By Sam Stoecklin (Humboldt, KS) -- For the third-straight year, racing in the Midwest kicks into high gear at one of the region’s most beloved race venues for Battle at the Bullring III, the B-Mod Nationals March 9th, 10th, and 11th at Humboldt Speedway.
PHOTO CREDIT: RacinDirt.com/Rinken
Battle at the Bullring’s quick rise to bucket-list event comes as no surprise to those familiar with racing at ‘The Hummer’ and the attention to detail by master of the dirt Ryan Whitworth, and the matriarch of the speedway, his Mother, Rhenda Whitworth and their entire speedway staff.
With a hefty $8,000 payday awaiting the winner, the race serves as an early start to the season for northern-based drivers, such as Kelly Lake, Minnesota’s Skeeter Estey, who drove to a dominating win in last year’s event. The event also serves as the start of racing in the Midwest region for area stand-outs such as last year’s USRA National B-Mod Champion J.C. Morton and 29-time main event winner Ryan Gillmore, and Ethan and Lucas Isaacs.
Glancing at this year’s list of pre-registered entries reveals there are nearly 125 drivers representing eleven states and Canada. As expected, Kansas and Missouri-based drivers make up a large chunk of participants along with a handful of drivers from Illinois to represent the Midwest contingent. Not to be outdone, northern-tier drivers from Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Canada are set to challenge for the win as are southern-based drivers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Challenging the local talent, drivers such as Jared Timmerman, Dan Wheeler, Jason Vandekamp, Scott Bintz, Chad Wheeler, Cody Smith, and Michael Truscott will look to add their name to the winner’s list joining Estey and Shawn Strong as past winners.
The three-day event features heat race and main events and a non-qualifier’s race prior to the $8,000-to-win and $750-to-start main event. Joining the B-Mod drivers, NASCAR Modifieds will compete for $800-to-win each night.
Camping is free in the pit area, camping in front of the speedway is available for $10 per night in designated areas (no hookups). Drivers have a chance to dial-in their setups on Wednesday, March 8th for a practice session from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Pits will open at 5, pit passes are $20. Grandstands are open to the public at no charge.
On Thursday, March 9th the pits will clear at 3 p.m. Pre-race tech will begin Thursday, drivers are encouraged to get tech done as early as possible. The pre-race pit meeting takes place at 6, followed by hot laps at 6:30 and racing at 7. Grandstands are set to open at 5. B-Mods will take to the track for two rounds of heat races while Modifieds compete in heat races and a main event. Adult admission is $12, kids ages 6 to 12 $5, all pit passes are $35. A Bon Fire & Keg Party will take place in the Pit Camp Grounds if weather permits after the races conclude.
Friday events begin with pits clearing at 3 p.m. The pit meeting begins at 6, hot laps roll out at 6:30 followed by racing at 7. Grandstands are set to open at 5. B-Mods will take to the track for two rounds of heat races while Modifieds compete in heat races and a main event. Adult admission is $12, kids ages 6 to 12 $5, all pit passes are $35. DJ music will bring the Party Barn to life following the races.
On Saturday, March 11th, the pit meeting takes place at 5 p.m. followed by hot laps at 5:30 and racing at 6. Grandstands open at 3. B-Mod drivers will compete in B-Features and non-qualifier events while Modifieds once again compete in a full night of competition. Adult admission is $20, kids ages 6 to 12 years are $5, all pit passes are $35. The main event of the night will feature 25 drivers starting the Battle at the Bullring III, 50-lap main event.
Stay tuned to social media and the track website if weather becomes a factor for the event. Weather-related schedule adjustments and event info may be found at www.humboldtspeedway.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thehumboldtspeedway. The speedway is located at 1663 Georgia Road, Humboldt, Kansas. General Track Phone is 620-473-3694 or 620-433-7180. Technical inspection questions may be addressed with Carl Flowers at 785-640-6104.
RacinDirt.com will broadcast all three nights available on pay-per-view featuring multiple cameras and announcers, driver interviews, and up-to-the minute results and breaking news from the event. For online viewing information visit www.racindirt.com for complete pay-per-view ordering details.