Jason Hughes likes to race at Humboldt Speedway. He’s had success on the local dirt track.
But not last October in the King of America Modified Nationals. Hughes, from Westville, Okla., said he had problems with his car and didn’t get to race in the main feature.
“We love racing at Humboldt. The track is almost always smooth and sleek just the way we like it,” Hughes said. “We’re coming into this weekend’s King of America ready to run well.”
Hughes and most of the toughest and talented open-wheel dirt modified drivers are headed for Humboldt Speedway for this week’s King of American II Modified Nationals. They are running for the $15,000-to-win, $1,500-to-start main feature race Saturday night.
The four-day event opens Wednesday at the Speedway. There are three nights of qualifying runs then the finals on Saturday. The King of America races are sanctioned by United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS).
Nine-time USMTS national champion Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, won the inaugural King of America at Humboldt last October. Shryock is entered to defend his title.
“Yes, we were disappointed last year. This year has started out well for us. We won the first race in Arizona and we won the USMTS race at Humboldt two weeks ago on Friday night,” Hughes told the Register Monday in a telephone interview.
“Humboldt is a great facility and they do a great job of putting on a show.”
Hughes has raced for 24 years and began driving in modified competition in 1995. He also build scars and many of the Hughes chassis are having success on the track, he said.
General admission grandstand tickets are $20 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and $25 on Saturday. Kids tickets are $10 each night. Pit passes are $35 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and $40 on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, pit gates open at 3 p.m. grandstands open at 5 p.m., hot laps start at 6:30 and time trials begin at 7 p.m. On Saturday pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 4p.m., hot laps start at 5:30 and racing begins at 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, pit gates open at 3 p.m. grandstands open at 5 p.m., hot laps start at 6:30 and time trials begin at 7 p.m. On Saturday pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 4 p.m., hot laps start at 5:30 and racing begins at 6 p.m.
USRA B-Mods will be part of the event each night too, racing for a stout purse and national points in the American USRA Weekly Racing Series. Each day will be a complete and separate show with $300, $400, $500 and $1,000 to win, respectively. USRA rules will apply except that B-Mods must utilize a solid pull bar.
“We’re after a win of course. We’ve had success at Humboldt before so we’re after the big race this time,” Hughes said.
“You win before you get on the track by being ready when you leave the garage. You do your homework and make sure the car is ready before you pull out to go to a race. Sure things happen at the track but if you are prepared, you usually can handle those situations.”
