West Coast Swing CANCELLED

September 1, 2021, Mountain Home, ID – Due to several factors the King of the Wing Ownership have decided to cancel the west coast races scheduled for Nov 12 – 14 in Arizona and California. KotW has been in discussions with the affected tracks, and they agreed to cancel the races.

It is unfortunate that we can not complete the 2021 season. We apologize to our sponsors, teams and fans. If any driver/owner paid for a full season membership and did not compete in at least 4 races they can expect a partial refund based on the number of races attended. Checks will be mailed out by September 21st ..

 

 LATEST PRESS RELEASE

KING OF THE WING HEADS TO THE MID-WEST
3 TRACKS, 3-DAYS

July 27, 2021 Mountain Home, ID – The King of the Wing Midwest Tour is less than a week away and King of the Wing (KOTW) staff has reached out to drivers to see what fans can expect. The early indication is that the lineup of drivers will be stout with several states from all over the country represented. The three events will also be co-sanctioned by the Auto Value Super Sprints (AVSS).

The KOTW series will kick off its Midwest Tour on Thursday night August 5 at Kentucky Motor Speedway in Whitesville, Kentucky. It will be the first time the 3/8 high-banked track in northwestern Kentucky has hosted sprint cars. King of the Wing drivers look forward to tackling the high bank and setting a new track record.

The following night, August 6, the series will venture to the most interesting track sprint cars may ever race at. Veterans Motorplex (formerly Highland Rim Speedway) in Greenbrier, Tennessee. The high-banked, very tight quarter mile should prove highly entertaining. With a concrete wall on both sides of the track, and a narrow racing surface, passing could be at a premium.
In 1994 the now defunct AWOL series made two stops at Veterans Motorplex. On June 25, 1994, Paul Madden picked up a 35-lap victory. The series returned on August 26 that year and Red Stauffer picked up a 35-lap win.

The series will conclude the weekend on Saturday night August 7 with a visit to the .596 high- banked Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Larry Tyler won the only previous winged pavement event at the track during an AWOL event on June 1, 1996. The track last hosted sprint cars (non-wing version) when USAC visited on September 12, 2004, when Bobby East and Dave Steele each picked up a 77-lap feature event on the same night.

Expected drivers who have already conformed for the Midwest Tour include Bryan Gossel, Austyn Gossel, Bobby Santos III, Tom Paterson, Mike Anderson, Johnny Gilbertson, Troy DeCaire, Jason Blonde, Tommy Nichols, Aaron Pierce, and Eric Humphries. Additional drivers will be announced in the coming days as they are confirmed.

The early expected entries are a who’s who of winged pavement sprint car racing. A good number of former pavement sprint car series champions will be represented. Former Multi-time AVSS CHAMPION Jason Blonde and current AVSS points leader Tom Paterson will represent the Midwest along with 2020 Little 500 champion Bobby Santos III.

The west cost will be headlined by two-time and defending KOTW champion Eric Humphries and 2020 USAC Silver Crown rookie of the Year Bryan Gossel.

Florida will be represented by former Southern Sprint Car Shootout Series champions Troy DeCaire and Johnny Gilbertson. Decaire currently leads the nation with 10 total pavement sprint car victories thus far in 2021. 

 

Humphries Did Not Lose His Touch Over Forced Year Off
July 6, 2021– Mountain Home, ID

The King of the Wing returned to the track Friday July 2nd after having to cancel the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Fifteen cars, traveling from California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Indiana were in attendance for the season opener in Cheyenne. Wyoming. No one can remember if Winged Sprintcars ever raced at this semi banked quarter-mile oval. The fastest lap ever recorded at the track is listed as a 12.7 by a late model stock car.

Chris Muhler was first to qualify shattering that track record with an 11.941. Eric Humphries topped that with an 11.866, followed by Austin Carter turning an 11.845 lap. Carter is now the all-time track record holder for this quarter-mile oval. After all cars qualified 12 of the 15 cars were faster than the old track record.

