Racer thrives in mini-stock class at I-76

Even though he might not be able to catch the points leaders, Brian Beard has proved his ability on the race track.

Beard of Greeley placed second in the mini-stocks race Saturday night at the I-76 Speedway in Fort Morgan. That effort followed a victory last week, his third mini-stock victory of the summer. He also has two second places this summer in his '83 Toyota Celica.

"It's been great thus far," Beard said. "Every night it's been competitive, and lately the car count has been picking up. It's been pretty fun."

Also Saturday night at I-76, Todd Descamps of Greeley earned fifth in the modified competition.

In his fifth-year of racing mini-stocks, Beard expected to be competitive this season. Because he missed a race earlier in the summer, however, the lost points will limit a push for the top spot at I-76. On Saturday, Wayne Kaiser, of Fort Morgan, edged him at the finish line.

"(Missing) just one out there puts you about 40 points behind," Beard said. "When you're only making up a few points a week, you really can't do it in this class."

A top two or three finish in the class should continue to drive him.

Beard's racing career began eight years ago in go-karts, and Beard admitted he inflicted some wear and tear on his first mini-stock car before finding the necessary set-up and handling.

"As I went along and got a little better at it, I don't tear up as much stuff," he said.

Beard's aspirations, however, go beyond the mini-stock class. Wanting to make a step up in class, he recently purchased a modified car and is preparing it for competition this season. Within a couple weeks, Beard said he hopes to test the e-mod.

About a year and a half ago, Beard began studying the other classes and recognized the e-mods are a growing and up-and-coming group at I-76. Once he gets his e-mod in good running, Beard said running mini-stocks will happen occasionally in favor of e-mods.

That said, he'll enjoy the remaining mini-stock races he has ahead of him.

"We're kind of the low man on the totem pole out there, but it's a great group of guys I race against," Beard said. "There's two or three guys that we can run door-to-door and not have to worry about each other."

Yackey strong at CNS: Greeley's Bruce Yackey placed third in the late model main event on Saturday at Colorado National Speedway. Rick Smith, of Gering, Neb., and Roger Avants, of Littleton, bested him.