Huggler sweeps Kalamazoo

Ryan Huggler celebrates victory at Kalamazoo Speedway (Aaron Skillman photo)

By Ken de la Bastide

As he crossed the finish line Ryan Huggler pumped his fists which was a fitting end to his night at Kalamazoo Speedway. The Kenyon Midget Series visited the fast paved oval for the first time as part of a three-race swing through Michigan.

Huggler took the K&K Marketing Fast Qualifier award setting a new track record of 13.952-seconds besting Clayton Gaines and Evan Hammond.

Following two heat races Dameron Taylor and Huggler started on the front row after the redraw.

Buddy Hollmeyer grabbed the lead at the start with a nifty pass of Taylor chased by Huggler and Gaines.

Huggler moved into the second spot on the second circuit and took the lead from Hollmeyer on the fifth lap with a pass existing turn two.

Hollmeyer brought out the only caution flag spinning in turn four while running second.

Gaines took the lead on the restart from Huggler, but was able to maintain the point for just a single lap.

Huggler went on to win for the fourth time in his career followed by Gaines, Evan Hammond, first time competitor Clayton Bohanon and Taylor.

“It's been a long-time coming,” Huggler said of the victory. “It's been six years since I got a win.

“I'm looking forward to the two races at Berlin,” he continued. “I hope to keep my nose clean and fight for the championship.”

Gaines has now posted a win and two second place finishes in 2024.

“I needed to figure out the set-up,” he said. “We made some changes, but couldn't find the speed.”

Hammond said he worked all day trying to figure the car out for the new track.

“We were struggling,” he said.

Hammond said he waited for the right opportunity to pass Taylor for the podium finish.

“He was stronger in turns three and four, so I just waited for a good moment to make the pass,” he said.

The win gave Huggler a leg up in the K&K Marketing Wolverine Trifecta bonus standings.

The current point leader led every lap to win the first KRJ Race Products heat race with Gaines scoring the win in the second preliminary event.

Rookie Trisdon Brown captured the Advanced Suspension Suspensions Hard Charger award