9/11/2017
Humboldt Speedway
Champions crowned at Humboldt Speedway finale
Humboldt Speedway- Friday night saw the finale for the seasons points races at Humboldt Speedway. With two divisions still to be decided, spectators on the annual McCarthy Autogroup Championship Jam the Stands Night were treated to hard-nose racing to decide the winners. In addition, Midwest Mods took part in the night's festivities.
In NASCAR Whelen All-American Modified action, Webb City, Missouri driver Mitch Keeter collected his twelfth victory of the year, en route to his first Humboldt Speedway track championship. Keeter currently sits 13th in the nation in Whelen All-American Division I points, the highest for any driver in the series who competes on dirt. Keeter held off Tad Davis and Cody Schniepp for both the night's victory and the track championship.
In Ray’s Metal Depot B Modified racing, Jasper, Missouri’s Cody Jolly picked up his sixth feature wins of the year at Humboldt Speedway, and his 14th of the year of in NASCAR Division II racing. Jolly currently sits atop the national points chase, staying ahead of Conrad Jorgenson and Brent Kane both who race Asphalt in Elko, Minnesota. Jolly outdistanced Shane Collins and Tyler Kidwell for the win. Collins currently sits in fifth place nationally. Jolly also picked up his first Humboldt Speedway track championship. Riley Whitworth, Tyler Kidwell, Shane Collins and Kenton Allen completed the top five in track points.
The closest point battle going into the season finale was in Whitworth Construction Factory Stocks. Chanute’s Jon Westhoff held a slim 5 point advantage over Bryce Weldon. Westhoff would take advantage of a front starting spot to lead the entire feature, securing the race and the track championship. Weldon suffered a flat tire early in the race but rebounded to finish second. Westhoff would win the championship by a mere ten points.
Another tight battle was in the Pitt Steel Street Stock division. Longton’s Shane Cook held a 25 point lead over South Coffeyville’s Rusty Etherton. Etherton would lead the entire race and pick up the win, while Cook finished 6th to finish the season with a six point advantage over Etherton. Levi McGown and Patrick Kay would round out the night’s event finishing second and third.
For all intents and purposes the track championship had been decided for John Willard earlier in the season, Willard picking up an even dozen wins en route to the championship. The evening, however, belonged to Independence, Missouri driver William Guthrie who outpaced Willard for the A feature win. Guthrie, in only his second event at Humboldt Speedway, took an early lead and held off Willard at the line. Humboldt’s Eric Ikehorn finished third. In the championship standings WIllard was followed by Topeka’s Barry Luthi, Eric Ikehorn, Trenton Wilson and Marisha Collins.
An addition to the evening's event were Midwest Mods. Sparta, Missouri's Rob Muilenberg picked up the win, leading from the drop of the flag until the checkers.
The night concluded with the annual Powder Puff and Mechanics races. Powder race winners include Tera McGowen, Ravyn Whitworth and Courtney Wilson. Mechanic Race winners were David Matlock, Tyler James and Jeremy Wilson.
Humboldt Speedway would like to thank all the fans, drivers, sponsors and track workers who made 2017 a memorable year. The 2017 Humboldt Speedway Banquet will be held at a date to be announced soon. Make sure you follow Humboldt Speedway during the off-season on www.humboldtspeedway.com and Facebook and Twitter.
Article Credit: Humboldt Speedway
Submitted By: Jeff Fehr
