Brodee Eckerdt of Grand Forks is in his third year of stock-car racing but he’s already set a pretty lofty goal.
“I’m trying to beat my dad in feature wins,” Eckerdt said last Friday. “He has 97, and I have two.”
The 14-year-old drives the #B2 IMCA Hobby Stock at Norman County Raceway and Red River Valley Speedway weekly. Both tracks host their season championships this week.
Brodee’s dad is long-time Grand Forks-area racer Bobby Eckerdt, who raced in the super stocks and modifieds.
“He helps me a lot,” Eckerdt said.
Brodee Eckerdt picked up his first career win on June 5 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo. He started on the inside pole.
“I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to drive my race and not spin it out or anything,’” Eckerdt said. “I got spun out on the first lap and got my spot back.”
A few minutes later, he had his feature career feature win, leading the rest of the way. Ironically, his first go-kart win came in West Fargo as well.
“It was my second night in the car,” Eckerdt said. “I was like, ‘how did that happen?’”
His second career win came last Friday, Aug. 21, at RRVS. He started fifth on the field and was patient running a higher line and eventually got past Brad Orvedal of Fargo and held on for the victory.
“I just ran as high as I could,” Eckerdt said. “The car ran really good.”
Eckerdt may be new to the hobby stocks, but isn’t a rookie to racing. At age 12, he started racing in the Wissota Street Stock class and did so for two years. He described those first two years as “a little rough.” It was a learning experience.
“Not to spin out and look in front of you,” Eckerdt said.
This season, he set a goal of finishing the races, and he’s not only done that all but once — but he’s finished in the top five several times, including the two wins.
He’s only had one DNF this season and has nine top five finishes in 14 starts in his IMCA Hobby stock. Eckerdt leads the points — by one point — over Tanner Engen at Red River Valley Speedway heading into Friday’s season championship.
“It’s been pretty good,” Eckerdt said. “I’ve been getting top fives.”
He’s also fourth in the points at NCR, where he has seven top fives in eight features heading into
Eckerdt has also brought out his Wissota Street Stock on three occasions this season. But his primary focus this season has been on getting seat time in the IMCA Hobby Stock.
“I’m trying to get more comfortable and learning. I’m getting there.
Driver Profile
Brodee Eckerdt
IMCA Hobby Stock #B2
Age: 14
Residence: Grand Forks, N.D.
Sponsor: Gateway Cenex
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