By SCOTT L. STEWART
HUMBOLDT — Beginning this season, promoters Ryan and Rhenda Whitworth instituted a policy where, if any person, group or sponsor wants to add money to the purse of any class, the Humboldt Speedway will match the donation. Thanks to a dedicated group of track officials at The Hummer (The Pit Crew, if you will, those fellows in the USRA shirts), Friday night boasted a $750-to-win USRA Modified purse.
The payoff worked out very well for Paden Phillips, who engineered a beautifully driven feature win. Phillips took the lead from the start and was pursued by his mentor, John Allen. As the race progressed, the duo began lapping parts of the 20-car field, a place where Allen excels at passing. Phillips was fearless, however, and provided not the slightest opening. At the checkered flag, Phillips and Allen were 1 and 2, Jeremy Chambers was third, Scotty Bough fourth, and Lucas Conley fifth.
Fresh from a 1-2-3 finish in the USRA Stock Car division last week at Heartland Park Topeka, the Fast three, Jeremy Wilson, David Matlock, and Tyler James were at it again, this time at home. Wilson won, Matlock was runner up, James third, Scott Collins fourth, and Ken Colston fifth.
In USRA B-Mod action, Tyler Kidwell swept both heat and feature, holding off Topeka driver and runner-up Dustin Thulin. Tim VanGotten recorded a strong third place finish. Mike Letterman and Jimmie Davis rounded out the top five.
Overcoming early race mechanical issues, Derrek Wilson rallied for yet another victory in the Pure Stock division. The best part of this contest was the battle for second, won by Don McIntosh. Mitch Coulter was third, Wayne Johnson fourth, and Mike Churning fifth.
This Friday’s races mark the Mid Season Championship Night.
