Killingsworth Edges James in Inaugural Frank Brewer Memorial G60 Classic Thriller

Ethan Killingsworth celebrates with his crew after winning the inaugural Frank Brewer Memorial G60 Classic for Friesen Performance IMCA Modifieds at Cottage Grove Speedway on July 26. (Photo by JDavenport Photography)

By Ben Deatherage

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 26, 2025) – Ethan Killingsworth came out on top of a thrilling duel with Bricen James to win the inaugural Frank Brewer Memorial G60 Classic at Cottage Grove Speedway. The special-format Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature, split into two 30-lap segments and paying $3,000 to win, honored longtime racer and track tire vendor Frank Brewer. The victory marked Killingsworth’s third win at CGS this season and his eighth overall in the Shaw Race Cars Western Region.

Five-time and reigning track champion Jake Mayden set the tone early, leading the opening lap aboard the Dustin Brooks-owned no. 5M. A caution on lap two brought the field back together, and on the ensuing restart, Killingsworth mounted a challenge. He stayed close through a second yellow on lap seven, then capitalized in turns one and two on the 12th circuit to take over the lead. Traffic became a factor on lap 18, but Killingsworth held tough to lead at the halfway mark ahead of Bricen James and Mayden.

The second segment began with Killingsworth surging to the point once more, putting distance between himself and the pack until encountering slower traffic again around lap 12. That opened the door for the Schram Motorsports no. 13 of James, the 2019 Shaw Race Cars Western Region champion, who closed the gap and worked the bottom of the racetrack masterfully to nose ahead on lap 17. But Killingsworth roared right back to regain command a lap later. The duel reignited in the final five laps as traffic played a pivotal role, with James retaking the lead on lap 27. Killingsworth dug deep, making one final charge to nip James at the line by just 0.145 seconds. Eston Whisler completed the podium with a third-place run.

The event was also a Fast Shafts All-Star Invitational qualifier, and with the victory, Killingsworth is now eligible to attempt to qualify for the prestigious invitational race during the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s, set for later this summer.

The event aired live on IMCA TV affiliate Dirt Oval TV. Rewatch every lap with the IMCA.TV Replay Subscription, and be sure to stream Season 2 of The Boone Docuseries, now available exclusively on IMCA TV.