From: lthomas@concordmotorsportpark.com
Subject: CHAD MULLIS OPENS GOES TWO FOR TWO IN ’08 SEASON
Date: Sunday March 13, 2008 3:00 am

CHAD MULLIS GOES TWO FOR TWO IN ’08 SEASON

CONCORD, N.C.  – Chad Mullis of Mint Hill in the Mullis Well Drilling 2008 Ford Fusion scored his second victory in as many attempts of the 2008 season in the NASCAR Town and Country Ford late model stock feature Saturday night at Concord Motorsport Park.  Other winners of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events were: Jay Payne of Thomasville in the 40-lap JRD Earthworks limited late model feature; Chad Allmon of Mount Pleasant, NC  in the 30-lap Coca-Cola pure stock feature; and Bradley Kimrey of Norwood, NC in the 20-lap fast and furious fours feature.

The field of late model stock cars was admittedly thin, but also incredibly competitive as all eight entrants qualified between Mullis’ pole run of 16.407 seconds, or 109.709 miles per hour and Brad Kurth’s effort of 16.974seconds at 106.214 miles per hour.  Mullis and Jeff Melton of Concord in Denny Wade’s A-1 Automotive ’08 Chevy Impala SS dueled for the lead for the first few laps with 2007 Champion Chuck Crump of Biscoe running a close third until laps 12, when Melton slipped high in Turn Three, allowing Mullis the point and Crump position two.  Crump was able to close on Mullis through lap 44 when David Currier Jr. of Lincolnton, NC got it wrong-way-to in Turn Three producing a caution period.  On the restart, Mullis was able to pull away with Crump in pursuit and Melton and Kevin Love of Midland in the #88 Chevy and Melton giving a side-by-side exhibition for third for many laps.  Crump’s car was better in a longer run and closed to Mullis’ rear bumper on lap 64, but just couldn’t get by.  Melton slid off Turn Three coming to the checkers and bounced off the outside wall of the front straight, slipping to sixth.  The top five were Mullis, Crump, Love, Terry Brooks, Jr. of Concord and Currier.  Brad Kurth of Kernersville and Justin Hill of Concord had troubles and fell out early.

Jay Payne of Lexington, NC is also two for two.  Payne took the victory in the J R D Earthworks Limited Late Model 40-lap feature.  Mike Terry of Charlotte claimed second, Steve Ackerly of Medford, NY third, Jeff Melton of Concord fourth and David Miller of Concord fifth.  Let’s note here that Melton also finished this race coming to the flag sideways.  Looked like his differential locked up coming to the finish, causing a rather solid impact on the inside wall just past start finish.  Melton just drove away and took off for his late model ride.

Chad Allmon missed the opening race of the season with his trusty Chevy Nova, but, was soon to show he hadn’t forgotten the way around Concord’s tricky TriOval.  Allmon worked around point-leader Charles Hutto in the #1 Monte Carlo early but coming to the final laps of the 30-lap feature Hutto was running him down, only to run out of laps.  Hutto, from Monroe, claimed second; Brandon Cooper of Charlotte third; Clinton Baker of Charleston, IL fourth and Cooper Faasson, also from Monroe, riding in fifth. 

Once again, a huge field of 23 Tim Marburger Honda fast and furious fours competitors opened the evening.  After the 20 lap feature Bradley Kimrey of Norwood stood in Victory Late with his #99 “Wild Thang” Honda. Second place went to Jake Simpson of Albemarle in the #74 “Bulldog”.  Last week’s winner Tracy Mullis of Indian Trail claimed third with the $55 “Enforcer”.  Chad Miller of Concord finished fourth in his new #98 “Dirty Mo Posse” Honda and fifth was Wayne Harrington of Salisbury in the #3 “Superman” Honda.

Friday night’s Legends and Bandoleros winner were:  Bandolero Beginner Bandits- Drew Whidby of Myrtle Beach, SC.  Bandits- Dillon Bassett of Winston-Salem.  Young Guns- Robert Poole of Davidson.  Outlaws- Kendell Sellers of Kannapolis.  RPM Race Cars Legends: Semi Pro Charger- Devin Layser of Wingate, SC.  Semi Pro- Jonathan Ross of Stanfield, NC. Pro- Daniel Hemric of Kannapolis.  Masters- Clay Hair of Mt. Pleasant, NC.

Legends and Bandoleros race again Friday evening April 18th and Sunday afternoon April 20th.    NASCAR racing returns Saturday night April 19th on Hendrick Chevrolet-Cadillac of Monroe Night at the Races.

Concord Motorsport Park is located on highway 601 north of Midland and southof Concord. More information is available by calling (704) 782-4221 or at www.concordmotorsportpark.com.

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