Brown rules ruts in IMCA Frostbuster opener

OSKALOOSA — At the IMCA Spring Extravaganza last Saturday at Lee County Speedway, Kyle Brown led more than half the Modified A-main, but came up second.

He rode behind Josh Foster and watched him navigate the ruts that had developed into Turn 1 and Turn 3. What he learned that night applied directly to the IMCA Frostbuster opener at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa on Wednesday night.

Brown led nearly the entire race starting from the pole, navigating deep ruts that had formed in both corners' entrances, holding off a charge from veteran racer Kelly Shryock for the victory.

Lesson learned, lesson applied.

'Following Josh, he taught me a bunch about how to get in through those holes, just the way you control the car,' Brown said. 'I learned that by the end of the race in Donnellson. I translated that to here, and it worked out well.

'I don't know if I could've come from 12th or something, the track was so treacherous, but it was fun. This car makes me look pretty good.'

With the soft dirt/clay mixture at Osky — that normally slicks off and dries up over the summer — due to all the moisture in the ground, Brown and the other racers were similarly understanding as they were last Saturday.

As much as learning how to navigate rough terrain in general, Brown said it helped that the way the ruts formed at Osky were very similar to those at Lee County. Having that lesson so fresh in his brain, and having a car that responded well to what he was trying to do made for a winner.

'It didn't chunk up as quick, but when it started peeling it had a lot of the same characteristics,' Brown said. 'Going last weekend, even though we tore up some equipment and didn't get the win, we learned some stuff that translated to tonight.'

Brown and Shryock had a good laugh about the race afterward in the tech area.

While at times getting all four wheels off the ground over the ruts, they also had a spirited battle for the win. Shryock showed his nose a few times, and had a run on Brown coming to the checkers. But a lapped car served as a pick for Brown, forced Shryock to slow and avoid, and freed up Brown for the win.

Shryock wasn't terribly disappointed, though. Having done this so many times, he knows a good race when he sees one, and said the Modifieds put on a good one.

'(A rough track is) to be expected (this time of year). They tried their best and we got the race in, so it worked out,' Shryock said. 'That last lap, we got a good run and the lapped cars got in the way there. He squeezed a little bit. What more could you ask for? If you're having fun racing, that's a good show for the fans. I thought I was going to be the spoiler, but it didn't work out.

'It was going to be a pretty good exit there.'

Brown had a similar reaction, adding he had a groomsman to thank for the help in ruling the ruts.

The lapped car driven by Tyler Groenedyk was the guy who served as the pick coming to the checkers, and also was in Brown's wedding.

'Last time I was leading and (Shryock) was second, he passed me and beat me. He had a good run that last lap, and if those lapped cars were there I probably would've ended up second again,' Brown said. 'One of them was in my wedding. I think it was Groenedyk. He gave me a little pick there. I don't know if he meant to, but he did it.'

STANTON OK AFTER NASTY WRECK

The IMCA Hobby Stock Frostbuster A-Main Wednesday night at Southern Iowa Speedway served as a stark reminder to drivers and fans of how important safety equipment is for local racing and racecar drivers.

In a race won by Agency's Nick Ulin, Carlisle driver Eric Stanton went for an end-over-end tumble down the back stretch early in the race. Stanton was able to walk away from the heap that served as what was left of his No. 7b — thanks mostly to his containment seat and Victory Chassis, he said.

Stanton said he remembered fellow driver Mike Kincaid getting off track, and when coming back on Kincaid clipped Stanton in the right rear. Stanton's left rear tire came off the rim, it dug into the ground and up and over he went. Being able to walk away none the worse for wear was not lost on him.

'It could've been worse. I'm good to go, thankfully. Victory Chassis builds our cars, and the halo (above the seat) didn't move. That's why we spend $3,000 on a chassis,' Stanton said. 'I didn't think having a containment seat was a big deal until I flipped one about 10 years ago at Boone.

'If you're racing, get one of those seats. Don't go for a $10 seat or anything like that; nothing used. Buy a good seat, get it made to you and not a generic seat. If you're going to do it, do it right.'

Marengo's Nathan Ballard finished fourth in the race after starting 17th, and had full view of the wreck, which happened essentially right in front of him.

Ballard said he was happy to see Stanton walk away, and it gave him something to think about under red flag conditions. Some things are more important, he said.

'I was pretty close to it. He went end over end. I was within striking distance, but turned hard to the left to miss him,' Ballard said. 'That one there was pretty scary to see, a Hobby Stock getting so far in the air like that. I'm glad he's all right.

'When you're sitting there, it makes you think. It's nice to go home (safe) to your family. This is just a hobby. We've got to be safe out there.'

IMCA FROSTBUSTER RESULTS

IMCA Modified

1. 21k Kyle Brown, Kellogg; 2. 3 Kelly Shryock, Fertile; 3. 10c Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 4. 96rc RC Whitwell, Tucson, Ariz.; 5. 4tw Tim Ward, Gilbert, Ariz.; 6. 7sr Richie Gustin, Gilman; 7. 27w Jason Wolla, Ray, N.D.; 8. 70 Jesse Dennis, Prescott; 9. 77 Kurt Kile, Nichols; 10. 48j Jason Murray, Hartford.

IMCA Stock Car

1. 14 Derrick Agee, Moberly, Mo.; 2. 10cc Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 3. Damon Murty, Chelsea; 4. 19j Jay Schmidt Tama; 5. 11 Mike Hughes, Oskaloosa; 6. 35jw Casey Wouken, Norton, Kan.; 7. 97 Nathan Burke, Minot, N, D,; 8. 2n Donovan Nunnikhoven, Sully; 9. 10 Rod Snellenberger, Pulaski, Wis.; 10. 28 Greg Gill, Muscatine.

IMCA SportMod

1. 5k Kyle Prauner, Norfolk, Neb.; 2. 7 Carter VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa; 3. 19xx Brandon Spanjer, Crete, Neb.; 4. 20 Brandon Schmitt, Beaver Dam, Wis.; 5. 82 Jake McBirnie, Boone; 6. 0 Lucas Lamberies, Clintonbille, Wis.; 7. 777 Cody Olsen, Omaha, Neb.; 8. 72 Brett Lowry, Montezuma; 9. A5 Austin Paul, Monroe; 10. 8T Tony Johnson, Oskaloosa.

IMCA Hobby Stock

1. 21 Nick Ulin, Agency; 2. 4w John Watson, Des Moines; 3. 32t Bobby Greene, Tracy; 4. Nathan Ballard, Marengo; 5. 79 Benji Irvine, Oelwein; 6. 9d Dana Brandt, Minot, N.D.; 7. 42t Tyson Overton, Carlisle; 8. 27 Clint Nelson, Baxter; 9. 9h Kenny Hay, Des Moines; 10. 10g Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick.

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