HUMBOLDT — It’s back, and they will be too.
Ron and Rhenda Whitworth and their crew set out a couple of years ago to bring a “big” racing event to Humboldt Speedway. They did it last October with the help of United States Modified Touring Series owner Todd Staley.
The King of America Modified Nationals II begins its four-night run at Humboldt Speedway Wednesday. Three nights of qualified races lead to one of the richest dirt modified racing events in the nation.
Defending King of America champion Kelly Shryock plans to go after the crown again. Shryock is from Fertile, Iowa, and is a nine-time USMTS national champion.
Also expected to be in the race is 2011 USMTS National Champion Ryan Gustin of Marshalltown, Iowa. Gustin leads Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., by three points in the USMTS National Championship Series. Johnny Scott, Las Cruces, N.M., finished second to Shryock last year in the King of America and is sitting third on the young-season’s list.
Jon Tesch of Watertown, S.D., also is returning to challenge for the big paycheck.
Most of the nation’s elite dirt modified drivers are expected to descend again on the historic Humboldt Speedway track for the $15,000-to-win, $1,500-to-start event slated for Wednesday through Saturday.
Tickets may be purchased online at usmts.com or by calling 515-832-7944. Four-day reserved tickets are $75. Single-day tickets on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are $20 each while Saturday’s show is $25. All single-day tickets are general admission and will only be sold on the night of the races.
The qualifying features on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the inaugural event each ended with a pass for the lead during the last five laps.
Drivers again will register to qualify on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. They may also purchase a “mulligan” that allows them to attempt to qualify a second day if they aren’t satisfied with their first qualifying mark.
Group time trials will be staged each of the first three days, followed by heat races and main events with drivers earning points for their performances in each. The top six points earners each day will earn one of 18 guaranteed starting spots in Saturday’s championship race, with the highest overall points earner garnering the pole for the big dance.
Saturday’s program will feature an “alphabet soup” of main events that will culminate with a 30-car starting field for the championship race that will feature a three-wide start.
Nearly $80,000 has been earmarked for Saturday’s “A” Main alone, with a total purse of more than $130,000 posted for the four-day extravaganza.
