MULLINS ENDS TWO MONTH DROUGHT IN MODIFIEDS - July 27, 2002

BOBBY WALLS III, WINS MODIFIED LITES FEATURE

, Del. pulled out his old Troyer chassis and put it back into victory lane in Saturday night’s 25-lap Modified feature at the Delaware International Speedway. Bobby Walls, III of Ridgely, Md. led wire-to-wire to win the 15-lap Modified Lite main.

Adam Jarrell led the first lap of the Modified feature before the yellow flew for Chad Marvel. On the restart, Kyle Strickler who was running in fifth slowed and the yellow was out again. Lap three saw the caution fly for the third straight lap as Marvel, Scott Irwin, and Dave Simmons tangled. Mullins had ducked in front but had to go back to second as the scoring went back to the last completed lap.

Jarrell looked strong on the restart but that was short lived as he slowed coming off the second turn on lap five and pulled into the infield. Mullins was now the pace setter followed by Cliff Foskey and H.J Bunting. As Mullins opened a big advantage, Bunting pulled even with Foskey and took second on lap 11.

At the halfway sign the top five were Mullins, Bunting, Foskey, Ricky Johnson, and Robert Dutton. The final yellow was out at the halfway point as Doug Beach spun to a stop. Mullins again pulled away on the restart as Johnson got by Foskey for third.

Bunting was able to close on a couple of occasions but Mullins had the superior handling car and took the checkered by 1.104 seconds. It was Mullins’ third win of the season in the Gene’s Auto Sales/Troyer/Feil. Mullins was doubly happy with the win as his father Gene had just successfully undergone nine hours of throat surgery and is expected home from the hospital in Virginia by Tuesday of this week.

Bunting, Johnson, Foskey, and Dutton rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were invader Jimmy Chester, Deron Rust, Andy Best, Mike Covey, and Sparky White. Jarrell and Foskey won the heats.

Bobby Walls started on the pole of the Modified Lite feature and was never seriously challenged throughout the 15-lap distance. As Walls ran in the low groove, Mike Vammino tried to mount a challenge in the high groove. At the crossed flags the top five were Walls, Vammino, Tom Curtis, Mike Stratton, and Joe Warren.

Vammino faded as Stratton battled Tom Curtis for second. Landis Musser rolled to a stop setting up a one lap shootout for the win. Walls again was able to hold a 0.246 second win at the finish over Stratton with Curtis, Jon Callaway, and Danny Martin rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Lucky Kohland, Warren, Erik McKinney, Dana Walker, and John Curtis. Vammino and Stratton won the heats.

A scary moment occurred in the Modified Lite heat when George Richardson went head on into the fourth turn wall. Richardson was knocked unconscious and drifted into the infield where safety worker, Calvin Musser was able to catch the drifting car and shut off the engine. Richardson regained consciousness and was taken to the hospital where he was checked out and released with only minor injuries.

This Saturday night the Slide for 5 cars will join the four weekly divisions. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7:30 p.m.

RESULTS: 25-Lap Modified Feature: 1. CRAIG MULLINS; 2. H.J. Bunting; 3. Ricky Johnson; 4. Cliff Foskey; 5. Robert Dutton; 6. Jimmy Chester; 7. Deron Rust; 8. Andy Best; 9. Mike Covey; 10. Sparky White; 11. Ellsey Conover; 12. Gary Simpson; 13. Doug Beach; 14. Norman Short; 15. Adam Jarrell; 16. Chad Marvel; 17. Dave Simmons; 18. Scott Irwin; 19. Kyle Strickler; 20. Rick Bishop; DNS: Jim Carey; Eddie Brown.

15-Lap Modified Lite Feature: 1. BOBBY WALLS, III; 2. Mike Stratton; 3. Tom Curtis; 4. Jon Callaway; 5. Danny Martin; 6. Lucky Kohland; 7. Joe Warren; 8. Erik McKinney; 9. Dana Walker; 10. John Curtis; 11. Dale Hawkins; 12. Herb Tunis; 13. Mike Vammino; 14. Tim White; 15. Nick Hendricks; 16. Landis Musser; DNS: Steve White; George Richardson.