By Greg Soukup
EAGLE, Neb. (Aug. 22, 2026) — As Creedence Clearwater Revival once sang, and as Anthony Ainsle often says, “Nighttime is the Right Time,” and both rang true Saturday night as the Eagle Shootout took center stage at Eagle Raceway.
Brad Schreiner led the opening lap of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature before Tyler Hendrickson moved to the front on lap three. Hendrickson remained in command through a lap 11 caution, but former Eagle track champion Joey Danley was ready to strike.
Danley, who started 10th, got a huge run on the restart and surged past Hendrickson for the lead. Cole Wayman worked his way into third, while Gaige Weldon charged from 19th to fourth. Danley stayed out front the rest of the way to earn his third victory of the season and first at Eagle in 2026. Hendrickson finished second, Wayman was third, Weldon fourth, and Tyler Drueke completed the top five.
Thompson Masters the Slick for Modified Triumph
Cameron Thompson jumped to the early lead in the Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified feature with Dustin Andersen, Arie Schouten, and Clint Homan in pursuit. A lap nine caution reset the field after Brandon Verbeek spun and collected point leader Chad Andersen.
Shawn Harker used the extreme top of the track to work his way forward from ninth and battled his way into the top four, but Thompson remained in control at the front. The Omaha driver took the checkers for his second Jet Racing Central Region victory of the season, with both coming at Eagle. Dustin Andersen finished second, Schouten was third, Harker fourth, and Adam Wasserman rounded out the top five.
Gimpel Ends Long Hobby Stock Win Drought
Zach Gimpel made his first Eagle Raceway victory in some time a memorable one in the Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Troy Dowty led the opening circuits before Gimpel took command on lap three. Several cautions kept the field within striking distance, but Gimpel stayed out front through the restarts. Dan Markham maintained second while Neil Pella worked his way forward late, taking third with two laps remaining.
Gimpel, of Aurora, crossed the stripe ahead of Markham, Pella, Eric Chab, and Trenton Dowty to become a first-time B&B Racing Chassis Northern Region winner this season. It was his first Eagle victory and first feature win since 2015.
Wayman Rallies From 12th for Sixth Eagle Win in SportMods
Four-time and defending Eagle track champion Cole Wayman charged from 12th to capture the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature.
Luke Williams inherited the lead after early trouble shuffled the running order and remained out front as Wayman steadily advanced. Wayman moved into third with nine laps remaining, took second two circuits later, and then capitalized on a restart with six to go by driving underneath Williams for the lead.
Wayman pulled away for a nearly four-second victory over Williams. Derek Hall finished third, Zane Woodman was fourth, and Aiden Floyd rounded out the top five. The victory was Wayman’s 10th of the season in the SportMods and sixth at Eagle.
Baker Strikes Late for First Win of 2026 in Stock Cars
Trevor Baker used patience and a late charge to score his first victory of the season in the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car finale.
R.J. Macku led from the pole before Adam Vrbka and Kyle Vanover began applying pressure. A late caution bunched the field, and Baker took advantage, charging to the lead with five laps remaining. Chad Andersen also worked forward late, advancing to third, while Vanover regained fourth on the final circuit.
Baker, of Lincoln, took the checkers ahead of Vrbka, Andersen, Vanover, and Macku and added his name to the list of EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region winners in 2026. It was Baker’s first victory since Championship Night at Eagle last season.
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.
