HUMBOLDT — Cold weather did not deter drivers or fans as the United States Modified Tour Series opened the 2010 racing season at Humboldt Speedway over the weekend.
Jason Hughes of Westville, Okla., dominated racing action in th USMTS main races both Saturday and Sunday.
After earning the pole position through heat races Saturday, Hughes ran in front of the field to win the 40-lap race Saturday at Humboldt. Hughes came back on Sunday to notch another USMTS feature win.
In Saturday’s main modified feature race, John Allen of Chanute and Kelly Shryock, Fertile, Iowa, staged a battle for second place. Allen edged out Shryock at the finish line,
Mark Dotson of Cameron, Mo., ran fourth. Mike Hanson of Alton, Iowa, finished fifth in the 26-car field.
Dan Daniels of Humboldt and Ryan Whitworth of Humboldt finished eighth and ninth, respectively in the Saturday race.
On Sunday, Johnny Bone Jr. of Pea Ridge, Ark., ran second to Hughes followed by Tommy Weder Jr. of Woodward, Okla.. Zack VanderBeek, New Sharon, Iowa, finished fourth with Rodney Sanders, Happy, Texas, in fifth.
Dan Daniels was 12th while Allen finished 16th and Scott Daniels, Humboldt was 17th. Justin Folk of Iola placed 26th.
Also running for the first time this season at the Speedway were the local B-Mod and the factory stock classes.
Payden Phillips claimed the first B-Mod win of the season Saturday after passing Jay Lamons Jr. Lamons crossed the line in second followed by Tim VanGotten, Nathan Schmidt and Jesse Sobbing to round out the top five.
Also on Saturday night, Shawn Strong made the most of his first time at the Speedway winning the factory stock feature race. Doug Scism placed second followed by Dusty Marvin, Mike Lawrence and Dustin Lawrence.
In Sunday’s races, Lamons took the checkered flag in the B-Mod as Phillips ran second. Sobbing placed third as VanGotten finished fourth and Mike Letterman was fifth.
Billy Shadden captured the factory stock Sunday race. Robert Bright finished second followed by Scism, Mike Lawrence and Dustin Lawrence.
The Speedway has a playday slated for Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
Regular races begin March 27 with gates opening at 5 p.m. and racing starting at 7 p.m.
April 2 marks when the regular races move to Friday for the season.
Hughes captures USMTS openers at Humboldt
