HUMBOLDT SPEEDWAY Brady Folk said his biggest motivator to race was Matt Miller. After a tough racing night the Friday before, Folk was ready to throw in the towel. But it was through Millers encouragement that Brady kept on at the track. Miller passed away early last week.
Millers death has been hard on his family, friends, and many members in the community, but instances like this show the positive light he shined on others.
Folk hadnt touched his car all week, and was in no way, shape, or form race ready for Friday night at the track. For most of the week Folk had been with the Miller family in mourning, and it wasnt until Friday night that he sent his dad (Jesse Folk Jr.) a text saying, Dad, I want you to take my car and get a trophy for Matt so I can give it to his family.
Brady told Matt that he wanted to hang it up, but Matt said to keep trying, Jesse Folk Jr. said. When Brady got down, Matt always picked him up. He always told Brady he was going to get a win, but if I could get a win he (Brady) thought it would have been the next best thing.
Jesse Folk Jr. had not raced competitively in nearly three years since his retirement to focus on running his business. Folk Jr. emphasized that he had no desire to return to the track as he shows his son the ropes of being a racer, but this situation was different. The last win for Folk Jr. came on his last race he in 2016.
On Friday, Folk Jr. held off a determined Rob Muillenburg to win the Midwest Mods race. Folk Jr. led every lap on his way to the win.
Muillenberg mounted several challenges but could not overtake Folk Jr. Heat Race wins went to Folk and Muillenberg.
The whole reason I went down there was to get a trophy for Matt, Folk Jr. said. Brady gave the trophy to the family, and they were extremely happy. It was nice to see the family happy. It would have been for nothing if I had gotten passed on the last lap, but Im happy it wasnt for nothing. We need to keep sending the family prayers their way.
THE REST of the races at Humboldt Speedway were action-packed.
Matt Johnson, from Archie, Mo., started on the pole in the nights $1,000 to win feature, and out-paced the field to secure his spot in the Sept. 25-28 Summit Shootout at Hamilton County Speedway in Webster City, Iowa. Johnson, who also picked up the third heat victory, backed up his win from earlier in the year at Humboldt Speedway. Mayettas Daron Fuqua and Lone Jack, Missouris Chad Lyle rounded out the top three. Other heat race winners were Nevada, Missouris Chase Domer and Mt. Hopes driver Tad Davis.
In Rays Metal Depot NASCAR B Modifieds, Fort Scotts Andy Bryant continued his roll toward a track championship after picking up his eighth win on the season. Bryant, starting outside the pole, got the early lead and drove away to the victory. Chanutes Tyler Kidwell, Topekas Sturgis Streeter, Riley Whitworth and Tim Van Gotten rounded out the top five. Heat race victories went to Bryant, Streeter and Pittsburgs Brian McGowen.
Racers in the OReilly Auto Parts Sports Compact raced for $500 to win A Feature courtesy of Aeillo Fireworks. St. Joseph, Missouris David Miller out-distanced the field to take home the larger than usual payday. Miller held off Overbrooks Barry Luthi and Nortonvilles Devin Schmidt who completed the top three. Heat race wins went to Miller and Brandon Vink.
An added bonus for the night was the addition of Mod Lites. Ed Griggs from Pleasant Hill, Missouri, led every lap and held off the constant barrage from the reigning first family of Midwest Mod Lite racing, the Raffurtys. Griggs last challenge in the closing laps was from David Raffurty. Rounding out the top five was Dillon Raffurty, Justin Raffurty and Jeff Raffurty.
Racing returns to the Humboldt Speedway on July 12. Competing that evening will be Rays Metal Depot NASCAR B Modifieds, Home Savings Bank NASCAR Factory Stocks, OReilly Auto Parts Sport Compacts and Loves Travel Stops NASCAR Midwest Modifieds. For more information check out www.humboldtspeedway.com.
