Belec dominates 1,000 Stars finale for IMCA career best payday

Feature, Hobby Stock, Modified, Northern SportMod, Stock Car

Eddie Belec led all 40 laps on his way to a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified career-best $5,000 payday at Hancock County Speedway’s Night of 1,000 Stars. (Photo by Scott Swenson)

By Chad Meyer

BRITT, Iowa (Aug. 10, 2024) – Eddie Belec had a DNQ and a rainout to show for his first visit to Hancock County Speedway.

He has a Friesen Performance IMCA Modified career-best $5,000 payday to show for his second.

The Colorado speedster led all 40 laps of Saturday’s Night of 1,000 Stars main event at Britt, the final event of IMCA Speed Week.

“This is huge. We’re lucky enough that we get to race with these guys a few times a year. I get to watch them a lot and see them win a lot of races,” he said from victory lane. “When you can come out and line up with them and win, it feels pretty good, for sure.”

“I had a few notes from last year and we did make some changes from Friday,” added Belec, who had run third in the opening night qualifier. “I knew we could make the car a little bit better because I knew the track was going to be a little bit different because of the 40-lap feature.”

Ethan Braaksma charged from 10th starting to second, finish six tenths of a second off the pace. Joel Rust, Izac Mallicoat and 18thstarting Jeff Aikey rounded out the top five.

Belec had taken charge from his outside row one start, chased by Tim Ward – who pulled into the infield on lap 16 – then Rust shortly after the restart.

He was cruising before the final caution, with seven circuits left. Braaksma passed Rust the next time around but couldn’t catch the leader, too.

“What I thought coming to the checkers was “finally, just finally,’” Belec said. “Ethan got one from us early in the season (at Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway) and that’s kind of stung all year because that was a big race. It felt really good to get one racing against these guys because they’re the best there is.”

Hard charger Nick Meyer started 23rd and finished seventh. Belec had already been eligible to qualify for the Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational. 

The top six from Friday’s main event were locked into the Saturday show and included Travis Hagen, Owen Barnhill, Belec, David Stremme, Kelly Shryock and Ward. 

IMCA Speed Week saw different winners in as many main events, Tom Berry Jr. at the Harris Clash, Dylan Thornton at the Clay County Clash, Ward at the Gene Schattschneider Memorial and Belec.

In the IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars on Saturday, Shryock quickly nabbed the top position and fended off Friday winner Heath Tulp.

Brandon Nielsen’s hot streak in the IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks continues as he bested Josh Sidles for the Night of 1,000 stars win.

Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMods competed during Friday’s show and saw Doug McCollough garner his first win of the season at Britt.

Night of 1000 Stars at the Hancock County Speedway was presented by Wessels Oil on Friday night, while Corteva AgriScience, Asmus Farm Supply and Sents Seed and Service sponsored the final night. 

Speed Week was broadcast by IMCA.TV.

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