A bumper-to-bumper school bus blitz took over the frontstretch as Kasey Funderburg of Queen City News wrangled in a win in the fan-favorite bus race at Cook Out Summer Shootout. Meanwhile, the VP Fuels Semi-Pro division saw Dylan Faulkner turn up the heat and notch a hard-earned Round 3 victory.
Cameras rolled and chaos reigned as the wildest wheels in town stormed the frontstretch for the fan-favorite Media Mayhem school bus race. QC News’s Kasey Funderburg stole the show, charging from P4 to the checkered flag in the dazzling Baby Beluga Bus.
Six local media personalities saddled up for the ultimate showdown, with WFNZ’s Chris McClain leading the field to green in the bold Purple Reign bus. Funderburg lined up just inside, with WGHP’s Payton Mannie close behind in the pink Pedal Princess, until a wild Lap 3 spin sent her back to the pits.
Using a PRO-FABrication Headers & Exhaust caution to her advantage, Funderburg stayed cool under pressure before reeling in McClain and five-time school bus slobberknocker winner Al Conklin, in Lap 3 before making her move in Turn 3, powering around the outside to launch into the lead on the final lap.
With the crowd on their feet, Funderburg wheeled Baby Beluga around the tight turns of the quarter-mile to perfection, sealing her first Media Mayhem victory in style.
McClain in Purple Reign held on for second, with Conklin close behind in third. Last year’s bus race winner, WCCB’s Jeff Taylor, brought the Orange Crush home fourth, while WCNC’s Danielle Stein rounded out the top five in the pirate-themed Captain Clutch.
FAULKNER’S VP FUELS SEMI-PRO WAIT TO VICTORY
Faulkner played the ultimate waiting game, snatching a win from Sam Butler in the final seconds of the VP Fuels Semi-Pro division of Round 3.
A chaotic race to start, with parts flying and red flags waving, soon turned into a tense battle between Butler and Faulkner. After a PRO-FABrication Headers & Exhaust caution on Lap 2, Butler led for 23 laps, leaving his opponents in his tracks until an untimely slip-up in Turn 4 of the final lap allowed Faulkner to use the inside line, finishing with a dramatic last-second upset.
Butler managed to hang on for second, while Chase Burgeson finished strong in third place. Issac Kitzmiller stood his ground and placed fourth and Aiden McConnaughey edged out Tyler Garretson to finish out the top five.
Camden Powers (Beginner Bandos), Roo Reaves (Bandits), Landon Thrasher (Outlaws), Cash Lecroy (Chargers), Colton Hale (Young Lions), London McKenzie (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Plumbing Pros) and Kyle Busch (American Rebel Ale Masters) roped in wins for Round 3 of Cook Out Summer Shootout.
In the weather-delayed Round 2 Bandolero battle, Camden Powers (Beginner Bandos), Brexton Busch (Bandits) and Landon Thrasher (Outlaws) all conquered the quarter-mile.
NEXT UP:
Round 4 of the Cook Out Summer Shootout keeps the summer of speed rolling with another action-packed night of action at America’s Home for Racing. Tuesday’s NASCAR Night will be filled with NASCAR-themed games, all while taking in a full slate of fierce competition on track. Fans who wear their favorite NASCAR driver gear will get $5 off their ticket at the gate.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Celebrating its 32nd season, the Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed, featuring eight racing divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night under the lights with championship points on the line all summer long.
TICKETS:
Tickets are just $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. All summer long, fans who bring a canned food donation will receive $2 off as part of Blue Cross NC’s “Drive Out Hunger” campaign. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
