Open wheel modified dirt track racing began life as a single class of race cars designed as a budget option for “ordinary” divers to compete in a more challenging class of competition than full-bodied race cars of the period.

My, how they have evolved.

Modifieds now compete in international touring groups such as the United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) and then progress to various “economy” classes in different regions of the country, such as Humboldt Speedway’s USRA B-Mods.

Several things are constant: Speed is king, these drivers are far from ordinary and “economy” is a relative term. It costs money to go fast.

On Friay, the Humboldt Speedway hosted a night of all-Modified racing featuring all the above examples. A gathering of 85 Modifieds of various types were on hand in an impressive display of speed on dirt.

The Ray’s Metal Depot USRA B-Mod feature was, indeed, a 14-car clash of titans as Tyler Kidwell of Chanute and Pittsburg (Kansas) veteran Brian McGowen went head to head from the front in a contest that ended with Kidwell tallying the victory.

McGowen finished second. Lansing driver Jake Richards was third with Brad Smith of Belton, Mo., fourth and Bryce Weldon finishing fifth in what was an intense race across the board.

The crown jewel of the night was the second appearance at 'The Hummer' this season of the USMTS Modifieds and former Humboldt Speedway regular Tanner Mullins of Wichita topped the 36-ar field. Finishing second was another familiar face to local fans: Darron Fuqua of Mayetta.

Racing resumes next Friday night at Humboldt Speedway featuring a full field of cars from all divisions.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Humboldt Speedway, Humboldt, Kan.
Friday, Aug. 7, 2020

Showing finishing position, starting position in parentheses, car number, driver and hometown.

USRA B-MODS

Heat #1:
1. (1) 54 Tyler Kidwell, Chanute, Kan.
2. (2) 7J Jake Richards, Lansing, Kan.
3. (6) 17. Jeremy Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan.
4. (5) 99 Brad Smith, Belton, Mo.
5. (3) 8 Mitchell Coulter, Fort Scott, Kan.
6. (4) 46 James Gotschall, Nevada, Mont.
7. (7) 48M Rick Murcko, Iola, Kan.

Heat #2:
1. (4) 22 Brian McGowen, Pittsburg, Kan.
2. (5) 17 Mike Striegel, Wheatland, Mo.
3. (3) 23JR Bryce Weldon, Chanute, Kan.
4. (2) 121 Tim Phillips, Fort Scott, Kan.
5. (7) 57J Dayton Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
6. (6) 31 Luke Phillips, Chanute, Kan.
7. (1) 42 Jerry Morgan, Fort Scott, Kan.

Feature:
1. (3) 54 Tyler Kidwell, Chanute, Kan.
2. (1) 22 Brian McGowen, Pittsburg, Kan.
3. (5) 7J Jake Richards, Lansing, Kan.
4. (7) 99 Brad Smith, Belton, Mo.
5. (6) 23JR Bryce Weldon, Chanute, Kan.
6. (12) 31 Luke Phillips, Chanute, Kan.
7. (8) 121 Tim Phillips, Fort Scott, Kan.
8. (2) 17 Mike Striegel, Wheatland, Mo.
9. (11) 46 James Gotschall, Nevada, Mont.
10. (9) 57J Dayton Pursley, Hermitage, Mo.
11. (13) 48M Rick Murcko, Iola, Kan.
12. (4) 17. Jeremy Chambers, Baldwin City, Kan.
13. (14) 42 Jerry Morgan, Fort Scott, Kan.
14. (10) 8 Mitchell Coulter, Fort Scott, Kan.