Duvall’s hustle builds King of America muscle

HUMBOLDT, Kansas (March 22)—A funny thing happened on the way to King of America X powered by Summit…

In January, USMTS officials announced the 2021 schedule for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey’s, and with it turned the dirt modified racing world on its head and proving, once again, that the USMTS flies where no similar series or sanctioning body dares to.

With more than $300,000 earmarked just for the winners from the over $1 million in prize money up for grabs this season, 26 of the 36 race nights pay at least $10,000 to win while the other 10 carry a $5,000 top prize.

With this week’s tenth running of the King of America Modified Nationals, some felt that the crown jewel event may become just another race with the same top prize dangling at the end of the fishing pole.

Joe ‘Big Daddy’ Duvall was one of those people.

“Since 2011, the King of America has been one of the big ones every year for the USMTS,” Duvall said. “I want to keep the KOA one of the big ones. I want to make it a $20,000-to-win race.”

Duvall, who owns and operates Duvall Electric—a world-class electrical contractor headquartered in Claremore, Oklahoma—started by throwing in the first $1,000 and began hustling to raise money for the race.

Then, Humboldt Speedway promoter Ryan Whitworth matched Duvall’s investment and S&S Fishing & Rental owner Shane Sprinkle matched them both. Suddenly there was four grand in the bag.

“Then it started rolling.”

By the time racers begin rolling into the Humboldt Speedway this Wednesday, March 24, for practice night, it’s estimated that the 2020 Crown Jewel Preservation Project will put an additional $20,000 in the pockets of those who squeeze their heads into a helmet and pull the seatbelts tight this weekend.

How’s that for priceless?

The King of America X finale this Saturday, March 27, now pays $20,000 to win and $1,000 to start (up from $750 to start). And it’s all thanks to the financial contributions and support from the following five-star sponsors:

Duvall Electric, Whitworth Construction, S&S Fishing & Rental, Diva Dogs, Hacienda Mechanical, Texas Locomotive Solutions, Laundromat Bar & Grill, Mayes Plumbing, Kaw Valley Companies, Trails End Ranch, Rick Beebe Heating & Air, Collins Brothers Towing, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, VanderBuilt Race Cars, TP Fabrication, Wichita Tire & Alignment, KEVKO Oil Pans & Racing Components, Canoe Creek Sheep Farm, Fat Girl Transport, Wichita Tank Racing and Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse which is offering $777 to the first driver failing to get into the big dance. Fast Shafts will be awarding a new carbon fiber driveshaft to the winner.

Thank you to every one of you!

Delayed by one year due to the pandemic of 2020, King of America X powered by Summit is coming to the Humboldt Speedway this week and sharing the spotlight with the Battle at The Bullring VI driven by G-Style Transport. The dirt track racing mega-event is set for Wednesday through Saturday, March 24-27.

Racers can get their feet wet and their engines warm on Wednesday, March 24, during an open practice test ‘n’ tune at the semi-banked quarter-mile dirt oval in Southeast Kansas.

On-track action gets underway on Thursday, March 25, with both the B-Mods presented by AmeriFlex Hose & Accessories and USRA Modifieds racing for a $2,000 top prize while Medieval USRA Stock Cars shoot for a $750 payday.

The mud-slinging Modifieds of the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey’s take center stage on Friday, March 26, as they compete for $5,000 to win the main event. Meanwhile, Medieval USRA Stock Cars will see $1,000 going to the feature winner while B-Mod drivers battle in dual qualifying heats to set their starting lineups for Saturday.

Saturday’s King of America X finale will see a top prize for the USMTS Modifieds of no less than $20,000 while B-Mods have a $10,000 paycheck awaiting the main event winner. Finally, Medieval USRA Stock Cars have a $1,200-to-win feature race.

Eight different USMTS drivers have claimed victory in the previous nine King of America blockbusters and the list is a who's who of dirt modified racing.

Ricky Thornton Jr. captured the crown two years ago and is the defending champion of the event. Reigning and two-time USRA Modified national champion Lucas Schott was the 2018 winner and two-time USMTS national champ Ryan Gustin won in 2013 before he became the first repeat winner at the 2017 event.

Zack VanderBeek captured the title in 2016 after a thrilling late-race battle with 2014 race winner Rodney Sanders. Jason Hughes was the 2015 champion; Stormy Scott topped the 2012 event and nine-time USMTS champ Kelly Shryock claimed the inaugural crown in 2011.

In the 53 main events staged here, Hughes has more than doubled his nearest competitor with 13 career USMTS wins at ‘The Hummer’ while Scott has six wins. Gustin and Shryock both have five and Sanders follows with four victories.

Drivers with two wins include VanderBeek, Terry Phillips, Johnny Scott, Jason Krohn and Johnny Bone Jr. On one occasion the checkered flag has waved for Thornton, Schott, Tanner Mullens, Kyle Strickler, Tim Donlinger, Jon Tesch, Jeremy Payne, Mitch Keeter, Steve Holzkamper and William Gould.

Jared Timmerman notched the biggest victory of his career when he captured the fifth Battle at The Bullring title in 2019—the most recent running due to the pandemic of 2020. Other past winners include Skeeter Estey (2016 and 2018), J.C. Morton (2017) and Shawn Strong (2015).

The Humboldt Speedway is located 0.1 mile west of US 169 at the Humboldt Exit, then 0.5 mile south, then 0.9 mile east on Georgia Rd. (1663 Georgia Rd, Humboldt, KS 66748). For more information, call (620) 431-2470 or visit humboldtspeedway.com.

TIMES & TICKETS

Wednesday, March 24:
Pits Open 3 p.m., Practice 6-9 p.m.
General Admission FREE
Pit Pass $25 • Kids (6-10) $15

Thursday, March 25:
Pits Open 2 p.m.
Grandstands Open 5 p.m.
Drivers Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Racing 7 p.m.
General Admission $25
Reserved Seating $30 (limited availability)
Seniors (62+) $20 • Kids (6-12) $10
Pit Pass $40 • Kids (6-10) $25

Friday, March 26:
Pits Open 2 p.m.
Grandstands Open 5 p.m.
Drivers Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Racing 7 p.m.
General Admission $25
Reserved Seating $30 (limited availability)
Seniors (62+) $20 • Kids (6-12) $10
Pit Pass $40 • Kids (6-10) $25

Saturday, March 27:
Pits Open 2 p.m.
Grandstands Open 5 p.m.
Drivers Meeting 6:30 p.m.
Racing 7 p.m.
General Admission $30
Reserved Seating $35 (limited availability)
Seniors (62+) $25 • Kids (6-12) $10
Pit Pass $40 • Kids (6-10) $25

Children under 6 years of age get into the grandstands or pits for FREE all week long.

If you can’t be at the Humboldt Speedway in person, you can still enjoy every lap of every race in every division on every night of King of America X at RacinDirt.TV.

ATVs and Golf Carts: There is a one-time fee of $20 for an ATV & Golf Cart Permit which is valid for all events in 2021 at the Humboldt Speedway.

Camping: There is no charge for camping. Camping is available in the designated wooded area of the pits or in the front parking area. Hookups are not available. Campers are encouraged to use the pit area next to the creek.

Transponders: Transponders will be required on all race cars throughout the weekend. There is a transponder rental of $20 for the weekend.