Colorado’s Randy Whitman and Idaho’s Matt Elliott driving the Jimmy Waters machine out of Utah were the CSI and Wilwood heat race winners of the night. By rule the pill draw for the Hoosier Tire feature goes to the quick qualifier. Carter drew the 6 chip and that put Utah’s Ryan Burdett on the pole with Washington’s, Chris Schmelzle on the outside. Burdett took the early lead with Humphries, Carter, Muhler and Bryan Gossel fighting for position behind him. Lap 19 brought out the first caution with a spin in turn 1. This brought the field nose to tail on the restart. On the restart there was another spin bringing out the 2nd and final caution of the night. This spin saw Mike Anderson having to leave on the
hook. When he braked for the caution his master cylinder broke and he slide to the wall. Humphries made several passes in the final laps and took home the victory followed by Burdett and Muhler. Carter and Gossel followed in 4th and 5th.

The teams packed up Friday night and headed 1 and a 1⁄2 hours south to the 3/8th mile of Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado just North of the Capitol of Denver for a 2-night show. All 15 teams from Friday made the trek and they were joined by 3 more teams 1 from Utah and 2 local Colorado drivers.

Carter was again fast topping the leader board in both practices and qualifying. Whitman again was the winner of the MPI heat race. In the Beast heat the top 3 came out of turn 4 nose to tail as they saw the White flag flying, J. Burdett went to the outside of Elliot in the lead while Muhler went low making it 3- wide as they crossed the line, with the 10,000 plus fans roaring as the three crossed the line. Muhler took the lead and won.


Carter again drew a 6 for the invert of the 40 lap Hoosier Tire feature event. This put Utah’s Monty Bergener on the pole with R. Burdett on the outside. A yellow quickly followed the green when Muhler and B. Gossel got together on the back stretch of the first lap. Carter got into B. Gossel and both Carter and B. Gossel were in the wall sustaining heavy damage. Bergener lead on the restart and lead for several laps. R. Burdett took the lead 1/3 way through. Bergener broke the rear end on lap 25 bringing out a red flag for an extensive cleanup of rear end grease. Humphries had developed a shake in the car and exited the track and returned prior to the restart, he restarted at the rear of the field. The last 15
laps were caution free with Burdett crossing first followed by A. Gossel, and Humphries. This is Burdett’s nd King of the Wing feature win. It needs to be noted that his first win was several years ago at Meridian.

Speedway. It was a 50-lap feature that was run green, white checker, and Ryan had just completed a round of Chemotherapy days before that race. He has only run a few races since being cancer free and this is his first win since.

On a technical note, during post-race inspection, it was determined that Humphries had a cracked right rear wheel and needed to change that tire. By rule if a tire is change after the start of the race the driver will restart the race at the rear of the field 1 lap down. This moved Elliot up to 3rd with Jared Burdett in 4 th and Schmelzle in 5th. Humphries official finish was 7th 1 lap down. 

Sunday saw 18 teams again at the 3/8-mile oval just north of the mile high city of Denver. Several cars left the race due to damage and Mechanical issues the night before. Carter and B. Gossell were heavily damaged in the first lap crash and thrashed all night long and got their machines into top notch condition. Bergener repaired his rear end and Muhler who was involved in the 1st lap incident the night before but was able to continue left 1⁄2 way through with an issue. He missed both practices and presented in time for qualifying. As he completed the 1st lap of qualifying the engine let go at the start finish line ending his weekend. Carter again was quickest in both practices, but it was B. Gossel who top the board after qualifying followed by Humphries then Carter.

The Impact and iTEN TV heats were won by R. Burdett and Bergener.

For the third night in a row the invert was a 6 for the Hoosier Tire Feature, putting Anderson on the pole with R. Burdett on the outside. Anderson took the lead and was leading the first few laps when the rear of the car came around out of turn 4. Anderson was able to keep the car in the center of the track, unfortunately Carter was not able to avoid him and ran over his left rear causing enough damage where he needed the hook for the 2nd night in a row. R. Burdett inherited the lead and holding off challenges from B. Gossel and Humphries. A late caution brought the field together and Humphries an B. Gossel were able to get around R. Burdett. Humphries crossed the line first followed by B. Gossel and R. Burdett. A. Gossel and Bergener rounded out the top 5 respectively.
Humphries took home the Coveted Central Region Trophy beating out R. Burdett by 2 points over the 3 nights.

The King of the Wing resumes action Aug 5th, 6th and 7th at Kentucky Motor Speedway, Whitesville, KY, Veteran’s Motorplex on the Rim, Greenbrier, TN and Nashville Speedway at the Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN.



