Jackson wins big in the annual Whitworth Memorial Race

Racing: Humboldt Speedway

HUMBOLDT — As temperatures start their summer rise, the action at Humboldt Speedway on the first Friday of June did the same.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Sport Compacts, Home Savings Bank Factory Stocks, Tumbleweed Music Festival Street Stocks and the night’s special event, the Annual Whitworth Memorial $1,500 to win race for the Ray’s Metal Depot B-Mods highlighted the festivities. The evening’s events were kicked off with a tribute to Ron and Dwaine Whitworth, and the entire Whitworth family for their years of dedication to racing.

In the O’Reilly Auto Parts Sport Compact action, Humboldt’s Trey Stipp outdueled Eric Ikehorn and picked up his first ever A feature win of his young career. Stipp took advantage of a late race caution to pass Ikehorn and held on the final two circuits to secure the win. Ikehorn and Savnonburg’s Colt Burk rounded out the top three. Heat race wins went to Ike-horn and Chanute’s Trenton Wilson.

The Home Savings Bank Factory Stock A-feature went down as a memorable one, especially for Chanute’s Mike Churning.

Churning was in the right place at the right time as Chanute’s Derek Wilson and current points leader Jon Westhoff tangled off of turn two after taking the white flag. Churning, using the bottom line, made it three wide and came out on top as the Wilson and Westhoff sparred for the higher, faster line around the Hummer. Churning raced towards the checkers and picked up the surprising victory. Westhoff managed second while Scott Collins, Jackson McGowen and Ethan Lamons completed the top five. Heat race wins went to Humboldt’s Wayne Johnson, Westhoff and Wilson.

In the Tumbleweed Music Festival Street Stocks, Humboldt’s Nick Fritch took advantage of Savonburg’s Jay Lamons’ late race misfortune to grab his first victory of the 2018 season. Fritch and Lamons dueled for the majority of the nights A Feature, with Lamons keeping Fritch at a comfortable distance. Fritch kept the pressure on Lamons, pushing his machine to its limits. Lamons eventually had to relinquish his lead to Fritch, who sailed on to the win. Humboldt’s Scott Lucke and Hunter Oswalt completed the top three. Lamons picked up the Heat win. The night’s feature event, the 25-lap Whit-worth Memorial, saw 26 of the best B-Mod drivers in the area compete for the $1500 prize.

Pole sitter Kris Jackson, jumped out to an early lead and looked to be in firm control until a lap 17 caution erased his lead and put past-Battle of the Bullring champion JC Morton on his bumper.

Morton wrestled the lead from Jackson on lap 19 but saw his night come to a crashing halt as he hit the turn one wall. His accident collected current points leader Cody Jolly, Dakota Foster, Brian McGowen and Kenton Allen. Jackson held off Ethan Isaacs and Andy Bryant to pocket the $1500 payday. Heat Race wins went to Allen, Jackson, Jolly and Morton.

Racing returns to ‘The Hummer’ on Friday with a $200 to win Sport Compact special. Other classes competing that evening will be McCarthy Auto Group/ NASCAR Whelen All-American Series A-Mods, Ray’s Metal Depot B-Mods and Home Savings Bank Factory Stocks.