HUMBOLDT (USMTS.com) — Jason Hughes isn’t ready to give up his stranglehold on Humboldt Speedway’s victory lane quite yet.
On Saturday night, the defending national champion of the USMTS Casey’s Cup powered by S&S Fishing & Rental and reigning King of America went 42 laps as the leader from start to finish to capture his series-best 13th career feature win at the Humboldt bullring and second of the 2016 campaign.
The opening race in the MSD Central Region presented by Day Motor Sports was extended from 40 to 42 laps in honor of Grant Junghans, who competed with the USMTS for the past nine years driving the familiar black, white and red Shop Quik No. 2 machine. At 27 years of age, Junghans lost his six-year battle with cancer at his home last Saturday.
Saturday’s main event started with the traditional four-wide parade lap, but this time the fans witnessed two parade laps and the lead position was left open in remembrance of Junghans — one of the series’ all-time favorite personalities.
Hughes, who claimed his first win at “The Hummer” almost 15 years ago, led every lap from the pole position as he fended off a furious mid-race onslaught from his fellow two-time series champ, Ryan Gustin.
It was his third straight win at Humboldt.
For his 135th career United States Modified Touring Series triumph, the Watts, Okla., veteran increased his earnings by another $3,000 and now leads the points in both regions with contested events this season.
Gustin, who has four USMTS wins under his belt this year, settled for the runner-up position while Zack VanderBeek continued his strong start to the 2016 campaign with a third-place finish.
VanderBeek held off an impressive run by Hunter Marriott, who earned $1,000 for finishing fourth in his first USMTS start since 2012, and Daniel Hilsabeck finished fifth in his first go of the year.
Todd Shute, Rodney Sanders, Jason Thoennes, Terry Phillips and Mitch Keeter rounded out the top 10.
