(June 12, 2024) Peoria, IL – Mike McKinney demonstrated why he’s the top-ranked DIRTcar UMP Modified driver in the country with a commanding performance at Peoria Speedway on Wednesday night.
Dominant Display
The 31-year-old from Plainfield, IL, kicked off the 14th annual DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals with a victory, taking control on Lap 7 of the 25-lap Feature and leading the rest of the way unchallenged. This win marks his 19th career triumph in the series.
“I’ve won a lot of these now, and it feels great to finally win at Peoria,” McKinney said. “I’ve come close a few times, so it’s satisfying to check this one off the list. I’ve always enjoyed racing here.”
Chasing the Championship
This victory is McKinney’s fourth Feature win of the year in his 20th DIRTcar-sanctioned start. He currently leads the national points standings, which is crucial in his quest for his first UMP Modified national championship.
“That’s my ultimate goal,” McKinney said. “I’ve finished second three times, and I’m determined to win it this year. Not just for myself, but for my dad too.”
The Race
Starting from the third position, McKinney quickly found himself battling with 16-year-old polesitter Manix Furqueron, who led the first six laps. Despite several restarts in those initial laps, Furqueron couldn’t hold McKinney off on the final restart on Lap 7. McKinney skillfully slid under Furqueron in Turn 4 to take the lead.
“I noticed he was having some trouble with corner entry,” McKinney explained. “I just needed the race to progress without interruptions. I stayed patient, knowing he might make a mistake. Eventually, he did, and I took advantage to get past him.”
After overtaking Furqueron, McKinney never looked back, extending his lead over second-place finisher Charles Hess by more than six seconds by the time the checkered flag waved. Trevor Neville finished third, followed by Hunt Gossum in fourth, while Furqueron dropped to fifth.
Upcoming Events
The Summit Modifieds will be back in action at Kankakee County Speedway on Thursday, June 13, alongside the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models. Tickets will be available at the gate on race day, and fans can stream every lap live on DIRTVision.
Abbreviated Results
- Feature (25 Laps):
- 96M-Mike McKinney[3]
- 97-Charles Hess[7]
- 777-Trevor Neville[8]
- 99-Hunt Gossum[9]
- 74M-Manix Furqueron[1]
- 12L-Lucas Lee[10]
- 54-Zachary Hawk[15]
- 27-Michael Turner[17]
- 135-Austin Simpson[21]
- 25-Greg Belyea[16]
- 73-Mark Rhoades[18]
- (DNF) 14-Dalton Lane[20]
- (DNF) 05-Dave Wietholder[4]
- (DNF) 150-Collin Alexander[5]
- (DNF) 18L-Michael Long[6]
- (DNF) 24-Zeke McKenzie[13]
- (DNF) 17D-Degan Dozard[12]
- (DNF) 1-Nash Hilmes[14]
- (DNF) 5P-Nicholas Porter[19]
- (DNF) 242-Evan Fink[11]
- (DNF) 37L-Michael Ledford[2]
