KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Veteran late model racer Jeff Aikey won Saturday night’s Bob Maschmann Memorial for the Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series at Knoxville Raceway.
Tad Pospisil led early over Kyle Berck, Jake Neal, Aikey and Andrew Kosiski. Berck closed on the leader, until getting by on lap six and pulling away. Neal and Aikey found their way to second and third on the following lap.
Berck was lapping cars on the 13th circuit, while Aikey shot by Neal for second. Bill Leighton Jr., who started 13th, entered the top five on lap 14. Slowly, Aikey was gaining on the leader in traffic, and he passed Berck low in turn four with six laps to go.
At the time, you could throw a blanket over the top five in close action. Aikey continued to build his lead and won for the third career time here, while Leighton was the fastest late in the race, grabbing third with three to go and taking second with two to go.
Neal finished third, ahead of Berck and Pospisil.
Aikey’s win was worth $4,000, and a $2,500 bonus made his winning total $6,500.
“I’ve never sat in this seat,” said Aikey. “This is a dream come true to sit in this No. 16 car for Greg Bruening and this crew. I’m telling you what, what a badass hot rod! I’m 62 years old…I still got her daddy.”
The finish:
Feature (20 laps): 1. Jeff Aikey (6); 2. Bill Leighton Jr. (13); 3. Jake Neal (4); 4. Kyle Berck (1); 5. Tad Pospisil (2); 6. Tom Berry Jr (10); 7. Chad Holladay (7); 8. Andrew Kosiski (3); 9. Dylan Sillman (8); 10. JC Wyman (9); 11. Jason Hahne (12); 12. Jake Bridge (5); 13. Jeff Tharp (15); 14. CJ Horn (16); 15. Corey Zeitner (18); 16. Andy Eckrich (22); 17. Brian Kosiski (17); 18. Dave Eckrich (14); 19. Dylan Thornton (11); 20. Charlie McKenna (21); 21. Darrel DeFrance (19); 22. Curt Schroeder (20); 23. Curtis Glover (23); 24. Jeff Segebart (25); 25. Chris Spieker (24).