MULLINS "THREE-PEATS" IN DELAWARE MODIFIEDS
Craig Mullins of Bridgeville, Del. seems to have hit upon the perfect setup for his Troyer modified as he piloted it to his third consecutive victory in Saturday night's 25-lap Valley National Gases Modified feature at the Delaware International Speedway. Eddie Towers of Milford, Del. has been equally impressive after taking over the driving chores of the Glenn Richards Modified Lite as he won his fourth straight in the 15-lap main.
The two youngest drivers in the field, rookie Andy Best and 2000 Rookie of the Year, Kyle Strickler paced the big block field at the start. Darren Wroten battled his way into second behind Best on lap three with Craig Mullins following into third one lap later. Mullins charged by both Wroten and Best for the lead just as the yellow came out for points leader, Bobby Wilkins on lap five.
Rick Bishop got by Best for second on the restart and at he halfway sign the top five were Mullins, Bishop, Best, Strickler, and Norman Short. Short moved by Strickler for fourth with Chad Marvel drafting into fifth. As Mullins opened a comfortable lead, Strickler went to the high groove and marched back into fourth.
At the checkered, it was Mullins in the Gene's Auto Sales/Subway/Troyer posting the win. Bishop, Best, Strickler, and Short rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Glenn Reed, Marvel, Cliff Foskey, Wilkins, and Ricky Johnson. Wroten, Mullins, and Bishop won the heats with Scott Irwin taking the consolation.
The 15-lap Modified Lite feature was almost over before it began as front runners Nick Hendricks and Herb Tunis tangled going into the third turn on the first lap. The resulting melee saw three cars get upside down and a total of 14 cars were involved. No one was seriously injured.
Eddie Towers took command on the restart with Mike Vammino running in second. Bobby Walls, III moved into the second spot and was followed first by Mike Stratton and then by Dana Walker. At the halfway sign, Towers was solidly in control with Walls, Walker, Stratton and Vammino following in the top five.
The second half of the race was incident free. Tunis worked his way back into the top five and locked into a battle with Judd Mills for fourth. Towers pulled away to take his fourth consecutive checkered in the P.J.'s Armory/Coastal Marine/Pro Suzuki. Walls, Stratton, Mills, and Tunis rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Walker, Vammino, Joe Warren, George Richardson, and John Curtis. Tunis and Hendricks won the heats.
This Saturday night the United Racing Club returns as part of Valley National Gases Night. They will join the Valley National Gases Modifieds, the Late Models, the Street Modifieds, and the Modified Lites. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m.
Valley National Gases 25-Lap Modified Feature: 1. CRAIG MULLINS; 2. Rick Bishop; 3. Andy Best; 4. Kyle Strickler; 5. Norman Short; 6. Glenn Reed; 7. Chard Marvel; 8. Cliff Foskey; 9. Bobby Wilkins; 10. Ricky Johnson; 11. Doug Rose; 12. Darren Wroten; 13. Adam Jarrell; 14. Robert Dutton; 15. Scott Irwin; 16. Bobby Watkins; 17. Deron Rust; 18. Tim Millman; 19. Doug Beach; 20. Chris Glanden; 21. H.J. Bunting; 22. Mike Covey.
15-Lap Street Modified Feature: 1. EDDIE TOWERS; 2. Bobby Walls, III; 3. Mike Stratton; 4. Judd Mills; 5. Herb Tunis; 6. Dana Walker; 7. Mike Vammino; 8. Joe Warren; 9. George Richardson; 10. John Curtis; 11. Landis Musser; 12. Patrick Argo; 13. J.R. Steele; 14. Jon Callaway; 15. Erik McKinney; 16. Bucky McNatt; 17. Justin Collett; 18. Jason Cahall; 19. Nick Hendricks; DNS: David McNatt.