Aikey collects Sunoco bonus on record night at Indee

Results

Jeff Aikey took the opening night IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature win and took home the $250 Sunoco Race Fuels bonus given Saturday at Independence Motor Speedway. (IMCA Photo)

By Jerry Mackey

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (May 23) – One of Independence Motor Speedway’s winningest drivers went home with a bonus following his latest checkered flag run, on a record setting opening night. 

The headliner of the night was the 25-lap IMCA Sunoco Late Model feature. Jeff Aikey drew the pole position and went on to drive the Rick Dralle-owned no. 77 to a comfortable win. The race went flag to flag with Aikey taking the win and first $250 Sunoco Race Fuels bonus of the season over Eric Pollard and Sean Johnson. 

Saturday mid-day rains made for very challenging conditions at Indee but thanks to the never say die attitude of co-promoter Justin Temeyer, the new season got underway on Saturday night with­out fans in attendance due to the Covid-19 restrictions. The record 161 drivers in attendance gave a very big shout out to Temeyer and partner Mick Trier for making the racing happen. 

Aikey also sat on the pole for the IMCA Modified main event, but Troy Cordes had his 71C ma­chine dialed in, raced from a third row start and overtook Aikey and cruised on to the win ahead of Jordan Hicks and Darin Duffy.  

It was an all Murty front row in the IMCA Sunoco Stock Car main event. The elder of the two, Da­mon Murty fought off the challenges of his son Dallon early before Steve Meyer snuck between the two. Damon went on to get to the checkers first ahead of Meyer and Dallon Murty.  

Tony Olson shot to the high side on the very fast track in the Karl Kustoms Northern SportMod main from his second row start and took the lead from pace setter Kip Siems. Olson scored the opening night win ahead of Jayden Schmidt, who made the long tow from Seymour, WI. Siems rounded out the top three on opening night.  

Kaden Reynolds established himself as a driver to be reckoned with in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock division. Reynolds took the action packed win over Billy Rhodes and Tyler Ollendieck. 

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