NASCAR Camping World East Series: Brian Ickler could be the next Joey Lagano

Who will be the next Joey Logano?

Brian Ickler is a native of San Diego, spent some time in off-road racing, moved up to modifieds and then to the Camping World West Series. Ickler spent two years racing for McAnally Racing, compiling 25 starts, 3 wins, 6- Top Five and 13- Top Ten finishes.

During the 2007 season, Ickler also ran two races in the Camping World East Series in Dover and Mansfield. Last December, Brian turned down the seat with McAnally Racing, packed up everything and headed down to Mooresville, NC. like so many other racers have done, and pursued his dream of racing in NASCAR Sprint Cup someday.

In 2008, Ickler is racing in a family owned car as an Owner/Driver for Ickler Motorsports. He started with five employees competing with NASCAR based teams with hundreds of employees. Ickler is racing with five cars, learning to take care of his equipment knowing that he'll be working on his own cars during the week. Still, he has found success by winning two races in a row.

Ickler won the US Cellular 200 at Iowa Speedway. A race that combines drivers from the Camping World East & West Series and featured Sprint Cup regular Kasey Kahne (finished 3rd). Then dominated the Strutmasters.com 150 at South Boston Speedway. He currently sits third in the points, 76 behind Austin Dillon.

I could easily see Brian Ickler, following Joey Logano to the Nationwide Series and eventually Sprint Cup. Obviously this kid is extremely talented and at 22, running a family owned team, driving in the Camping World East Series will open the door for him. Since 1987, this Series formerly know as the Busch North Series has produced a bunch of Sprint Cup drivers.

I believe Ickler would be a perfect fit for Kevin Harvick, Inc. in the 77 Car, just about any Nationwide Team looking for a driver in '09, along with these Sprint Cup Teams: Petty Enterprises, Wood Brothers Racing, Yates Racing, Bill Davis Racing or Stewart/Haas Racing as a third or fourth Team Driver after finding success in the Nationwide Series.

This is Part One of my series about young drivers who may be following in the footsteps of Joey Logano