WEST LIBERTY, Iowa — The Muscatine County Fair kicked off its 2026 run with an evening of stock car racing.
The victory lane celebrations looked a lot like 2025, with two repeat winners across the five classes.
Karl Chevrolet Premier Late Model Tour returned to West Liberty Raceway with a familiar face in the winner’s circle. Nick Marolf won in ’25, leading only the last two laps. This year Marolf left no doubt, leading all 20 laps for the win.
Series point leader Matt Ryan chased Marolf around the big half-mile, but would finish a distant second. Justin Duty driving Marolf’s second car finished third. Fred Remley fought his way to a fourth place finish, followed by Luke Pestka.
The West Liberty Auto Parts – IMCA Modifieds also saw a repeat winner. Spencer Diercks took the lead after a lap six restart and led the rest of the way to the checkers. Early race leader Dan Brockert finished second. Jared Eckrich, Kurt Kile, and Jace Eckrich rounded out the top five.
The Aupp Automotive- IMCA SportMod feature had three different leaders throughout the 12 laps of the main. Justin Schroeder led lap one before yielding to Shaun Slaughter. Slaughter led until the race’s first caution at lap six. After the restart, Jarrett Franzen grabbed the top spot and never looked back. Slaughter held on for second. Bryson Eckrich took third. Trey Rock and Schroeder finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
David Brandies captured the win in the Brothers Towing/DeVore Towing/Midtown Towing – IMCA Stock Car feature. Brandies led all but the first lap of the race. Greg Gill raced to second, but had nothing for the winner. Lap one leader Dustin Vis was third. Johnny Spaw came from deep in the field to fourth. Matt Picray took fifth.
Austin Honts held off Duke Fulton and Mike Hulsing to win the Midwest Jalopies feature.
