Lug Nut's Birthday Bash roared to life during Round 8 of Cook Out Summer Shootout with a high-energy night of celebration and racing. Confetti covered the track as the defending champion captured another Mascot Mania Go-Kart Race victory presented by The Speedpark at Concord Mills. The celebration continued on the track as Colton Hale scored a VP Fuels Semi-Pro Division victory on a memorable night at America's Home for Racing.
Before the birthday festivities began, drivers completed the postponed Round 7 Legend Car feature races. Brady Price (Chargers), Case James (Young Lions), Dylan Faulkner (VP Fuels Semi-Pro), Jensen Jorgensen (Pro) and Robby Faggart (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Masters) all scored feature victories in the makeup event.
LUG NUT TIPS HIS CAP TO BACK-TO-BACK VICTORIES
Lug Nut celebrated his birthday the best way he knows how—with another trip to Victory Lane in the Mascot Mania Go-Kart Race presented by The Speedpark at Concord Mills.
To kick off the festivities, Lug Nut's friend Shakey from Cook Out waved the green flag, sending the colorful cast of mascots charging into Turn 1. Starting sixth, Lug Nut wasted little time slicing through the field, using the inside line to climb into third within the opening laps.
His best buddies, Regal from Charlotte Crown and Norm the Niner, put up an early fight, but the birthday boy found another gear. Cutting across the grass entering Turn 1 on Lap 2, Lug Nut powered into the lead and never looked back.
Behind him, the battle for the remaining podium spots intensified. Regal and Norm traded positions before Champ the Cheetah from the NASCAR Hall of Fame charged into third. The race took another dramatic turn when Peter Colada from Loco Beach Coconuts cut across the infield, skipping two turns to race his way into the top five.
Norm made one final push to spoil the celebration, but America's favorite mascot held him off to secure the win. Joining the fun were Boomer from the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Mr. Dilling from Dilling Heating & Cooling, Sassy from Carolina Ascent FC, Cosmo the Sheepdog and Sir Minty from Charlotte FC.
With confetti flying, Lug Nut successfully defended his Mascot Mania title to become a back-to-back birthday champion.
HALE JOINS THE BIRTHDAY BASH IN VICTORY LANE
The birthday celebration carried over into the VP Fuels Semi-Pro Division, where Colton Hale gave himself a reason to celebrate with a hard-fought victory. What started as a fast, clean race turned into a test of patience and perseverance as five Pro Fabrication cautions in the second half bunched up the field and set up a series of high-pressure restarts.
Starting outside the front row, Hale stayed within striking distance of polesitter Dylan Faulkner through the opening 15 laps. With each restart, Hale continued to apply pressure before making his move with six laps remaining, powering past Faulkner to take control of the race when it mattered most.
“I feel really good. I was just waiting and being patient, and then I started getting an itch to win,” said Hale. “I saw six (laps) to go and thought it was time, so I pulled the trigger and moved him, and it was just barbecue chicken from there.”
Faulkner held on for second place, while JC Fickenscher made a late charge to secure third. Hunter Jordan finished fourth and Cameron White delivered one of the night’s strongest drives by advancing from 11th to finish fifth.
ROAD TO THE PROS
In a highly competitive Pro Division battle filled with wheel-to-wheel action, Ben Morabito found his way to Victory Lane for the second time this season. Leading the Cook Out Summer Shootout points standings, Morabito looks to maintain his spot atop the championship battle as the final two rounds approach.
Also joining Lug Nut in Victory Lane during Round 8 were Rob Brown (Beginner Bandoleros), Maverick Bradshaw (Bandits), Carson Cauble (Outlaws), Chase Bohanon (Chargers), Landon Thrasher (Young Lions) and Kevin Rollins (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Masters), each celebrating feature victories during Lug Nut's Birthday Bash.
NEXT UP:
Cook Out Summer Shootout races into the holiday spirit next Tuesday, July 21, as Round 9 brings Christmas in July to America's Home for Racing. Fans can celebrate one of the final nights of the season with high-octane racing, festive family fun and interactive entertainment as holiday cheer takes over the track.
Fans who get into the holiday spirit by wearing a Santa hat will receive $5 off admission at the front gate.
TICKETS:
Tickets are just $13; kids 12 and under get in FREE. Donate a canned good for Blue Cross NC’s Drive Out Hunger program and get $2 off your Cook Out Summer Shootout ticket! For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets
KEEP TRACK:
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