Catchfence

If you have the chance to catch the NASCAR Camping World East Series race next Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, do so.

It might be your best chance to see one of NASCAR’s rising stars in action on a smaller scale before he eventually moves up to the big time.

Brian Ickler is more than just one of the top stars in the East Series, he is also someone who has commanded the attention of a few larger race teams. Ickler, a Californian in his second year driving for his self-owned CWES team, also races occasionally for Billy Ballew Motorsports in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Ickler’s Ballew teammate is arguably the best driver in NASCAR today – Kyle “Rowdy” Busch. Ickler (pronounced “EYE-kler”) finished third behind winner Colin Braun and Busch in last Saturday’s Michigan 200 at Michigan International Speedway. He started that race on the pole, in just his fifth Truck Series start in the No.15 Toyota.

- The Republican