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Mullens takes trio of top-10 finishes at King of America XIV

The Summit USMTS schedule rolled on to Wheatland, Missouri’s Lucas Oil Speedway from Thursday through Saturday. Tanner Mullens turned in three strong finishes in the King of America XIV event and came agonizingly close to winning the $20,000 top prize in the finale.

When the action got underway on Thursday at the 3/8-mile “Diamond of Dirt Tracks,” 72 Modified competitors were in the pit area seeking the King of America crown. That night, Mullens won his heat race from the pole in his Mel Hambelton Ford No. 02 Modified, then started fifth in the 30-lap, $3,000-to-win A-Main. He picked up one spot and finished fourth behind Cade Dillard, Terry Phillips and Keith Foss. Rodney Sanders rounded out the top five.

The next night, Mullens took fourth in his heat and won his B-Main, starting him 15th in the 40-lap, $5,000-to-win feature. He ran inside the top five just before the halfway mark before settling for the ninth spot in the final finishing order.

Mullens’ solid Thursday and Friday performances locked him into Saturday’s 60-lap main event where a $20,000 first-place payout was on the line.

He started from the pole position in the event finale and led the first 44 laps, at one point earning nearly a four-second lead. However, the race's final caution flag brought the field together with 16 circuits remaining. Mullens elected to start on the inside and lost the lead to eventual race winner Dillard. He ultimately finished fifth due to a tire sealing up late in the race. Mullens completed the top five behind Dillard, Jim Chisholm, Bobby Williams and Dustin Sorensen.

After King of America XIV, Mullens occupies the second spot in the USMTS National Championship standings, just 17 markers behind leader Chisholm.

Full results from Lucas Oil Speedway are at www.usmts.com.

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