Keeter and Willard Make it Six as ASCS Shine at Humboldt
Humboldt Speedway- Bookended around a spectacular ACSC Red River Region A Feature, Humboldt Speedway features did not disappoint as Mitch Keeter and John Willard continued their domination of their respective classes. Mitch Keeter used his pole position to distance the field in Whelen All-American Series Modified action. Keeter led every lap holding off Cody Schniepp and Tanner Mullens. Tad Davis and Chase Domer completed the top five.
In Factory Stock Action, Bryce Weldon started on the pole and held off every challenge in picking up another victory. Deep starting Jacob Ellison, starting 13th, rallied to secure a runner-up position. Jon Westhoff, who had won the previous three weeks, managed a fourth behind last year's track champion Dereck Wilson. Heat race wins went to Emporia’s Krew Walburn and Weldon.
In Ray’s Metal Depot B Modified Action, Riley Whitworth wrestled the lead away from Shane Collins in the closing laps to secure the victory. Cody Jolly, last week's winner, slipped around Collins for the second position. Kenton Allen and Mike Letterman completed the top five. Heat race wins went to Curt Drake and Shane Collins. Next week B Mods will race for an additional $200 courtesy of local Kansas National Education Associations in celebration of Teacher Appreciation night at Humboldt Speedway.
The beat goes on for the Sport Compact division as St. Joseph, Missouri driver John Willard secured his sixth win of the season. This time, Willard had to hold off local driver Curt Wilson on several late race restarts. Willard also picked up the heat race win.
Coming up just shy one year ago, Blake Hahn won a thriller of a feature event over Kyle Bellm at the Humboldt Speedway with the American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Red River Region presented by Smiley’s Racing Products.Chasing Kyle Bellm at the start, Hahn from fourth, railed the cushion of the three-eighths oval to move to the runner-up spot on the opening lap. Through a pair of early race restarts, the pair exchanged the lead several times with Hahn taking over the lead officially on Lap 6.Still running just off the wall, Hahn kept pace as a line of rubber began to come into play through turns one and two. A car width off the top, Bellm began moving his line to begin running down the No. 52. Taking the white flag, Bellm set his sights on a last lap slide job, only to have the caution bring the field back to a green, white, checkered finish. Keeping pace with the No. 52 on the restart, it would not be enough as Hahn pocketed the night’s $2,000 winner’s check. Bellm second was chased to the finish by Sam Hafertepe, Jr. with Seth Bergman fourth. Racing from 16th, Alex Sewell finished fifth with Jonathan Cornell, Sean McClelland, Johnny Herrera, Wayne Johnson, and Dustin Morgan making up the top-ten.
Next Friday, Humboldt Speedway honors area teachers and support staff by hosting a Teacher Appreciation Night. Area teachers will receive free entrance with proper school ID cards. Also, fans are encouraged to donate school supplies for the upcoming school year. New packages of pencils, pens, notebook paper and binders will be collected near the entrance to the stands. For more information about happenings at Humboldt Speedway visit www.humboldtspeedway.com or follow Humboldt Speedway on Facebook and Twitter @HumboldtSpeedway