(July 14, 2024) Orrville, OH – Mike McKinney of Plainfield, IL, clinched a crucial victory at Wayne County Speedway, taking the lead in the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals standings. McKinney led all 25 laps of the Feature, overcoming numerous restarts to secure his seventh Hell Tour win of 2024. This win propels him to a 10-point advantage over Trevor Neville as they head into the Prairie Dirt Classic at Fairbury Speedway on July 26-27.
Battling Through Challenges
Starting from the outside pole, McKinney surged ahead on the first lap and maintained a nearly two-second lead over Nate Young before the first caution on Lap 4. The race saw three more cautions, each time disrupting McKinney’s rhythm. Despite the interruptions, McKinney expertly navigated each restart, holding his lead until the final laps.
A Near Miss on the Last Restart
On the last restart on Lap 21, McKinney briefly jumped the cushion in Turn 2, giving Young a chance to challenge for the lead. Young attempted a slider in Turns 3 and 4, but McKinney managed to retain his position, avoiding a late-race collapse. His ability to maintain composure and recover from the slight mistake underscored his determination and skill.
Reflections and Future Goals
After the race, McKinney reflected on the challenges he faced throughout the season. “We had a couple of bad weeks there and lost a lot of confidence but never gave up,” McKinney said. His persistence paid off as he regained his confidence and now leads the standings heading into the season finale.
Upcoming Event
The Summit Modifieds will compete in the season finale at Fairbury Speedway as part of the 34th annual Prairie Dirt Classic. The series champion will be crowned at this event, promising an exciting conclusion to the season.
Feature Results (25 Laps):
- Mike McKinney [2]
- Andre Layfield [6]
- Nate Young [3]
- Trevor Neville [5]
- Jesse Wisecarver [1]
- Mason Lobb [8]
- Pete Caplinger [7]
- Jimmy Humphrey [10]
- Zachary Hawk [12]
- Drew Charlson [9]
- Dustin Moore [16]
- Dalton Lane [11]
- Austin Wayne Self [4]
- Ryan Markham [17]
- Caden Alexander [13]
- Richard Grogg [19]
- Ron Miller [22]
- Brent Coffman [14]
- Casey Butler [15]
- Dustin Daugherty [18]
- Jesse Griffitts [20]
- Robbie Ledger [21]
