7/22/2023
Tanner Mullens
Mullens runner-up at Mason City in USMTS North Iowa Nationals finale
Tanner Mullens continued his season at Mason City Motor Speedway (Mason City, Iowa) over the weekend with the 10th annual North Iowa Nationals.
The three-day Summit United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) program commenced on Thursday with 37 USMTS entries in the pit area seeking the $3,000 winner’s purse. Mullens opened the evening by driving his Sandlian Iron & Metal No. 02 Modified to a fourth-place finish in his heat race on the 1/3-mile track. He then transferred to the night’s 35-lap main event via a runner-up finish in his B-Main.
Mullens started 17th in the feature, but only a few laps into the race another car made contact with his right-rear quarter panel, ripping the brake line out of the car and leaving the driver with no brakes. He finished 19th.
The following night, 42 USMTS Modifieds were on hand looking to take home a $5,000 payday. After finishing third in his heat, Mullens used a B-Feature victory to start 16th for the 40-lap A-Main. He moved forward throughout the race and recorded an eighth-place result.
Saturday’s $10,000-to-win finale drew 38 USMTS entries and saw Mullens have his best night of the event. He finished second in his heat and rolled off from the pole position for the 50-lap feature. He jumped out to a large lead but relinquished the top spot to Dereck Ramirez on Lap 18 shortly after the night’s first caution period.
Still, Mullens maintained a position near the front of the field and finished in the second spot, 0.848 seconds behind Ramirez. Jason Hughes took the third position, with Carlos Ahumada Jr. and Jake Timm fourth and fifth, respectively.
Mullens is currently sixth in the USMTS National point standings.
Full results can be found at www.usmts.com.
Article Credit: Tyler Rinken image