HAMMERDOWN: NEW KINGS CROWNED AT KING OF THE HAMMERS

WORDS BY SHAUN OCHSNER PHOTOS: SHAUN OCHSNER, RICHARD GIORDANO (KOH), RYAN DEL PONTE (KOH), CAN-AM, NICOLE DREON (KOH)

In its twelve-year existence, just five guys have been able to crack the code at winning the King of the Hammers. Many of those elite five have multiple king titles at the Hammers. Those elite five, just became a kingdom of six this year. That’s because with luck and determination, Josh Blyler cracked the code and won the 2020 King of The Hammers. Over 100 racers work all year long to make it into the most epic combination of rock and desert race known as King of the Hammers. Many build cars just for this once a year event. Some travel from all over the world, hoping to grab a last chance qualifier position in the main race. It starts with the Ultra-4 series itself. Racers have to participate in races around the country, throughout the year and place in the top spots to even qualify for the King of the Hammers main event. If you are one of the “elite six,” you are already qualified into the main for life.

The 2020 King of the Hammers event saw several lead changes. Fans were on the edge of their seats watching live coverage and tracking. As the hours ticked by, it was anybody’s race. Former and defending king, Jason Scherer was out front. Scherer went down with a transmission failure. Next up was two-time former king Loren Healy. Healy suffered driveline issues. Bailey Campbell took the physical lead on the second lap.

It wouldn’t be long before her race vehicle was dead stopped on the course with a water pump problem. Cameron Steele then moved into to the lead, but he would soon also stop with a broken steering rack. Marcos Gomez was next in contention for the lead. Gomez broke a tie rod just miles from the finish. That’s when 12 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM

Josh Blyler made his move. Somehow coming down the rock section in Backdoor, Blyler flipped the vehicle on its roof. Once he and his co-driver got the vehicle back on all four wheels, Blyler left his co-driver behind and raced to the finish line for the win. So, who is Josh Blyler? Blyler hails from Above: Erik Miller “hammers down” Backdoor. Below: Promoter Dave Cole congratulates Josh Blyler on his King of the Hammers win.

Pennsylvania. He began racing the King of the Hammers just 4 years ago with dreams of just finishing the event. He was successful with a 6th place finish. Blyler raced a vehicle built by Erik Miller of Miller Motorsports. Ironically, Miller finished behind Blyler after struggling with issues on the race course. The King of the Hammers UTV event also saw a new king crowned. KOH rookie Hunter Miller beat the rest of the field for a win at his first ever KOH race. Miller has multiple GNCC and WORCS championships on his resume. Miller, who has been racing for 25 years says King of the Hammers is the absolute hardest race he has ever done. Cody Webb took the crown in the King of the Motos race after spending months recovering from an ACL injury. Brad Lovell beat Seth VanDyke by seconds in the Every Man Challenge event. Bryce Menzies took home a $100,000 paycheck after winning the “We do this for the experience. We do this for us, we’re having fun, just to be here is unreal.” -Josh Blyler

Above: Marcos Gomez works his way through the rocks. Below: Brad Lovell drives his way to a EMC win. (Photo: Richard Giordano)

Above Left: Riders battle the rocks during the King of the Motos. (Photo: Ryan Del Ponte) Above Right: Hunter Miller wins the UTV Event (Photo: Can-Am) Left: Cody Webb takes the victory at King of the Motos (Photo: Nicole Dreon)

T1 Desert Invitational.

As zero hour approached at the main KOH event, only 44 racers out of 97 would finish. Of course, the high attrition rate at the Hammers is nothing new. One racer was quoted as saying “it aint over until you actually cross the finish line.” Anything can happen out there in the rocks. Some have the secret winning formula figured out and some are still struggling. Really, it seems like a lot of luck and smart driving to win the King of the Hammers. Now that the secret is out, it’s time for a new era of kings! 14 | DIRTSPORTSWORLD.COM