By Mike McGuire
DAVENPORT, Iowa (Oct. 10, 2026) — Jace Eckrich’s $1,000 Karl Kustoms IMCA Modified victory highlighted the second and final night of the Davenport Dirt Stars at Davenport Speedway.
The two-night program featured plenty of action after Friday morning showers left the racing surface fast and challenging for competitors.
Eckrich wasted little time getting to the front in Saturday’s feature, charging from third to lead the opening circuit.
Jason Schueller moved ahead on lap two, but Eckrich answered the following time around and regained command. He controlled the remainder of the feature and crossed the finish line with a two-second advantage. Jace Whitt finished second for the second consecutive night, while Friday winner Brandon Durbin was third. Matt Werner finished fourth, and Shane Paris rounded out the top five.
The victory was also a qualifier for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Modified Invitational, putting Eckrich on the eligibility list to attempt to qualify at next September’s Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Friday’s 20-lap Modified feature took a toll on both drivers and equipment. Durbin avoided the trouble after getting out front early and managed his advantage as several contenders dropped from the race.
Whitt mounted a late charge but could not get into position to make a move for the lead, allowing Durbin to secure the victory. Whitt finished a close second, followed by Eckrich, Werner, and Bill Roberts Jr.
Butt Bounces Back From Friday Heartbreak for Hobby Stock Victory
Carson Butt rebounded from a heartbreaking finish Friday night to capture Saturday’s Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stock feature.
Butt started seventh and worked his way through the field before taking command on lap 11. Friday winner Matt Bennett made a late charge of his own, racing from seventh to second over the final two circuits, but Butt stayed out front to secure the victory. Jordan Miles finished third, followed by Kael Koch and Tristan Wenig.
Friday’s feature produced a dramatic final lap between Bennett and Butt. The pair battled throughout the race before Butt got too aggressive while challenging on the final circuit and spun into the infield in turn two.
Bennett went on to collect his first Davenport victory of the season. Randy LaMar was credited with second, with Karter Miles third, Koch fourth, and Solomon Bennett fifth.
Laymon Edges Eckrich in SportMod Thriller
Levi Laymon collected his first Davenport victory in Friday’s Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature after holding off a late charge from Bryson Eckrich.
Eckrich closed on Laymon in the final laps, but Laymon held him off by half a car length in the closest finish of the night. Dakota Cole finished third, followed by Ben Chapman and Colton Laymon.
Chapman returned Saturday and controlled the Northern SportMod feature from the front row, leading every lap. Jarrett Franzen provided the late excitement with a charge from 10th to second but ran out of laps before he could track down Chapman.
Eckrich finished third, Finn Oppenheimer was fourth, and Friday winner Laymon completed the top five.
Richards Pulls Away for Saturday Stock Car Victory
Braden Richards of Madrid took command of Saturday’s Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature and pulled away from David Brandies and Jordan Miles to secure the victory.
Brandies finished second and Miles was third, with Kodey Miles fourth and John Oliver Jr. fifth.
Brandies captured Friday’s feature after getting around Scotty Pratt for the lead on the opening circuit. He remained in command for the rest of the race despite pressure from Oliver, who emerged as his primary challenger before mechanical trouble ended his night.
Pratt recovered to finish second, followed by Richards, Pat Rachels, and Jack Hockaday.
The event was broadcast live on IMCA TV. Catch every lap again with the IMCA TV Replay Subscription, available for just $25.99/month. Don’t miss Season 3 of The Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.
