HUMBOLDT SPEEDWAY 2020:RACING IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!
By Scott Lee Stewart
May 29, 2020
The thunder of high performance racing engines split the evening sky Friday evening as Humboldt Speedway enjoyed the long awaited 2020 season opener. The large, socially distanced crowd in attendance were treated to excellent, close combat auto racing that promises an exciting season ahead.
Feature events began with the Home Savings Bank Factory Stock class, where Jon "Dovy" Westhoff of Chanute, Ks. secured the inside pole via a heat race win, then proceeded to turn in a flawless wire to wire feature victory. Humboldt driver Scott Collins started mid-field in the 11 car pack, and mounted a daring high groove charge to runner up spot. Kenny Schettler of Erie, Ks. battled through the pack to secure a strong third place, while Brian Knisley of Coffeyville claimed fourth. Chanute driver Ethan Vance rounded out the top five of the event.
In the wildly popular Love's Travel Stops Midwest Modified main event Jacob Ellison of Chanute locked up with up and coming Iola driver Brady Folk in a beautiful display of wheel to wheel combat to claim the feature trophy. Folk took the second spot, Joey Decoster of Chanute was third, Scott Lucke and Chanute's Mike Churning completed the Fab Five.
Devin Irving of Cleveland, Mo.started the pole position of the Whitworth Construction Street Stock feature, led several laps before spinning in turn one to avoid a wreck, restarted tail back of the 9 car field, then proceeded to pass everyone for the win. Chanute's Scott Stuart fought his way to second, while Drexel, Mo.'s Chris Kircher, Chanute driver Dennis Bishop and Bobby Brown of Hume, Mo. rounded out the top five.
21 B-Mods lined up for the Ray's Metal Depot main event. From the drop of the green, Brian McGowen, Pittsburg Ks. ace, took control from the outside pole to win the 16 lap race. Behind McGowen, passing was fast and furious, ultimately Clint Johnson of Neosho, Mo. would finish second, Tyler Kidwell was a close third, Luke Phillips finished fourth, and Nevada Mo. driver Koby Chad was fifth.
Grass roots racing rounded out the opening night festivities with the O'Reilly Auto Parts Sport Compact feature, an event won by Devin Schmidt of Nortonville, Ks. Earlton, Ks. pilot Allen Jesseph took second, James Lemke Leavenworth, Ks. was third. Terry "TJ" McDonald was fourth, Barry Luthi of Overbrook Ks. took fifth.