Sprint Car Archives

Danley Breaks Through for RaceSaver Nationals Crown at Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 6, 2026) — After years of trying, Joey Danley finally reached the top of the mountain at Eagle Raceway, capturing his first RaceSaver Nationals championship in Sunday night’s $14,000-to-win Big Dance. Danley took command with eight laps remaining in the 35-lap championship feature and survived late-race drama to secure the biggest victory of his career at the Nebraska oval. The win came in his 13th attempt at capturing the RaceSaver Nationals crown. Twenty-seven Sprint Cars lined up three-wide for the championship event, with Jake Bubak taking the early lead ahead of Tyler Drueke, Danley, and Brandon Horton. Drueke worked his way around Bubak on lap 10 to take command, while Danley remained in contention. Danley moved past Bubak for second on lap 22 and set his sights on Drueke. The battle for the $14,000 payday intensified as the laps wound down, and Danley made his move with eight circuits remaining to take the lead. Drueke remained in the hunt until three laps remained, when contact with the lapped car of [Read More]

Thompson Goes Flag-to-Flag in RaceSaver Nationals Qualifier at Eagle

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, [Read More]

Bubak Bests Drueke in Late-Race Battle at RaceSaver Nationals Qualifier

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 4, 2026) — Jake Bubak and Tyler Drueke traded the lead in the closing laps Friday night at Eagle Raceway before three-time event champion Bubak prevailed in the qualifying feature during night two of the 14th annual RaceSaver Nationals. The 25-lap feature set the first three rows of the three-wide starting grid for Sunday’s Big Dance, with the top nine finishers earning their places in the championship finale. Bubak took off from the pole to put the No. 74B in front on lap one, with Drueke, Trevor Serbus, and Tyler Knight hot on his push bumper. Colby Stubblefield passed Knight on lap two to move into fourth before a lap-six red flag slowed the action. Serbus passed Drueke for second on lap eight as Joey Danley moved into fourth. Serbus fell back rapidly the following lap, moving Drueke back to second and Stubblefield to third, while Danley advanced another position on lap 10. Drueke got around Bubak for the lead on lap 12, but Bubak reclaimed the spot the following [Read More]

369 Days Later, Bolden Captures RaceSaver Nationals Crown

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Sept. 3, 2026) — Last year’s RaceSaver Nationals was plagued by threats of poor weather. With the forecast worsening as the weekend drew closer, officials decided to run both the Friday and Saturday programs on Friday, leaving the finale for Saturday. Sadly, as the 27 Sprint Cars were on the track Saturday, a light drizzle began to fall. As the liquid sunshine became actual rain, the cars were pushed off in an attempt to save the racing surface. Mother Nature’s wrath eventually won out, and the call was made to postpone the 2025 finale until the Thursday festivities of the 2026 RaceSaver Nationals. Well, just 369 days later, the race finally took place Thursday at Eagle Raceway. Carson Bolden took advantage of his pole starting position to lead lap one, with Joey Danley second, Kevin Ramey third, and 2026 Eagle Raceway track champion Adam Gullion fourth. Ramey got past Danley on lap two to take second, while Gullion moved into third on lap six. Ethan Barrow slowed on lap 11, bringing [Read More]

Rucks Memorial Brings $1,000-to-Win Modified Showdown to Arlington on Sept. 19

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Sept. 4, 2026) — Arlington Raceway will host the Jeff Rucks Memorial for Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds on Saturday, Sept. 19, with $1,000 awaiting the winner. The event will also give the winner eligibility to attempt to qualify for the 2027 Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational during the Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s. Clint Hatlestad captured the Rucks Memorial victory in 2025, while Brandon Beckendorf won each of the previous three editions. The Modifieds will use a draw/redraw format. Also in action will be Sunoco IMCA Hobby Stocks, Mach-1 IMCA Sport Compacts, Karl Kustoms IMCA Northern SportMods, RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars, and Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the grandstands opening at 4 p.m. and racing beginning at 6 p.m. For additional information, contact Levi at 507-380-6998.

