Mike McKinney Takes Win 8 at Oakshade Raceway

WAUSEON, OH— July 14, 2018—Mike McKinney of  Plainfield, IL scored his 8th tour win for 2018 at Oakshade Raceway during Summer Nationals Finale night. McKinney lead flag to flag in the 25 lap feature event securing the points lead going into the final weekend for the Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals July 27 & 28 at Fairbury American Legion Speedway.

“We were behind by 1 point going into tonight and needed this win. I think this may have locked it up for us and doing it here on this night is something you dream of,” commented McKinney following the event.

McKinney’s win came one night after a 7th place finish put his points race with Mike Harrison in jeopardy.

“We changed just about everything on this car after last night. The car usually liked this type of track. We just needed to readjust and get ready for tonight. Everything went perfectly and I’m looking forward to finishing this in 2 weeks.”

McKinney took the jump on lap 1 and never looked back as he worked the bottom through lap traffic while fending off early charges by Friday night winner Taylor Cook of Stanley, NC. Cook would loose the 2nd place position to Brian Ruhlman when a lap car slowed allowing the 49 car of Ruhlman to work his way under Cook coming off the 2nd corner. Ruhlman went on to finish in the 2nd position with Cook finishing the podium in 3rd.

Bobby Stremme finished in the 4th position with hometown driver Brad Eitniear finishing out the top 5.

Feature Finish: Mike McKinney, Brian Ruhlman, Taylor Cook, Bobby Stremme, Brad Eitniear, Josh Scott, Matt Crafton, Jerry Bowersock, Mike Learman, Josh McClure, Jeff Koz, Zachary Schroeder, Dave Baker, Bill Griffin,Michael Patrick, Phil Dixon, Luke Hubbell, Craig Dippman, Jarrett Rendel, Ryan Gorey, Collin Thirlby, Brian Przepiora

Taylor Cook Claims Night 1 at Oakshade 

WAUSEON, OH—July 13,2018— Taylor Cook of Stanley, NC took home his first Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals win of 2018 by winning night 1 of 2 at Oakshade Raceway (OH). The win marks a repeat by Cook from 2017 when he beat Nick Hoffman during last year’s edition of the Oakshade Raceway finale weekend. 

(Jimmy Dearing)

Mike McKinney Capitalizes on Mielke's Misfortune to Win I-96

Mike McKinney ran 2nd for the majority of the 25 lap feature at I-96 Speedway (MI), but last lap bad luck for race leader David Mielke resulted in a pass for the lead coming to the checked and McKinney’s 7th tour victory of 2018.  After leading by a straightaway at the white flag Mielke’s car suffered from mechanical problems going through turn 3. McKinney was able to get by the slowed car of Mielke heading to the checkered. Mielke was able to get across the line 2nd before slowing to a stop.