Mike Harrison Rewrites Summit Modified Nationals History with Sixth Championship

All-time career wins leader scores win #44 & eighth of the season to clinch sixth title in eight years

FAIRBURY, IL — July 28, 2018 — The 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals concluded on Saturday, July 28th as part of the 29th annual Prairie Dirt Classic presented by Bank of Pontiac. The fast quarter-mile of Fairbury American Legion Speedway (IL), located northeast of Bloomington in Fairbury, IL, was the site of a dramatic, history-making weekend for the UMP Modifieds. Coming into the weekend, Mike McKinney led five-time defending Tour Champion Mike Harrison by just four points in the chase for the Championship.

Davenport, Arnold, Harrison & Hawkins Win on Quadruple Features Night at Fairbury American Legion Speedway

Eighth annual Summit Modified Nationals wraps up Saturday, July 28 with a $5,000 payday & Series title on the line

FAIRBURY, IL — July 27, 2018 — The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals have had some time off since their last race back on July 14 at Oakshade Raceway (OH). With a well-deserved 13-day break complete after competing in 23 events during the months of June and July, the cars and stars of the DIRTcar Modified world were back in action as part of the 29th annual Prairie Dirt Classic presented by Bank of Pontiac at Fairbury American Legion Speedway (FALS). Friday, July 27 was “Quadruple Feature Night” as four Features set the field for Saturday’s headliner paying $5,000 to win. Tait Davenport, Chris Arnold, Mike Harrison and Jacob Hawkins walked away with the victories.

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