HUMBOLDT — A loyal fan base is vital to all sports.
Humboldt Speedway owners and promoters Ron, Rhenda and Ryan Whitworth have always had their fans in mind. They’ve upgraded the facilities at the Speedway throughout the 20-plus years they’ve owned the local dirt track.
So last Friday, the Whitworths threw the gates wide open as fan appreciation night. There was no charge for general admission at the nightly races and the fans “Jammed the Stands.”
According to the race report, more than 3,600 people packed the grandstands and the bleachers on the pit area side. Drivers had fans cheering them on all the way around the track all night.
And the drivers, who also have been taken care of over the years by the Whitworth family’s work to make Humboldt Speedway one of the best dirt stock car tracks in the area, gave the fans a show.
John Allen used all of his considerable driving skill in winning the USRA modified feature, passing and being passed numerous time before settling into a comfortable groove that lead to victory. Allen had intense pressure from runner-up Steven Bowers, Jr., who was actually on Allen’s back bumper at the finish line.
Justin Folk slipped into the driver’s seat of his brother’s car for the race. Folk drove Jesse Folk Jr.’s car from near the back of the 21-car field to claim third. Both Jessy Willard and Scott Daniels ran strong early, before finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
USRA B-Mod action was dominated by Tim VanGotten taking a wire-to-wire win. Jeremy Chambers was second in the event, followed by Jimmie Davis, Curt Drake, and Blake Kisner.
And while Scott Stuart rolled on to another feature win in factory stock, it was door-to-door racing for second place. On the final lap, Steve Stuart got the edge for second ahead of David Matlock. Tim Phillips ran fourth and Dusty Marvin was fifth.
Jeremy Willard, the defending pure stock points champion, returned to the winners circle. He held off Tyler Kidwell for the win.
Willard also passed a post-race engine teardown performed by tech officials. Levi Phillips claimed the third spot, followed by Mike Aiello and Matthew Kay.
This Friday the mechanic’s races will be a highlight in addition to the regular show.
Humboldt Speedway
Race Results
Friday, August 17, 2012
Whitworth Construction Pure Stock
HEAT 1 — Tyler Kidwell, Derek Michael, Robert Shaughnessy, Matthew Kay, George Reimer, Mike Churning
