Neal edges Toland for Deery checkers at Marshalltown

MARSHALLTOWN, IA (Aug. 15, 2006) – Terry Neal had never even seen Marshalltown Speedway before Tuesday evening’s Deery Brothers Summer Series event.

When the race was over, the view he enjoyed was from victory lane.

Neal passed race long leader Rob Toland on the 44th circuit, then held Toland at bay to the finish in winning the IMCA Sunoco Late Model 50 lapper.

Champions of the last two series, Neal and Toland were followed across the finish line by Eric Gustaf, current points leader Jeff Aikey and Darrel DeFrance.

Neal pocketed $2,000 for the victory, his third in the last five races, his fifth of the season and career 12th.

The third place showing was Gustaf’s best of the season. DeFrance extended his Deery streak to 297 consecutive events, in the first race held at his hometown track since the 2000 season.

Toland drew the pole start and shot to the lead ahead of Neal, with the frontrunners quickly into lapped traffic and using all lines on the multi groove track to negotiate through.

Multiple cautions kept the field together and Neal dogged Toland all the way, finally completing his pass for the lead with six laps left. Toland was unable to duplicate the maneuver, chasing Neal to the checkers a car length behind.

Gustaf took the initial green flag from the 11th starting spot and snuck past Aikey for third in the waning laps. Jeremy Grady was sixth and series newcomer Jeff Bair took seventh.

Boone McLaughlin and provisional starter Tom Darbyshire both moved up 11 places to finish ninth and 12th, respectively.

His local fans got the opportunity before the main event to salute DeFrance, who received a special trophy recognizing his 100th career weekly IMCA Late Model feature win. That victory came July 22 at Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City.

With 13 of 17 series events in the record book, Toland trails Aikey by 11 points. Neal is third, 36 points off the pace.

Next up on the Deery schedule is the Sunday, Sept. 3 show at Quincy, Ill., Raceway. Pit gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 5:45 p.m. and racing starts at 6:30 p.m.

The series headlines opening night action at the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals at Boone Speedway on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. Gates open at 10 a.m., hot laps are at 4 p.m. and racing gets underway at 5 p.m.

Wrapping up the 20th annual tour are shows Sunday, Sept. 10 at Quad City Speedway in East Moline, Ill., the 300th event in series history, and the $10,000 to win Pepsi USA Nationals at 34 Raceway in West Burlington on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16.

Feature Results –
1. Terry Neal, Ely;
2. Rob Toland, Bettendorf;
3. Eric Gustaf, Moline, Ill.;
4. Jeff Aikey, Waterloo;
5. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown;
6. Jeremy Grady, Story City;
7. Jeff Bair, Solon;
8. Mike Murphy Jr., Colona, Ill.;
9. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis;
10. Andy Nezworski, Buffalo;
11. Sam Halstead, New London;
12. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun;
13. Jason Hahne, Webster City;
14. Mike Smith, Jewell;
15. Greg Kastli, Waterloo;
16. Robby Warner, Quincy, Ill.;
17. LaVern Carey, Ionia;
18. Ben Nading, Ankeny;
19. Matt Ryan, Davenport;
20. Jerry Dedrick, Vinton;
21. Johnny Johnson, West Burlington;
22. Kelly Tapper, Boone;
23. Jay Johnson, West Burlington;
24. Gary Webb, Blue Grass.
1st heat (top four) – 1. DeFrance; 2. Jay Johnson; 3. Gustaf; 4. Murphy. 2nd heat – 1. Bair; 2. Hahne; 3. Grady; 4. Warner. 3rd heat – 1. Aikey; 2. Toland; 3. Nezworski; 4. Halstead. 4th heat – 1. Neal; 2. Webb; 3. Kastli; 4. Carey. 1st “B” feature (top three) – 1. Johnny Johnson; 2. Ryan; 3. Tapper. 2nd “B” feature – 1. Smith; 2. McLaughlin; 3. Nading.