Tyler Courtney is in his quote-on-quote rookie season going full-time winged, sprint car racing. But he certainly doesn’t look like one.
He was the points leader in the All Star Circuit of Champions coming into the week at Eldora, and after Saturday, he leaves as the champion of the 38th running of the Kings Royal.
“Holy shit, dude,” Courtney said in victory lane. “We’re not supposed to be doing this. We took a chance going winged racing this year. This is so cool.”
Not only was the race Courtney’s first time at the Kings Royal, but it was the first time he had ever gotten to see the festivities of the post-race ceremony.
He’s had to be honoring USAC commitments in the past during the big sprint car show at Eldora.
“This is my first time even just being a part of the Kings Royal or even watching one,” Courtney said on DirtVision. “Anything that’s during Kings Royal week, we were always running Indiana Sprint Week.
Courtney got off to a big lead during the initial start of the race, going around Justin Peck to lead the first lap.
However, a three-car accident that took out Kerry Madsen, Gio Scelzi, and Cory Eliason reset the field as well as the race. All three cars exited for the afternoon.
On the next stint, Courtney was passed by Brad Sweet – but the 49’s time in the lead was short lived.
Ahead of the halfway mark, during a caution flag, Sweet as well as Brian Brown cut their right rear tires. It forced Sweet to pit from the race lead and Courtney inherited the top spot.
Courtney battled to hold off David Gravel during the second half of the race, and ultimately did to ring in the crown jewel win at Eldora.
“To beat Brad at their place – this is special,” Courtney said. “This is something that’s not going to sink in for probably the rest of the night and probably the rest of the season.”
Courtney will have a short time to celebrate, though. The 37th running of the Kings Royal – essentially the makeup race since there wasn’t one ran in 2020 – starts later tonight.
Gravel, on the other hand, will want to forget this one as quick as possible. He was disqualified after the race for being light on the scales.
The full field will re-qualify for tonight’s action and run a full Kings Royal show, broadcasted as always, by DirtVision.
38th running of the Kings Royal Results
Eldora Speedway
1. Tyler Courtney
2. Danny Dietrich
3. Daryn Pittman
4. Bill Balog
5. Sheldon Haudenschild
6. Carson Macedo
7. Donny Schatz
8. Rico Abreu
9. Brad Sweet
10. Brian Brown
11. Justin Peck
12. Sye Lynch
13. Spencer Bayston
14. Brock Zearfoss
15. Kraig Kinser
16. Paul McMahan
17. Lachlan McHugh
18. Logan Schuchart
19. Shawn Dancer
20. Dave Blaney
21. Cory Eliason
22. Kerry Madsen
23. Gio Scelzi
24. David Gravel (DQ, light on scales)
