MULLINS & WILKINS IN DEAD HEAT - 08/04/01
MULLINS & WILKINS FINISH IN DEAD HEAT IN DELAWARE MODIFIEDS
Delmar, DE - In one of the most thrilling finishes ever at the Delaware International Speedway, Craig Mullins of Bridgeville, Del. and Bobby Wilkins of Milford, Del. crossed the finish line in a photo finish in Saturday night's Valley National Gases 25-lap Modified feature. A post race inspection of the tape found it impossible to give the advantage to either driver and the race was officially declared a tie. Mike Vammino of Lincoln, Del. added his own excitement as he captured his first career win in the 15-lap Modified Lite main.
Rick Bishop got a good start and took the lead from pole sitter, Glenn Reed on lap one of the Valley National Gases Modified Feature. On lap five, Craig Mullins moved by Chad Marvel for third and one lap later took Reed for second. Bobby Wilkins followed into the third spot as the yellow came out for the slowing cars of Kyle Strickler and Marvel.
On the restart, Wilkins got by Mullins for second but Mullins regained the spot on the next lap. Ricky Johnson charged into fourth with Norman Short and Cliff Foskey dueling for fifth. Mullins grabbed the lead from Bishop on lap 12 and at the halfway sign the top five were Mullins, Bishop, Wilkins, Johnson, and Foskey.
Wilkins got by but could not shake Bishop on lap 15. On lap 19, Wilkins pulled under Mullins but could not make the pass. Mullins moved to the low groove forcing both Wilkins and Bishop to the high line. On the final lap, Wilkins went into the third turn deep and pulled even with the leader. The two drag raced to the checkered and crossed the finish line wheel-to-wheel.
Both drivers had their photos taken in victory lane with each driver thinking that they had gotten the win. The tape of the finish was taken to the East Coast Teleproductions studio where the finished was viewed on a high-definition monitor. After close inspection both Mullins, in the Gene's Auto Sales/Troyer and Wilkins in the Cassidy Painting/Olsen were declared co-winners. It was Mullins' fourth consecutive win and the third win of the year for Wilkins. Mullins, Wilkins, and Bishop won the heats with Mike Covey winning the consolation.
Jon Callaway led the first lap of the Modified Lite 15-lap feature before Eddie Towers, who started in sixth took the lead on lap two. Bobby Walls was heading to the front when his engine erupted in flames to bring out the yellow on lap three. Walls was not injured. Towers held of Callaway on the restart with Mike Vammino moving by Herb Tunis for third. Towers' night ended on lap seven when his engine went up in smoke bringing out the second caution.
Vammino had just gotten by Callaway and was the new leader on the restart. At the halfway sign the top two were followed in the top five by Danny Martin Judd Mills, and Mike Stratton. Vammino opened a comfortable lead while Martin and Stratton battled for second. Martin took the second spot for good with five laps to go but could not close on the Vammino who was running a flawless race. Vammino cruised to his first career win in The Exchange/Speed Works/Pro Suzuki. He was followed by Martin, Callaway, Mills and Stratton in the top five. Sixth through tenth were Tunis, J.R. Steele, Erik McKinney, Dana Walker and Landis Musser.
This Saturday night the Slide for 5 cars join the four weekly divisions plus the Vintage Stock Cars. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps beginning at 7 p.m.
Valley National Gases 25-Lap Modified Feature: 1. CRAIG MULLINS & BOBBY WILKINS (tie); 3. Rick Bishop; 4. Ricky Johnson; 5. Cliff Foskey; 6. Doug Beach; 7. Norman Short; 8. Gary Simpson; 9. Glenn Reed; 10. Mike Covey; 11. Andy Best; 12. Bobby Watkins; 13. Chris Glanden; 14. Kyle Strickler; 15. Scott Irwin; 16. Robert Dutton; 17. H.J. Bunting; 18. Dave Simmons; 19. Adam Jarrell; 20. Sparky White; 21. Ted Taylor; 22. Chad Marvel; 23. Tim Millman.
15-Lap Modified Lite Feature: 1. MIKE VAMMINO; 2. Danny Martin; 3. Jon Callaway; 4. Judd Mills; 5. Mike Stratton; 6. Herb Tunis; 7. J.R. Steele; 8. Erik McKinney; 9. Dana Walker; 10. Landis Musser; 11. John Curtis; 12. Glenn Richards; 13. Jason Musser; 14. Andy Hammond; 15. Bucky McNatt; 16. Joe Warren; 17. Eddie Towers; 18. George Richardson; 19. Bobby Walls, III; DNS: David McNatt.