Double driving duty at the race track seems to be suiting Kelby Anderson of Fort Ransom just fine in 2020. It’s also provided plenty of learning.
Anderson is in his third season in the Mini Stock class and first in the Hobby Stock class at Sheyenne Speedway.
“They’re both fun,” the 16-year-old Anderson said. “They’re two different things.”
Different would be an understatement. The Mini Stocks are four-cylinders with cars that weigh much less while the Hobby Stocks run 8-cylinders with the cars weighing at least 3,400 pounds.
“One’s like driving a boat; other one, no way to describe it — small, rough-riding but fun,” said Anderson, who is a sophomore at Lisbon High School. “Going from rear wheel drive in one, to front wheel drive (in the other).”
His first career Mini Stock win came on June 16, 2019 at Sheyenne.
“I was shocked,” Anderson said.
He has three career wins in the Mini Stock including two this season. He’s second in the points at Sheyenne heading into Sunday’s track championship despite some tough luck earlier in the season.
And how has the first year in the Hobby Stock class gone?
“Rough, but learning,” Anderson said.
His best finish in the hobby stock is eighth and he’s ninth in the points at Sheyenne.
“I wanted to try something else and this was the next step up. It’s letting rear end slide out,” Anderson said. “Driving the Mini Stock, you get on the gas when you’re sliding. (Hobby Stock), you’re supposed to let off.”
When this interview was conducted earlier in August, Anderson was aiming for more top 10 finishes in the Hobby Stock and another Mini Stock win. He accomplished the second win on Aug. 16, and he followed with a second-place finish on Aug. 23.
Two current Sheyenne drivers have been instrumental in helping Anderson get behind the wheel. Neil Walton of Englevale, who has built several of the Mini Stock cars, built the one Kelby is driving while Brennan Urbach of Lisbon built the Hobby Stock car.
“Brennan Urbach and Neil Walton have helped me a lot,” Anderson said.
Driver Profile
Kelby Anderson
Mini Stock/Hobby Stock #2K
Age: 16
Residence: Fort Ransom, N.D.
Sponsors: Lisbon Farmers Credit Union, Thor’s Bar, Beast Custom Works
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