KOTW Looking Forward to Returning to the Asphalt in 2021
December 19, 2020 – Mountain Home, ID
 

Even before the COVID 19 Virus wiped out the entire 2020 season, KOTW Partners were working with tracks around the country to secure races for the 2021 season. At this time, we have 3 weekends with 9 races scheduled. We are working to get one additional weekend scheduled for the 2021 season.

As of today, we will kick off the season on the July 4th weekend with 3 races in the Central Region. We will run 3 races in the Mid-west in August alongside the Auto Value Bumper to Bumper Sprint Car Series. The final 3 races in the West Coast Region in November will be run with the Gunslinger series.

Friday, July 2, 2021 the KOTW series will run the quarter mile oval, Intermountain Speedway in Cheyanne, WY. We were schedule to run this track for the first time this past summer, so this will be the inaugural race. The series will travel 45 mins south for our annual double header at Colorado National Speedway, July 3rd and 4th. CNS always sells out and the drivers really enjoy this fast ½ mile oval.

Thursday, August 5th the series will join the Auto Value Super Sprints at Kentucky Motor Speedway 3/8-mile track in Whitesville, KY, for the start of another 3-race weekend. Both Series will travel 2 hours south to Veterans Motorplex at the Rim, Greenbrier, TN for a Friday night race on a short quarter mile oval. Saturday night the series continues south 45 mins to the 180 banks of the .596-mile oval at the Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville, TN. All three of these tracks will be a first for both series and we will be joined for the first with the Focus Midget. This weekend will also see the first KOTW sanctioned Midget race at Fairgrounds Speedway, Nashville. The Focus Midgets will be running all three tracks this weekend as well.


The series will conclude the 2021 season with 3 races out west. Friday, November 12th the series will join up with the Gunslingers at the ¼ mile oval of Havasu 95 Speedway in Lake Havasu, AZ. Both series will travel west to Irwindale, CA and the ½ mile Irwindale Speedway for a Saturday night shootout. Both Series will crown their 2021 Champions at the conclusion of the main event on Sunday November 14th at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, CA.

The KOTW Partners will keep our entire racing family, (drivers, their families, crews and all our fans) in our thoughts and prayers hoping you all remain healthy and have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

 

 

LATEST PRESS RELEASE

COVID 19 Virus Claims West Coast Tour - Declared 2020 Champion   

September 11, 2020 - Mountain Home, ID. The COVID – 19 Virus has claimed the last 3 races on the King of the Wing 2020 schedule. This virus has placed numerous restrictions on tracks throughout the country and like the previous scheduled races this year, has forced the cancellation of the West Coast Tour. 

Speaking on behave of the other KOTW owners Bill Adams expressed, “ We are extremely frustrated over the outcome of this season, we had our best schedule since our inception 6 years ago, only to lose it at no fault of anybody. We want to thank our great drivers, teams, tracks, sponsors and fans for their understanding.” 

Adams went on to say that the ownership group is actively working with numerous tracks to secure a great 2021 schedule. At this time the KOTW Owners have already secured 2 weekends, (6 races) for the 2021 season. The series will travel to the Central region, Intermountain Speedway in Cheyanne, Wyoming, July 2nd and a 2-day show July 3rd & 4th at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado. After having to cancel the November races the promoters of all three tracks, Havasu Speedway, Irwindale Speedway and Kern County Raceway Park were quick to confirm they are on the docket for November 12 -14 2021. 

The owners are working on dates for February, June, August and September and hope to release the schedule before the first of the year.  

 

 

King of the Wing Mid-West Tour Gets Hit From COVID

September 11, 2020 - Mountain Home, ID. The COVID – 19 Virus continued to play havoc with this year’s King of the Wing Series. Two weeks ago, it looked like the Mid-west series was going to happen and King of the Wing Officials were in high gear getting ready to run our first 3 races of the season. 

 

While finalizing details with the three tracks (Veteran’s Motorplex on the Rim, Salem Speedway and Kentucky Motor Speedway) we were told that two them have had spectator restrictions placed on them and could not run our events with limited spectator support. 

 

The King of the Wing is a National Series and its schedule format runs two or three events in a region over 1 weekend. This format allows our core drivers from all across the USA and Canada to run several events and only incur travel expense once for the weekend verse two or three times to the region. With two of the tracks not being able to host the series we are forced to cancel the Mid-west race weekend. 

