Harker Steals Modified Thriller on Final Corner at Eagle

Hobby Stock, Modified, News, Northern SportMod, Results, Sprint Car, Stock Car

Shawn Harker celebrates in victory lane after scoring a dramatic last-lap victory in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature on July 18 during the Duel in the Dirt at Eagle Raceway. The Nebraska City driver charged from 12th starting to edge Adam Wasserman by just 0.04 seconds for his second straight victory, third Jet Racing Central Region win of the season and third Eagle Raceway triumph of 2026. (Photo by Joe Orth Photography)

By Greg Soukup

EAGLE, Neb. (July 18, 2026) — Oppressive heat pushed the start of Saturday’s Duel in the Dirt at Eagle Raceway back one hour, but the wait proved worthwhile as Shawn Harker used a last-corner slider to win the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature by just 0.04 seconds.

Brandon Verbeek led the opening six laps before Nate Thompson moved past him for the top spot on lap seven. Adam Wasserman continued his march toward the front, taking third on lap 10 and then moving around Verbeek for second.

Wasserman wrestled the lead away from Thompson with five laps remaining while 12th-starting Harker continued working forward. Harker moved into fourth with three to go before a pair of late cautions set up a green-white-checkered finish.

Harker passed Thompson on the first restart before another caution restacked the field. Bob Zoubek moved into third when racing resumed, but all eyes were on the battle for the win.

Coming through turn four for the final time, Harker threw a slider on Wasserman and beat him to the checkered flag by just four-hundredths of a second. The Nebraska City driver earned his second consecutive victory and third Jet Racing Central Region win of the season, with all three coming at Eagle.

Harker also earned hard charger honors with his run from 12th to first. Wasserman finished second after starting sixth, Zoubek advanced from fifth to third, Clint Homan climbed from seventh to fourth, and Thompson completed the top five.

Richards Sweeps Past Leaders for First Stock Car Win

Casey Woken led the opening circuits of the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature as Chad Andersen, Jakob Boucher, and R.J. Macku battled behind him.

Andersen moved into second on lap three before Kyle Vanover worked his way into third on lap five. Several cautions kept the field close, and Dillon Richards continued advancing from his 10th starting position.

Richards moved into third with nine laps remaining and remained within striking distance through two late restarts. He got a huge run exiting turn two on the final lap, sweeping past both Andersen and Woken to score the victory by just under half a second.

The Beatrice driver earned the win after moving from the Hobby Stock division last year and collected his fourth EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season. Two of those wins have come at Eagle Raceway.

Woken finished second, Andersen was third, Vanover advanced from eighth to fourth, and Macku completed the top five. Nate Thompson earned hard charger honors by racing from 19th to ninth.

Drueke Charges From 12th for Second Straight Sprint Victory

Alex Salzman led the opening lap of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature before Trefer Waller moved into second on lap two.

A lap-10 caution followed contact involving Taelynne Roberts and Justin Bolte. Waller took command on the restart, but Salzman used a crossover move to regain the lead on lap 12.

Waller reclaimed the top spot one lap later before another caution brought out the cone restart. Tyler Drueke moved into second when racing resumed and then drove around Waller for the lead.

Adam Gullion advanced to second with seven laps remaining, while Gaige Weldon and Cole Wayman also worked their way into the top four. Drueke held off Gullion through the closing circuits to earn his second consecutive victory.

The Eagle driver raced from 12th to collect his fourth win of the season, with three coming at Eagle Raceway.

Gullion earned hard charger honors with a charge from 17th to second. Weldon advanced from 11th to third, Wayman climbed from 10th to fourth, and Waller finished fifth after leading during the second half of the race.

Carter Navigates Cautions for Hobby Stock Victory

The Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature got off to a rough start when a six-car incident occurred in turns three and four on the opening circuit.

Once a lap was completed, Dave Carter led Brandon Fisher, Tanner Dowty and Jordan Ball. The race was slowed by several more cautions, but Carter remained in control as positions changed repeatedly behind him.

Eric Chab worked his way through the field to second, while Trenton Dowty and Neil Pella also charged toward the front. Carter held them off through the final restart to earn his first B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region victory of the season.

The Fremont driver started fifth and led the top five across the stripe. Chab stormed from 17th to second to earn hard charger honors, Trenton Dowty advanced from 11th to third, Pella raced from 16th to fourth, and Tanner Dowty completed the top five.

Swanson Holds Off Late SportMod Challenge

The Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature was slowed when Trevor Noonan spun during the initial start.

Robert Draper led the opening lap before Jacob Swanson moved past Nick Morris and then took the lead. Aiden Floyd worked his way into second on lap six, while Cole Wayman and Noah Williams joined the battle near the front.

The top three staged a furious fight over the closing laps, but Swanson maintained the lead to earn the second victory of his career and first since 2021.

The Lincoln driver started fourth and collected his first win of the season. Floyd earned hard charger honors by charging from 12th to second, Wayman advanced from 11th to third, Williams climbed from 10th to fourth, and Draper rounded out the top five.

The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV affiliate Advantage Racing TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. And don’t miss Season 2 of the Boone Docuseries, streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.

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