HUMBOLDT, Kan. — A funny thing happened on the way to King of America X powered by Summit.

In January, USMTS officials announced the schedule for the Summit USMTS National Championship fueled by Casey’s. With more than $300,000 earmarked just for the winners from the more than $1 million in prize money up for grabs this season, 26 of the 36 race nights pay at least $10,000 to win while the other 10 carry a $5,000 top prize.

With this week’s tenth running of the King of America Modified Nationals, some felt that the crown jewel event may become just another race with the same top prize dangling at the end of the fishing pole.

Joe Duvall was one of those people.

“Since 2011, the King of America has been one of the big ones every year for the USMTS,” Duvall said. “I want to keep the KOA one of the big ones. I want to make it a $20,000-to-win race.”

Duvall, who owns and operates Duvall Electric — a world-class electrical contractor headquartered in Claremore, Okla. — started by throwing in the first $1,000 and began hustling to raise money for the race.

Then, Humboldt Speedway promoter Ryan Whitworth matched Duvall’s investment and S&S Fishing & Rental owner Shane Sprinkle matched them both. Suddenly there was four grand in the bag.

“Then it started rolling.”

By the time racers begin rolling into the Humboldt Speedway this Wednesday, March 24, for practice night, it’s estimated that the 2020 Crown Jewel Preservation Project will put an additional $20,000 in the pockets of those who squeeze their heads into a helmet and pull the seatbelts tight this weekend.

How’s that for priceless?

The King of America X finale this Saturday, March 27, now pays $20,000 to win and $1,000 to start (up from $750 to start). And it’s all thanks to the financial contributions and support from the following five-star sponsors:

Duvall Electric, Whitworth Construction, S&S Fishing & Rental, Diva Dogs, Hacienda Mechanical, Texas Locomotive Solutions, Laundromat Bar & Grill, Mayes Plumbing, Kaw Valley Companies, Trails End Ranch, Rick Beebe Heating & Air, Collins Brothers Towing, Mississippi Thunder Speedway, VanderBuilt Race Cars, TP Fabrication, Wichita Tire & Alignment, KEVKO Oil Pans & Racing Components, Canoe Creek Sheep Farm, Fat Girl Transport, Wichita Tank Racing and Sevens Restaurant & Steakhouse, which is offering $777 to the first driver failing to get into the big dance. Fast Shafts will be awarding a new carbon fiber driveshaft to the winner.