 

Veteran’s Motorplex would like to host a Winged Sprintcar exhibition on Saturday, September 26th. All teams will receive some compensation for attending. The King of the Wing ownership supports this exhibition and will work with teams that would like to support this track that wants to be a staple on the King of the Wing Series. 

 

For those interested please give Bill Adams, 208 284-4108, a call. All three tracks have committed to the 2021 schedule, dates to be determined later. Our last hope for the King of the Wing series to get on track this year is with Havasu 95 Speedway, Lake Havasu, AR; Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA; and Kern County Raceway Park, Bakersfield, CA; November 13-15. As of posting of this release these tracks are operating and plan on hosting our races.  

 

Northwest Swing Postponed

  July 2, 2020 - Mountain Home, ID. The Coronavirus hit the King of the Wing Northwest schedule this week. Meridian Speedway’s progress in reopening was setback last week when the county in southwest Idaho reverted to phase 3 limiting the number of fans in the stands. In the state of Washington, home of both Yakima and Evergreen Speedway, officials have not given track promotors any idea as when fans can once again entertain large number of fans. Unfortunately, with this news we are forced to postpone the Northwest Tour July 29 th – Aug 1 st . We will continue to monitor the situation in these states and if an opportunity arises, we will reschedule at a later date.


 

LATEST PRESS RELEASE

Covid -19 Hits King of the Wing Schedule

  May 28, 2020- Mountain Home, ID.  The King of the Wing officials, in coordination with Colorado National Speedway and Intermountain Speedway promoters, have been forced to postpone the Central Tour. This postponement is consideration of Colorado and Wyoming. directives that detail their respective recovery from the shutdown due to the Coronavirus. These directives affect the amount of people that can gather at the respective venues.

We are aware that most major sporting activities, including several major racing organizations, are operating, or planning to operate with no fans in the stands. These organizations have huge corporate sponsorships and television revenue sharing deals that make it possible for them to run without income. Although our partner tracks have great sponsors it just is not enough to pay the bills associated with running a full race event.

Currently a rescheduled date is not available. We will continue to monitor the State’s recovery progress and try to reschedule this event later in the year.



LATEST PRESS RELEASE

Rory Price Memorial Returns to the King of the Wing Schedule

February 24, 2020 - Mountain Home, ID. The King of the Wing Northwest races are set July 29th – Aug 1st, in Idaho and Washington. The Northwest tour returns to a mid-summer date after being run in mid-September over the last few years.

The first race of the Northwest swing will be the “Pink Lady Classic” on Wednesday, July 29th at the famed 1⁄4 mile bullring in downtown Meridian, ID. This year’s single night event will be part of the Speedways’ mid-summer King of the Wing Swing. “It’s always great to get Meridian back on the schedule, fans are some the most dedicated sprint car fans in the country”, stated Chuck Handley, King of the Wing Race Director. Adam Nelson, Meridian Speedway General Manager said, “We are excited to provide a mid-week event of this caliber for our fans”. The Pink Lady Classic will be a 40-lap feature.

Thursday July 30th will be a travel day for the teams to make the 5-hour trek northwest to Yakima, Washington. Race 2 of the Northwest tour will be a 30-lap feature event at the 1⁄2 mile paved oval of Yakima Speedway on July 31st. This is the first visit to Yakima for the National Winged Sprint car Series and the first time for sprintcars in several years for this track located in south central Washington. “It’s always exciting to go to a new venue and bring the fans the fastest cars on pavement ovals” said Bill Adams, KotW Admin Director.

The series will complete the northwest tour with the Rory Price Memorial at the 3/8-mile oval of Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. The series last ran this track in July of 2016. This years Rory Price Memorial will combine 3 Winged Sprintcars series all running for their own respective points. The Granite Series, Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association and the King of the Wing will bring one of the largest fields of Wing Sprintcars together and run in the memory of Rory Price. Rory was one of the most versatile drivers ever in the Northwest, he drove midgets, 360 and 410 sprint cars, with wings and without, on both Dirt and Pavement. In his career he won races all over the west coast with WMRA, BCRA, USAC, NSRA and at Skagit Speedway. Brian Rex, RPM spokesman said, “We are extremely excited to have the King of the Wing included in the 2020 Rory Price Memorial to help make this the best winged sprint car race in the country”.

