HUMBOLDT — By any standard, Derrek Wilson is having a great season. After rising costs prompted Wilson, along with many others, to “move down” a class from factory to pure stock at Humboldt Speedway, he has been winning steadily, even in the face of engine and other mechanical failures.
However, winning, is getting tougher.
As a class, fellow drivers have steadily improved throughout the year. This week, for example, runner-up Jared Hayden gave Wilson a serious run for his money.
In fact, the top five finishers were all in the hunt down to the wire. Mitchell Coulter took third, Ryan Smith finished fourth, Matthew Kay was fifth. And, with a $500 on the line to win the pure stock special coming up in two weeks, all drivers are tuning up.
Back-to-back winners don’t seem to be an issue in B-mods, a wide open division sponsored by Ray’s Metal Depot. This week, Jeremy Chambers put together an outstanding effort to edge mid-season points champ Jimmie Davis for the win. Randy Zimmerman, running “down” a class from USRA modifieds, finished third. Lance Town ran a strong fourth, with Tim VanGotten fifth.
Toughest competition is in the smallest class, factory stock, where Gary Langworthy Jr. put together a superior performance to win the feature. The top five was rounded out by Tyler James, David Matlock, Jeremy Wilson and Patrick Kay.
Meanwhile, the John Allen juggernaut rolls on in the McCarthy Auto Group/USRA modified division. Allen wired the field in 20 laps, despite the best efforts of mid-season points champ Ryan McAninch, who finished second. Tad Davis, a Humboldt newcomer of late, nabbed third, with Whitey Folk fourth and Gene Hogan fifth.
The fan favorite Midwest Outlaw Vintage Racers made another appearance this week, with the Simmons family dominating the top three spots; patriarch Jack Simmons was the winner, Keith finished second, Zac was third. BJ Paige finished fourth, Chris Heitman fifth.
Wilson stays hot at Humboldt
