10/7/2023
Tanner Mullens
Mullens claims back-to-back Sooner Late Model Series victories
What’s better than claiming your first Sooner Late Model Series triumph? How about claiming your first two in as many tries.
That’s exactly what Tanner Mullens did over the weekend with a sweep of the Oklahoma doubleheader with the series in his Mel Hambelton Ford / Sandlian Iron & Metal Auto Salvage No. 02 Terry Phillips Racing / Fuqua Trucking / XR1 Rocket Chassis Late Model.
“What a great weekend for this team. We’ve been grinding in the shop getting the Late Model ready, and honestly had hoped to have it out a few weeks ago but were still waiting on some parts. This car was on point off the trailer both nights, and we got back-to-back wins. Just can’t say enough about this team and everyone who supports us,” Mullens said. “We’ve got a big week of USMTS action in Oklahoma this weekend, and we got our sights set on chasing more big checks.”
Mullens first won on Friday night at Longdale Speedway before streaking to the victory on Saturday night at Red Dirt Raceway.
Tanner Mullens jumped behind the wheel of a Super Late Model for the first time in four years over the weekend and came away with a pair of checkered flags.
On Friday, the Modified star out of Wichita, Kansas, climbed aboard the No. 02 Super Late Model as one of 23 Sooner Late Model Series entrants at Longdale (Okla.) Speedway.
Mullens won his heat race despite carburetor issues and began the 25-lap feature from the pole position. He led every lap on the 3/8-mile track to take the win by a dominating 4.660 seconds over Lance Mari. Joseph Gorby completed the podium, with John Herring Jr. finishing fourth and Eric Brill taking the fifth spot.
The next night, Mullens and his team moved to Red Dirt Raceway (Meeker, Oklahoma) for another Sooner Late Model Series event, this one featuring 24 competitors.
Mullens picked up five spots in his Saturday heat race to take the win on the quarter-mile oval, then started on the front row in the 25-lap A-Main.
He grabbed the lead on Lap 2 and never looked back to take his second victory in as many nights. Mullens finished 5.183 seconds ahead of runner-up Damian Patocka, while Brett Hansen, Troy Bynum and Adam Popp rounded out the top five.
The Friday and Saturday feature wins were Mullens’ ninth and 10th overall in the 2023 season.
Full results are at www.soonerlatemodelseries.com.
Mullens now returns to United States Modified Touring Series (USMTS) competition this Thursday – Saturday with a trio of events at Arrowhead Speedway (Colcord, Okla.). The inaugural ARMI Contractors USMTS All-American features a $3,000 top prize on Thursday followed by a $5,000-to-win program on Friday. On Saturday a whopping $20,023 top prize is on the line for the USMTS contingent.
Tanner sits sixth in the latest series standings.
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