WHITESVILLE, Ky. — Eric Humphries continued his hot streak with his most recent King of the Wing victory Thursday night at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
The event kicked off the “Midwest Tour” for the winged pavement sprint car series.
The series was making its first visit to the northwestern Kentucky three-eighths-mile asphalt oval. It was also the first winged asphalt sprint car race to be held in the state of Kentucky in the modern era.
Colorado driver Bryan Gossel set a track record in qualifications with a lap of 13.487 seconds.
Idaho driver Matt Elliott got the jump from his pole position at the start to become the early race leader. Eric Humphries and Bobby Santos III quickly fell in position behind Elliott.
On lap six Florida driver excited he track and pulled into the infield. He promptly bailed out of the car and appeared to be on fire. Nichols appeared unscathed after the scary incident.
Two laps later the yellow flew again when Kevin Feeney and Wade Buttrey made contact in turn one.
When the race resumed, Elliott continued to lead, but Humphries was reeling him in. With less than ten laps remaining, Humphries was able to make the pass when Elliott slipped high in turn four.
Humphries won by 02.085 seconds over Santos III and third place finisher Elliott. The win was the third out of the last four events King of the Wing has contested.
“Everything is clicking right now,” Humphries explained. “We’re making great calls and trying new things. As a team everybody’s clicking. We got good equipment and a good motor with great horsepower. Maybe Lady Luck is on our side right now.”
The series will now head to Veterans Motorplex in Greenbrier, Tennessee Friday before wrapping up the tour at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway Saturday night.
The finish:
Feature (30 laps): 1. Eric Humphries (15) 2. Bobby Santos III (22a) 3. Matt Elliott (24) 4. Jason Blonde (42) 5. Bryan Gossel (6g) 6. Teddy Alberts (44) 7. Mike Anderson (68) 8. Austyn Gossel (16) 9. Tom Paterson (11) 10. Wade Buttrey (100) 11. Kevin Feeney (69) 12. Tommy Nichols (55) 13. Brian Bowker (99) 14. Johnny Gilbertson (22)