WEST LIBERTY, Iowa – Stock car racing headlined the opening day of the Muscatine County Fair at West Liberty Raceway Wednesday, with five classes taking to the half-mile dirt track.
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Andy Eckrich was the victor in the IMCA Late Model feature. Eckrich passed early race leader Matt Ryan on lap five of the thirty-lap main. Eckrich 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 Eckrich’s car developed mechanical issues before the green flag waved. He had to start at the tail of the field and recovered to finish sixth.
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Denny Eckrich dominated in the IMCA Modified main. Denny Eckrich 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.