5/28/2023
Tanner Mullens
Mullens turns in pair of top-10 finishes at Deer Creek during USMTS weekend slate
Four consecutive nights of racing were on tap for Tanner Mullens with the Summit United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) over the Memorial Day weekend, starting with the three-day Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota.
On Thursday, Mullens’ Sandlian Iron & Metal Auto Salvage No. 02 machine was one of 46 Modifieds in the pit area for the 30-lap, $3,000-to-win race to kick off the 20th annual event at the 3/8-mile track. Mullens finished third in his heat and won his B-Main, positioning him 15th on the grid for the main event. The Wichita, Kansas, driver moved forward eight positions to register a seventh-place result.
Fifty-two USMTS entries were on hand Friday with the winner’s share of the evening’s purse elevated to $5,000. Mullens won his heat and started fourth for the 40-lap A-Main. He moved into second on the first lap and stalked eventual winner Rodney Sanders throughout the race, but ultimately settled for a runner-up finish. Alex Williamson, Jake Timm and Tyler Wolff completed the top five.
The pit area again was filled with 52 USMTS Modifieds for Saturday’s 50-lap, $10,000-to-win finale. Mullens was second in his heat and won his B-Main, but was unable to start the night’s feature event after breaking a driveshaft and transmission during parade laps.
The USMTS traveling show then moved southeast on Sunday for the 10th annual War in West Union at Fayette County Speedway (West Union, Iowa). Mullens was one of 27 drivers on hand to compete for a $10,000 top prize at the 3/8-mile facility. After finishing sixth in his heat, Mullens started 14th in the 40-lap A-Main and moved forward two spots to finish 12th.
Mullens is also currently 12th in the USMTS point standings.
Full results are at www.usmts.com.
Article Credit: Tyler Rinken image