Willie Mullins takes 12th place at Salem Speedway

Willie Mullins returned to the ARCA Menards series on Saturday night at historic Salem Speedway for the Sioux Chief PowerPEX 200

Mullins, driving the # 01 Ford as part of a partnership between Mullins Racing and Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing, showed speed throughout the day on the 0.555 mile oval. He qualified 14th and ran well until a flat tire and subsequent spin derailed his day in the 200-lap race.

“Because the rain was coming, they decided to move the break halfway from the 75th to the 101st lap. Three quarters of the way through the race, we had a flat tire after crashing something on the track and cutting a tire,” Mullins said. noted. “We had the chance to run right there near the pits. We got up there, got the tire changed, but it cost us two laps there. “

Despite the puncture that cost the team a chance to finish first, Mullins had plenty of reason to be happy with his eventual 12th place finish.

“We were very happy with the pace,” said Mullins, who landed a top 10 in his last ARCA Menards Series start at Elko Speedway in Minnesota on July 10. “Once we cut that tire we were in fifth and sixth cars the rest of the race. We had the speed we wanted, we just had some bad luck during the race.

In addition to the combined efforts of Mullins Racing and Fast Track Racing, Mullins also had a bit of extra help on Saturday afternoon. Veteran stock car and motorcycle racer Dale Quarterley traveled to Salem from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to serve as a driver’s trainer for Mullins on Saturday night.

Quarterley, who competed in the ARCA Menards Series event at Watkins Glen (NY) International earlier this year in partnership with Mullins Racing, was at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to assist a client who was competing in the SCCA National Championship Finals.

For Mullins, the chance to work with Quarterley and learn from Quarterley on Saturday night was a great learning experience.

“It happened that he was at Indy and had a day off, so he decided to come over and try to give me a hand and try to help me improve my skills in driving, ”Mullins said. “He really pushed me and made me understand a lot of things that I was missing.

“I really appreciate that Dale came to give me some advice. Thanks also to Andy Hillenburg and his guys for helping to make this deal a reality, as well as my team leaders Robert Bruce and Dick Doheney and the whole team.

The Ford No. 01 Mullins Racing / Fast Track Racing is backed by Crow Wing Recycling, CW Metals, Bugsy’s Auto, Snap On by Timmy Brann, Dinah Marie Photography, Crawford Sprinkler of Raleigh and CorvetteParts.net.

RP Mullins Racing