Lug Nut’s Birthday Bash roared to life during Round 7’s high-octane night of celebration and racing. Lug Nut blew out the candles and his birthday wish came true as he took home the checkered flag in the fan-favorite Mascot Mania go-kart race presented by The Speedpark at Concord Mills. The party stayed on track as Neal Dulin (VP Fuels Semi-Pro) unwrapped a W on the quarter-mile.
Lug Nut got the ultimate birthday gift, a victory in the Mascot Mania go-kart race presented by The Speedpark at Concord Mills. After a chaotic, cone-crushing, grass-flying race with his closest mascot rivals – UNC Charlotte's Norm the Niner, Revpar from the Cabarrus Visitors Bureau, Chubby from the Charlotte Checkers, Charlotte Knights’ Homer the Dragon and Champ the Cheetah from the NASCAR Hall of Fame – Lug Nut was able to pull out a win and live up to his title of World’s Fastest Mascot!
Reigning go-kart champion Norm the Niner and Revpar took the green flag on Row 1, with the birthday boy Lug Nut lined up right behind. Just as Revpar looked set to lead the race, Lug Nut snuck through to challenge him for first.
Meanwhile, in the back of the pack, Champ the Cheetah and the always-unpredictable Homer the Dragon engaged in a scrappy battle, not for first, but to avoid last.
Then came the PRO-FABrication Headers & Exhaust caution, courtesy of Champs cone collection, resetting the track and giving the frontrunners one last chance to settle it once and for all. Norm the Niner wasn’t giving up as he cut through the infield in an effort to become champion. Despite Norm’s trickery, Lug Nut held his ground, taking the lead as the white flag waved.
As Lug Nut crossed the finish line in first place, the crowd went wild, and Victory Lane saw a speechless Lug Nut, soaking in the thrill of his big win, surrounded by all his mascot friends.
DULIN’S LAST-SECOND PASS TO VICTORY
The candles weren't the only thing getting lit – Victory lane was too – as Neal Dulin pulled off a last-second victory as the VP Fuels Semi-Pros battled in an intense bumper-to-bumper competition from the first lap to the final.
Although Dulin took the win, Hunter Jordan took over early, using the inside to get around pole-sitter Chase Burgeson on Lap 8 to claim his spot in first place, where he stayed for another 15 laps. Charging forward, Jordan extended his lead to one second on Lap 15, while Dulin and Dylan Faulkner battled for second place before the field bunched in a PRO-FABrication Headers & Exhaust caution.
Using the restart to his advantage, Dulin rode the inside to get around Faulkner and take a firm hold on second place. With a single-file restart, Dulin got around Sam Butler to take the lead before another caution. With two laps to go, Dulin stuck with the inside on yet another restart as the green and white flags flew. On the final circuit, Dulin pulled away from the pack and found himself in Victory Lane for the second time this season.
Also joining in on the party, Wyatt Linker (Beginner Bandoleros), James Behnke (Bandits), Carson Sherman (Outlaws), Camden Truett (Chargers) Case James (Young Lions), Tyler Reif (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical) and Kyle Busch (American Rebel Ale Masters) all celebrated Lug Nut’s Birthday Bash in Victory Lane.
In the weather-delayed Round 6 make-up, Chase Burgeson (VP Fuel Semi-Pro, Jensen Jorgensen (Dilling Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical Pros) and Kyle Beattie (American Rebel Ale Masters) all conquered the quarter-mile.
NEXT UP:
Tuesday, July 15, celebrate Camping Night in style at Cook Out Summer Shootout. Come pitch a tent and watch some blazing drivers race to earn their badges on the track. Scouts in uniform will receive FREE Round 8 admission.
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.
