Mike McKinney Reflects on Amazing Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals Opening Week
Mike McKinney Reflects on Amazing Kick Off Week Mike McKinney had a landmark start to the 2018 Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals. McKinney picked up 3 consecutive victories at Sycamore Speedway(IL), The Dirt Oval at Route 66 (IL), and Plymouth Speedway (IN). Earlier in the week McKinney ran a 2nd at Kankakee County Speedway (IL) and a 4th at Peoria Speedway (IL). While every win was important, there was one weekend victory that proved extra special to the Juliet, IL native.
“ We were really excited to race at Route 66 this year. We saw it on the schedule at PRI and immediately circled it. I think its the only modified race on their schedule this year. Its always good to be able to win at home and we never really get a chance to,” commented McKinney on his $2,000 Saturday victory.
McKinney hasn’t been alone on his Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals. His chassis builder and good friend Nick Hoffman ,who made the jump to the Late Model ranks with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals in the 2018 season, has been there to give his input and help with McKinney’s Elite Chassis.
“ He(Hoffman) is one of my best friends and we work really well together. We’ve been able to pit together and go back and forth on notes and opinions. He helps me a lot on this deal and we really couldn’t do it without him. He makes a great car and we get along great. You can’t ask for much more then that”
The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals travels side-by-side with the DIRTcar Summer Nationals throughout it’s 33 day campaign. Its been called the Ultimate Race-cation in terms of visiting so many tracks up and down the road over a months time. McKinney has his own take-aways from the experience.
“ Its really a neat deal. You get to race with pretty much the same group of guys throughout the month and they get to be a lot like family. You race with them during the day and run into them after you leave the track at restaurants and gas stations and stuff. You also get the chance to meet a lot of guys that racing in other areas of the country, so you learn how they do things in their region.”
McKinney hopes to get his 8 solid points nights in and do a couple extra races as well. ” We are going to take a couple nights off and hit the series again later in the week. We are going to do as many as neccesary and that our scheduling allows. It really is a neat deal and I think its a good things for any driver that likes to get a lot of laps in at different tracks.”
He will be picking the tour back up June 23 at Fairbury (IL) before heading to Tyler County Speedway’s $15,000 to win event starting on the 29th. Follow Mike on Twitter @Mike_McKinney and Facebook. More information on The Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals can be found online at www.ModifiedNationals.com and on social media via @SummerNationals on Twitter or Facebook.
