10/14/2023
Tanner Mullens
Mullens notches pair of 4th-place finishes with USMTS at Arrowhead
Tanner Mullens’ Mel Hambelton Ford No. 02 Modified team returned to the track at Arrowhead Speedway (Colcord, Oklahoma) from Thursday through Saturday for the inaugural ARMI Contractors All-American. The three-day event served as the penultimate weekend on the 2023 Summit United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) calendar.
Mullens was among 55 USMTS drivers at the new 1/3-mile facility when racing commenced on Thursday evening. He finished seventh in his heat race after being caught in an accident at the drop of the green flag, then finished ninth in his B-Main. As a result, Mullens used a provisional to start 26th in the night’s 35-lap main event paying $3,000 to win. He picked up six spots in the race to finish 19th.
Mullens’ fortunes dramatically improved the next night with 58 USMTS Modifieds on the property. He finished fourth in his heat race and won his B-Main from the pole. He rolled off from the eighth row for the night’s 40-lap, $5,000-to-win feature and advanced 12 spots to claim a fourth-place result. Mullens finished behind Rodney Sanders, Jake Timm and Jeremy Nelson, while Dereck Ramirez rounded out the top five.
On Saturday, Mullens’ 31st birthday, he again had a solid evening in the event finale. With 55 USMTS competitors in the pit area looking to score a $20,023 payday, Mullens finished fourth in his heat and took the runner-up spot in his “B.” He began the 50-lap main event from 18th on the grid and charged forward 14 positions to grab his second fourth-place result in as many days. He followed Jason Hughes, Jake Timm and Jim Chisholm under the checkered flag, with Jake O’Neil coming home fifth.
Mullens moved up one spot in the USMTS National standings during the All-American event and now sits in the fifth position.
Full weekend results are at www.usmts.com.
Article Credit: Tyler Rinken image