Scott rolls to USMTS victory at Humboldt

HUMBOLDT — Competition in USMTS (United States Modified Tour Series) was the big draw of the night and it didn’t disappoint race fans at Humboldt Speedway Friday.
The excessive heat, temperatures climbing to triple digits, nor rain during the USMTS feature race bothered the crowd. Humboldt Speedway released there were 1,200 packed in the stands to watch the races.
The USMTS races attracted 43 drivers from seven states to the Speedway. Also on hand was a film crew from “Dirt Knights”, a reality television show featuring several drivers in the USMTS.
The television show will air on Versus, a cable channel, starting in January.
After two B-feature races for the modified drivers plus Humboldt’s regular classes of factory and pure stock cars and B-Mod’s, the USMTS main feature fill the local dirt track.
Dereck Ramirez earned the pole spot in the 40-lap race and seemed in command of the race. Half way through the event, rain came but the action didn’t stop.
Johnny Scott made his move and went to the front with about five laps left. Scott was able to maintain his lead, winning for a big payday. Ramirez ran second with Jason Hughes finishing third after being in 15th.
Al Hejina, one of the featured drivers in “Dirt Knights,” took fourth. Tim Donlinger rounded out the top five finishers.
John Rossen was able to run down early leader Patrick Kay to post the win in the factory stock feature. Kay ended up third as Tyler James made up ground from starting at the back of the pack to finish second.
The battle for fourth was between Brandon Tindle and Dustin Lawrence. Tindle edged Lawrence out at the line but the two cars came together causing Tindle’s car to flip. Tindle escaped without injury.
Levi McGowen won his sixth B-Mod feature race of the season at Humboldt Speedway. Jay Lamons Jr. ran second followed by Tim VanGotten, Mike Letterman and Dalton Kirk.
David Matlock went to the lead early in the pure stock feature race and stayed out front to the end. Jeremy Willard finished second with Roger Oswald taking third. Tony Morris was fourth and Mike Aiello was fifth.
This Friday is the final pit crew challenge and a champion crew will be decided. The vintage cars return for another run on the local dirt track along with the regular four divisions at the Speedway.