1987 - Aikey Wins ‘Red Baron Pizza 50’

 

Jeff Aikey won the IMCA Late Model Summer Series race at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Promoter Larry Kemp (left) and IMCA Race Directory Keith Knaack make the trophy presentation. – Jerry Mackey Photo

By Bill Haglund

Davenport, Iowa (August 18, 1987) – Current IMCA Late Model Summer Series point leader Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls ran the high side of the racetrack Tuesday night and captured the “Red Baron Pizza 50” on the quarter-mile at Davenport Speedway.

Aikey started on the fifth row but moved to the hide side of the track, picking off car after car in the 50-lap feature. Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., led most of the race and his battle with Aikey had the near-capacity crowd on its feet as the two drivers raced side-by-side, not giving an inch to the other.

However, Guss was forced to drop out with two laps remaining after he broke a tie rod. Gus ran several laps with the broken part and had slipped back to fifth when he finally called it a night.

That gave the victory to Aikey with Rick Wendling of Hazelton taking runner-up honors. Curt Martin of Independence was third followed by Jay Johnson of Wapello and hometown favorite Gary Webb rounding out the top-five.

Jim Willert won the IMCA modified feature at Davenport Speedway. IMCA Race Director Keith Knaack presents the checkers. – Jerry Mackey Photo

In the companion IMCA modified feature, Jim Willert of Davenport led all the way in the 20-lapper, but was challenged every lap by current IMCA Modified National Series point leader Shane Davis of Rock Island, Ill.

Davis, who started in the fifth row, eventually made his way up front and into second. But he was forced to stay there as Willert’s car began overheating and shooting water in the final laps of the race. Dan Chapman of Clarence finished third followed by Butch Cole of Kewanee, Ill., and Rick Wages of Davenport.

Steve Boley of LeClaire, Terry Gallaher of New London, Mo., Frank Springsteen of Morning Sun, and Aikey were late model heat winners. Rollie Frink of Davenport won the B-main.

IMCA modified heat winners were Jeff Morris of Eldridge, Steve Johnson of Camanche, Bob Schadt of Davenport, and Willert. Leland Bushong of Colona, Ill., and Bruce Hanford of Davenport were B-main winners.


Results –


IMCA Late Model –

1. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls
2. Rick Wendling, Hazelton
3. Curt Martin, Independence
4. Jay Johnson, Wapello
5. Gary Webb, Davenport
6. Steve Boley, LeClaire
7. Dale Fischlein, Independence
8. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown
9. Ted Pallister, Wapello
10.Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
11.Bill Breuer, Wapello
12.Rollie Frink, Davenport
13.Terry Gallaher, New London, Mo.
14.Ken Walton, Viola
15.Greg Hunter, Independence



IMCA Modified –

1. Jim Willert, Davenport
2. Shane Davis, Rock Island, Ill.
3. Dan Chapman, Clarence
4. Rick Cole, Kewanee, Ill.
5. Rick Wages, Davenport
6. Jerry Conners, Bettendorf
7. Leland Bushong, Colona, Ill.
8. Bruce Hanford, Davenport
9. Steve Johnson, Camanche
10.Rick Cox, Davenport