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Sept. 3, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, and William Gould, Calera, Okla., both 993; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 973; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 970; 5. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 963; 6. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 961; 8. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 959; 9. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 957; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 955; 11. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 944; 12. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 942; 13. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 939; 14. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 937; 15. Travis Hagen, McGregor, N.D., and Kollin Hibdon, Pahrump, Nev., both 934; 17. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 933; 18. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, both 932; 20. Donald Proctor, Ionia, Michigan, 930. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, and Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, both 982; 4. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 5. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., 974; 6. Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., 973; 7. Kelly Shryock, Fertile, [Read More]

Pessek Ends Three-Year Stock Car Drought at Arlington

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 29, 2026) — Three- and four-wide racing, four different leaders and a first trip to victory lane in three years made the Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature the highlight of Saturday night’s program at Arlington Raceway. Jed Trebelhorn led the field early before getting too high in turns three and four and slipping off the racing surface. Dave Moriarty inherited the lead, but Ryan Bjerkeset and Brent Uecker quickly joined the fight. For eight laps, Moriarty, Bjerkeset, and Uecker raced side-by-side and at times just inches apart. A caution eventually flew when Bjerkeset went off the track after spending several laps in second and headed to the pits. The restart only intensified the battle. Uecker and Moriarty were joined by Tim Pessek, while Trent Loverude, Dan Eckblad, Matt Speckman, and Dan Mackenthun were all within striking distance. Pessek emerged with the lead with three laps remaining and stayed there to the checkers for his first victory of the season in the EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region and his first trip [Read More]

Drueke Charges From 13th in Championship Showdown Thriller at Eagle

By Greg Soukup EAGLE, Neb. (Aug. 29. 2026) — Saturday was the Championship Showdown at Eagle Raceway, presented by Avid Realty and the Lincoln Stars. The night could only be described as “Jam Packed” as the largest crowd of the season showed up to see 147 cars compete in 28 races to determine who would leave America’s Home Track with the honor of being a 2026 points champion. Dan Nekolite led the opening circuit of the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Car feature before Brandon Horton took command on lap six. The championship battle took a dramatic turn on lap 11 when points leader Cole Wayman stopped in turn four with a broken left rear heim and went off on the hook. Horton continued to lead while Gene Ackland, Cole Vanderheiden and Tyler Drueke worked their way forward. Horton jumped the cushion and hit the turn two wall with just four laps left, moving Drueke into the lead. After starting 13th, Drueke held them off to win by nearly two seconds. It was the Eagle driver’s fifth victory [Read More]

Speedway Motors IMCA Weekly Racing National Point Standings through Aug. 27, 2026

Karl Kustoms IMCA Modifieds – 1. Spencer Diercks, Davenport, Iowa, 993; 2. William Gould, Calera, Okla., 991; 3. Todd Shute, Norwalk, Iowa, 971; 4. Jed Freiburger, Dubuque, Iowa, 965; 5. Jeremy Mills, Clear Lake, Iowa, 960; 6. Matthew Sanders, Brookings, Oregon, and Chaz Baca, Jewell, Iowa, both 958; 8. Tyler Bannister, Bakersfield, Calif., 955; 9. Ty Clemens, Belgrade, Montana, 951; 10. Kevin Williamson, Harrisburg, Oregon, 944; 11. Jace Eckrich, Oxford, Iowa, 942; 12. Cole Czarneski, Denmark, Wisconsin, 939; 13. Matthew Looft, Swea City, Iowa, 936; 14. Johnny Whitman, Suamico, Wisconsin, and Jake McBirnie, Boone, Iowa, both 932; 16. John Nord, Enderlin, N.D., 929; 17. Tyler Belcher, Laceyville, Pennsylvania, 925; 18. Trevor Fitz, Bondurant, Iowa, 921; 19. Jeffrey Reay, Portland, Michigan, 919; 20. Marcus Tomlinson, Turtle Lake, N.D., 918. Sunoco IMCA Stock Cars – 1. John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, Iowa, 992; 2. Blake Clark, Joshua, Texas, 982; 3. Cameron Starry, Robstown, Texas, 980; 4. Jason Batt, Harker Heights, Texas, 979; 5. Kyle Vanover, Beatrice, Neb., and Dan Mackenthun, Hamburg, Minn., both 971; 7. Kelly Shryock, [Read More]

Eckblad Emerges From Arlington Stock Car Battle

By Susan Allen ARLINGTON, Minn. (Aug. 22, 2026) — Three different drivers took turns out front before Daniel Eckblad emerged from a wild 20-lap Sunoco IMCA Stock Car feature Saturday night at Arlington Raceway. Matt Speckman led the opening circuits as Ryan Bjerkeset and A.J. Zimmerman joined him in three-wide racing near the front. Bjerkeset moved into the lead on lap three before Speckman regained the advantage two laps later. A caution gave Speckman another opportunity out front, with Bjerkeset and Tim Pessek joining him in side-by-side racing around the track. The race was stopped near halfway when Brent Uecker’s car experienced a small fire. Bjerkeset took advantage of the ensuing restart to regain the lead, but Eckblad was making his way forward from the 11th starting position. The St. Peter driver hugged the bottom of the track to work his way into the top spot, then held off the competition over the final six laps to take the checkered flag. It was Eckblad’s second EQ Cylinder Heads Northern Region victory of the season, with both [Read More]