By Greg Soukup
EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 5, 2026) — Landon Thompson led every official lap of Saturday night’s RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car qualifying feature at Eagle Raceway, securing his place in Sunday’s Big Dance during night three of the 14th annual RaceSaver Nationals.
After 12 heats, two D Features, two C Features, and two B Features, the Sprint Cars were brought out for the 25-lap main event that would determine the second nine cars transferring to Sunday’s championship feature.
The first attempt at a start saw Ryan Padgett spin in turn four, sending him into the wall and tipping the No. 98P onto its left side. Padgett was not injured but would have to wait until Sunday for another opportunity to race his way into the Big Dance.
Once the race officially got underway, Thompson put the No. 31W out front on lap one with Brandon Horton second, Hunter Hanson third, and Michael Day fourth.
The top four remained unchanged until four circuits remained, when Trevor Grossenbacher got around Day to take fourth. Two laps later, Grossenbacher passed Hanson for third.
Other than the mishap on the initial start, the race went straight through to the checkers with Thompson scoring the victory. Horton finished second, Grossenbacher third, Hanson fourth, and Day fifth.
Cole Wayman finished sixth, Braxton Weger seventh, Jacob Harris eighth, and Brandon Bosma charged from 15th to ninth as all nine secured starting positions in Sunday’s Big Dance.
Bubak Doubles Up With Race of Champions Win
The nightcap was the Race Jugs Race of Champions, bringing together past and present track champions, IMCA national champions, and RaceSaver Nationals winners.
Jake Bubak took off from the outside of the front row and led the opening lap. Gunnar Pike settled into second while the battle developed behind them. Bubak began encountering heavy lapped traffic around lap 15, allowing Pike to cut a straightaway advantage down to only a few car lengths.
Bubak wasn’t to be denied and held on for his second victory in as many nights after also winning Friday’s qualifying feature. Pike finished second, Cole Vanderheiden charged from ninth to third, Jason Danley was fourth, and Lee Goos Jr. completed the top five.
Borgman Survives Caution-Filled SportMod Feature
Lance Borgman led the opening lap of the Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMod feature before Theron Ahlman took the lead on lap two. Borgman came right back to regain the top spot one circuit later as Cole Wayman advanced to third.
Wayman moved past Ahlman following a restart and into second, but Borgman continued to hold the point through a succession of cautions. Several late incidents kept erasing any breathing room Borgman could build, including a caution with three laps remaining and another on the ensuing restart.
Borgman survived them all and took the checkers ahead of Wayman and Ahlman. Jacob Swanson charged from 10th to fourth, while Luke Williams came from 13th to complete 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 3 of the Boone Docuseries, now streaming exclusively on IMCA TV.