KALAMAZOO, Mich. – California’s Eric Humphries today has confirmed that he has entered the second annual American Speed U.S. Nationals at Kalamazoo Speedway May 27-28.
The event features two complete nights of racing with a full show each night for the Must See Racing Sprint Series presented by Engine Pro.
The three time and defending King of the Wing champion is coming off a spectacular 2021 season. In addition to his third consecutive KOTW title, Humphries won half of the series races last season. Humphries also confirmed he will compete in the MSR opener at South Boston, Va., April 29-30. These events will be the first time he has competed in MSR events. Humphries will be aboard the Carl Mott and Dennis Boulding Harvest Supply Racing Beast chassis. The car will be prepared by the S&E Motorsports team.
With Humphries’ announcement, he becomes the second west coast driver to enter the American Speed U.S. Nationals in the last week. Idaho driver Colton Nelson entered the event early last week. Drivers from Virginia, Ohio, California, Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Idaho, and Canada are expected to be represented at this year’s American Speed U.S. Nationals.
Humphries explained his interest in racing east of the Mississippi River with a new series this coming season.
“Over the last couple years, we’ve been looking at racing back east,” explained Humphries. “We ran with King of the Wing a few times. We’re not committed to any series in 2022. We wanna free-lance a little bit and run with some different groups.
“We wanna see where we stack up with these guys back there. There are a lot of good drivers back there that run with Must See Racing. I know it’s not gonna be easy at all, but we’re racers. We wanna race where we can. This is a great opportunity.
“Through conversations with Jim Hanks, he asked me ‘what’s it gonna take to get you to come run with us.’ I said stop running single race weekends,” Humphries joked. “The first two weekends of the MSR schedule are two-race weekends this year, and that’s what drew me out there”.
Things will be slightly different for Humpies as he enters MSR competition for the first time. He will be on a different brand of tire than he’s used to and his 410 engine will not be restricted this go-around.
”We plan on doing a little bit of testing,” Humphries said. “Running the motors wide open is not going to be an issue. We know what we gotta do to get them to run wide open. That part doesn’t concern me as much as figuring out the tires. The whole setup approach, as well as running these tires with the motor wide open, is definitely making us do our homework before we go out there.”
Humphries realizes he will have his work cut out for him at the American Speed U.S. Nationals with the level of competition expected.
“I know that weekend will be the bigger of the two weekends,” Humphries said. “I have not run at either track. From the videos I’ve seen, Kalamazoo looks like it’s gonna be a fast, fun, track. Kalamazoo looks like it’s gonna be stacked with good a caliber of drivers. I’m anxious to get going. Hopefully we have some good nights and run well.”