With this announcement the King of the Wing has 9 races scheduled in 3 regions. The Central region race are July 3rd – 5th at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado and Intermountain Speedway in Cheyanne, Wyoming. The West coast Swing is November 13th – 15th at the new 99 Havasu Speedway in Lake Havasu, Arizona, Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, California, and Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, California. The KotW partners are working hard to secure races for the mid-west region and hope to release dates for those races in the near future.

 


LATEST PRESS RELEASE

Three Events for King of the Wing Schedule Central Tour, No Southeast Dates

  • December 31, 2019 – Mountain Home, ID, The King of the Wing owners are pleased to announce that the King of the Wing National Sprintcar Series, Central tour is set to take place July 3-5, 2020. In addition to Colorado National Speedway’s (CNS) 2-day show, the series will travel 76 miles North to Intermountain Speedway (former Big Country Speedway) in Cheyenne,WY.


    The Series will be returning to the fast 3/8th mile oval in Dacono, CO. Shortly after completing the 2019 races, Colorado National Speedway, promotor Jim Nordhougen, was inviting us back for the 2020 July 4th weekend. Friday, July 3rd will kick off with a 30-lap feature event. Saturday,July 4th the feature will be 40-laps. Jason Conn set the initial track record for the series on ourfirst trip there in 2016, with a 14.013. Current series Champion Eric Humphries bettered that time by almost a half second in 2019 with a 13.542 at the Saturday night event and Bobby Santos won both races in 2019.


    The 3-day race weekend will conclude Sunday, July 5th at Intermountain Speedway in
    Cheyenne, WY. This is the first ever trip by the Winged Sprint Car Series to this 1⁄4 mile oval. “This will be the biggest show ever to come to Intermountain Speedway,” stated promoter Perry Kinard. He went on to say, “Fans are in for a thrill, these are the fastest asphalt short track cars in the country.”

    On another note the King of the Wing will not tour in the Southeast in 2020. “We worked hard over the last month with the Southern Sprintcar Shootout Series and several tracks in South Central Florida. Unfortunately, the clock ran out on trying to secure dates,” said Series Director, Tom Hartsell. Series Founder Davey Hamilton added, “We were up against the clock, it would be unfair to our teams to announce a date with little time to prepare. We are now working with the SSS and the South-Central tracks to get on the schedule in 2021.”

    KotW Administration Director, Bill Adams stated, “The rest of our 2020 schedule is coming
    together, we are close to finalizing tracks in the Mid and North West Regions. As soon as we confirm the tracks announcements will be made.”


2020 KotW Schedule Coming Together; West Coast Returns to 3 Race Format

December 17, 2019 – Mountain Home, ID, The King of the Wing Partners are lining up a verypowerful 2020 schedule. The series is pursuing multiple races in 5 different regions. The WestCoast Region races will be co-sanctioned with the Gunslinger Sprintcar Series. These races will be the season finale for both series and Champions will be crowned after the last race. Austin Carter, Gunslinger Series Director stated, “The Gunslingers are excited to co-sanction with the King of the Wing series for the finale of both series. These exciting events will bring together the best drivers from the west coast to test themselves against the best in the nation. This is something we’ve been working towards for a few years and to see it finally come to action is very exciting for us".


In addition to the West Coast staple combo of Irwindale and Kern County the series will open the final weekend of the 2020 season on Friday November 13 th at Havasu 95 Speedway, LakeHavasu, AZ. This quarter mile oval is located on the Arizona/California border. Our regionalseries last competed at the 95 Speedway in 2015 where Davey Hamilton Jr, set a new track record with a 12.868 second lap and won the 50-lap feature. “This track is a great addition to our already established west coast tour”, said Series Director, Tom Hartsell.The series will travel to the ½ mile oval at Irwindale Speedway west of Los Angeles for a 30-lap feature event on Saturday November 14 th . The series has visited Irwindale 6 times with Bobb ySantos winning the last 2 races. Series Admin Director, Bill Adams stated, “This track is a driver favorite and we look forward to having Irwindale as part of our Championship weekend.

The 2020 series will return to the traditional Sunday running of the George “Ziggy” Snyder
Classic on Sunday November 15 th at Kern County Raceway Parks high banked ½ mile in
Bakersfield California for 30 laps of wheel to wheel action. “Bobby Santos dominated the 2019 race at the fastest track the series races on and we will be crowning the series Champion at this final event”, stated Chuck Handley, Series Race Director.

Stay tuned for future 2020 track announcements later this week.



  •