BROWN IS SURPRISE WINNER AT THUNDER HILL GARST MEMORIAL
By Troy Harrison
It was a result Don Garst would have loved. The late flagman, who always enjoyed seeing a variety of winners and rooted for the underdog, was smiling somewhere as Derrick Brown emerged a surprise winner of the feature race that bore his name. Brown, the $1000 winner in the BSB Manufacturing IMCA Modified feature, was joined in Victory Lane by Kyle Vanover (Heinen Repair Service IMCA Stock Cars), Kyle Olberding (Kansas National Guard IMCA NorthernSport Mods), and Brandon Johnson (BuyRaceParts.com IMCA Hobby Stocks).
The front row for the BSB IMCA Modified $1000 to win feature looked pretty Brown at the green, as Derrick Brown on the pole was flanked by Scott Brown. Scott has previously won Thunder Hill IMCA Modified features; Derrick had not. The younger Brown, however, was not to be denied as he streaked out to the lead from his pole starting position and never looked back on his way to the biggest win of his career. Behind him, defending National Champion Jordan Grabouski was working his way forward from his 10th starting post, but finding the going tough. Fellow fifth-row starter Bryan Rigsby was pushing forward as well. The twosome were able to get past everyone but Brown’s quick #63, and at the finish, Brown was the big winner followed by Grabouski, Rigsby, Nic Bidinger, and Great Bend resident Jesse Richter.
Kyle Vanover has been the man to beat in the Heinen Repair Service IMCA Stock Cars this year, and so far no one has been able to beat him. Vanover continued to run the table Saturday night, picking up the extra money put up by BuyRaceParts.com and the feature win. He was chased by fellow Nebraskan Tyler Phelps, who settled for second. Phelps was followed by Jim Powell Jr., Eric Weyer, and Greg Deters.
Xtreme Motor Sports put up extra bucks for the Kansas National Guard IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature, and Kyle Olberding and Bryan LaRiviere were both determined to win it. LaRiviere, last year’s IMCA Northern Sport Mod National Champion, took the fight to Olberding, who is mounting a strong defense of his 2011 track title. The two battled as they did two weeks ago, but this week, the result was different. Olberding took the checkered with LaRiviere following, while Eddie Schwope Jr. continued to return to form with a third place finish. Fourth went to Tyler Sutton, with Jesse Shotts rounding out the top five.
The Garst family also put up extra bucks for the BuyRaceParts.com IMCA Hobby Stock feature, and it brought the biggest field of the season in this class. The battle ended up being between two Nebraskans, with Brandon Johnson prevailing over Adam Armstrong. Waylon Banks had his best run of the year with a third place finish, with Ryan Gilland fourth and Tyler Garst taking a well deserved fifth.
The Xtreme Motor Sports Clash on the Hill continues Saturday Night, May 26. Gates open at 5:00 PM, driver’s meeting at 6:30, hotlaps and races to follow. Adult General Admission is $10.00, kids 12 and under are free. Coolers are allowed (Canned beer only – no glass bottles) for a $10 charge. Pitpasses are $25.00.
Thunder Hill Speedway is located at 11995 NW 142nd Road (2 miles West ofUS-75 on NW 142nd Road), in Mayetta, KS. For more information, please visit www.racethunderhillspeedway.com.
