Eckrich boys take Muscatine County Fair races
Spaw, Fulton and Benischek also win
by Mike McGuire
WEST LIBERTY, Ia. (July 21, 2021) – Stock car racing headlined the opening day of the Muscatine County Fair. Five classes took to the West Liberty big half-mile track.
Andy Eckrich was the victor in the IMCA Late Model feature. Andy passed early race leader Matt Ryan on lap five of the thirty-lap main. Andy led the remaining laps en route to the win. Nick Marolf started eighth, but advanced to finish in the second position. Ryan held on for third followed by Jonathan Brauns and Gary Webb.
The race was to be a family battle between Andy Eckrich and brother Dave. Dave’s car developed mechanical issues before the green flag dropped. He had to start at the tail of the field and recovered to finish sixth.
Denny Eckrich dominated in the IMCA Modified main. Denny drew the pole after his heat race and led flag to flag for the win. Kurt Kile gave chase throughout the race, but would have to settle for second. Chris Zogg took third, well ahead of Derek Walker in fourth and Eric Pollard fifth.
An early race caution set the stage for Matt Fulton to take the win in the IMCA Sport Mod feature. Maguire DeJong and Logan Anderson were running 1-2 when they tangled coming out of turn two on the third lap. Fulton took off on the restart and led the rest of the way to the checkers. Tim Plummer started in the fifth row, followed Fulton to the front, but could not make a pass for the lead. Ryan Walker started third and finished third. Anderson and DeJong came back from their early entanglement to finish fourth and fifth respectively.
Johnny Spaw took the trophy in the IMCA Stock Car class. Spaw won both the heat and feature. David Brandies had two runner-up finishes. Pat Rachels had two thirds.
Jake Benischek took the win in the Sport Compact main. Jake took the lead from Cody Montgomery after a lap five restart. Montgomery was second followed by Alex Hayes. Ashley Rueman and Rachel Kile rounded out the top five.
The next event for the West Liberty Raceway will be Friday, August 20th, when the “Haulin with Hoker” SLMR East Series comes to town. Modifieds will be racing for $1,000-to-win. SportMods will compete for a $500 top prize. The American Iron Racing Series and Midwest Jalopies will also appear.
Results:
Muscatine County Fair Races
July 21, 2021 –
IMCA Late Models
Heat #1: 1. Dave Eckrich; 2. Nick Marolf; 3. Jonathan Brauns; 4. Gary Webb; 5. Don Christisen;
Heat #2: 1. Andy Eckrich; 2. Matt Ryan; 3. Jacob Waterman; 4. Kyle Krampe; 5. Ron Boyse;
Feature: 1. Andy Eckrich; 2. Nick Marolf; 3. Matt Ryan; 4. Jonathan Brauns; 5. Gary Webb; 6. Dave Eckrich; 7. Ron Boyse; 8. Jacob Waterman; 9. Don Christisen; 10. Kyle Krampe; 11. Anthony Haines; 12. Jenna Johnson;
IMCA Modifieds
Heat #1: 1. Kurt Kile; 2. Jarrett Brown; 3. Dalton Simonsen; 4. Justin Schroeder; 5. Denny Eckrich;
Heat #2: 1. Derrick Stewart; 2. Chris Zogg; 3. Terry Rentfro; 4. Eric Pollard; 5. Derek Walker;
Feature: 1. Denny Eckrich; 2. Kurt Kile; 3. Chris Zogg; 4. Derek Walker; 5. Jarrett Brown; 6. Eric Pollard; 7. Brandon Banks; 8. Terry Rentfro; 9. Jeff Waterman; 10. Josh Geigle; 11. Jordan Walker; 12. Derrick Stewart; 13. Dalton Simonsen; 14. Dan Hahn; 15. Rick Husmann; (1-DNS)
IMCA SportMods
Heat #1: 1. Matt Fulton; 2. Maguire DeJong; 3. Ryan Walker; 4. Nick Aupperle; 5. Justin Schroeder;
Heat #2: 1. Logan Anderson; 2. Tim Plummer; 3. Dustin Schram; 4. Trey Rock; 5. Levi Heath;
Feature: 1. Matt Fulton; 2. Tim Plummer; 3. Ryan Walker; 4. Logan Anderson; 5. Maguire DeJong; 6. Trey Rock; 7. Nick Aupperle; 8. Dustin Schram; 9. Scott Brau; 10. Mike Clausen; 11. Kevin Goben; 12. Justin Schroeder; 13. Kevin Rasdon; 14. Levi Heath; 15. Tim Fredericks; 16. Nick Mosier; 17. Kyle Sturtz; 18. Michael Bear;
IMCA Stock Cars
Heat #1: 1. Johnny Spaw; 2. David Brandies; 3. Pat Rachels; 4. Austin Kemper; 5. Matt Picray;
Feature: 1. Johnny Spaw; 2. David Brandies; 3. Pat Rachels; 4. Shaun Bistline; 5. Matt Picray;
IMCA Sport Compacts
Heat #1: 1. Cody Staley; 2. Jake Benischek; 3. Jacob Smith; 4. Rachel Kile; 5. Brad Havel;
Heat #2: 1. Cody Montgomery; 2. Alex Hayes; 3. Ashley Reuman;
Feature: 1. Jake Benischek; 2. Cody Montgomery; 3. Alex Hayes; 4. Ashley Rueman; 5. Rachel Kile; 6. Brodrick Wittmann; 7. Jacob Smith; 8. Cody Staley; (3-DNS)
Category: Iowa
