(June 29, 2024) Highland, IL – Mike McKinney, who started the season strong with a victory in the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals, struggled to find his rhythm for much of the Hell Tour. This week, however, he rediscovered his winning form, securing his second win at Highland Speedway on Saturday night, just days after his victory at Macon Speedway on Thursday.
“Kind of got our butts kicked last week and just went home and got to work,” McKinney said. “We come out here to win and nothing else is acceptable. We know we can do it. We know we can run like this. Went back to the basics on some things and got a little more comfortable, and it’s really paid off this week.”
The Race Unfolds
McKinney set the stage for his victory by setting the overall Quick Time in qualifying and winning his Heat Race. Drawing the outside pole for the 25-lap Feature, he lined up alongside Kenny Wallace. At the drop of the green flag, Wallace jumped out to an early lead, but McKinney stayed close behind.
On Lap 3, McKinney made a decisive move, passing Wallace on the outside just before the start/finish line. However, a caution on the next lap reset the field. On the restart, Wallace once again got the jump, pulling ahead and hugging the bottom of the track while McKinney ran a lane higher.
Lap after lap, the two drivers stayed nose-to-tail, with Wallace defending his position on the bottom. Eventually, McKinney’s persistence paid off. On Lap 16, he found enough grip through the middle of the track to power around the outside of Wallace coming off Turn 4 and officially took the lead.
Unchallenged to the Finish
Once in the lead, McKinney pulled away, driving unchallenged to the victory. “Did it once and felt like once we got some laps going, I’d be able to do it again,” McKinney said about passing Wallace. “Was able to find some grip right there through the middle … felt good to find that and kind of stood there the rest of the race, and it worked out really good.”
Championship Standings
With this win, McKinney now sits 65 points behind championship leader Trevor Neville, who finished fifth in the race.
Looking Ahead
The DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals will conclude Week 3 at Red Hill Speedway in Sumner, IL, alongside the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Late Models. Tickets for the event will be available at the gate. The pit gate opens at 3 p.m. (CT), and the grandstands open at 5 p.m. If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every lap live on DIRTVision.
Feature (25 Laps):
- Mike McKinney [2]
- Steve Meyer Jr [5]
- Kenny Wallace [1]
- Mike Harrison [4]
- Trevor Neville [9]
- Owen Steinkoenig [8]
- Dalton Lane [15]
- Austin Seets [6]
- Rick Conoyer [13]
- Rick Salter [18]
- Chad Sellers [12]
- Ryan Hamilton [7]
- Cody Zobrist [11]
- Zeb Moake [21]
- Jarrett Stryker [17]
- Jeremy Pate [3]
- Todd Eyman [19]
- Zachary Hawk [10]
- Deece Schwartz [20]
- Talen Beard [22]
- Ryan Eilers [16]
- Zach Schantz [14]
