MDM Motorsports NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Review: South Boston Speedway

 

The first race went green shortly after 7p.m., ET. Travis Miller, startedthird in the MDM Motorsports No. 40 and never dropped outside the top-10. He took the lead on lap 59 and led until the checkers, scoring his first career NKNPSE victory in his 10^th series start. That win has put the No. 40 car third in owners points, helping to ensure that the car is locked in all remaining NKNPSE events this season. Burton, who was fastest in the final practice, qualified fourth and ran near the top-five the entire race. He finished fifth in the DEX Imaging No. 12 machine. Teammate Vinnie Miller rolled off the grid sixth in his No. 41 Master Mfg. Inc., Toyota Camry. After getting caught in a minor on-track accident and restarting at the rear halfway through the event, Vinnie Miller was able to charge to a 10^th-place finish and score his first career NKNPSE top-10.

 

Race two began shortly after the victory lane celebration ended for Travis Miller. The lineup for the second race was set by drivers’ posted lap times in the first race. Travis Miller rolled off third, followed by teammates Vinnie Miller and Burton in fourth and sixth respectively. Travis Miller picked up where he left off and spent the first half of the 100-lap feature battling for the lead before a mechanical issue forced him to unexpectedly pit. He had to restart near the rear but was able to recover for a sixth-place finish. Vinnie Miller started third and never dropped lower than seventh. He made a late-race charge to the front and scored a third-place finish, a career-best in his fourth career NKNPSE start. Burton, who started sixth, saved his equipment and tires early and began to move forward as the race progressed. On the final restart, he outdueled Todd Gilliland and completed a pass that netted Burton his second win of the season and fifth straight top-five finish. He maintains his points lead as the team heads to Memphis (Tenn.) International Raceway in few weeks.

 

Harrison Burton, driver of the DEX Imaging No. 12… Burton entered the WhosYourDriver.org Twin 100s coming off his first career NKNPSE win at Bristol Motor Speedway just two weekends ago. This weekend, he was racing in front of the hometown fans. Both his dad, Jeff and uncle, Ward, cut their teeth at South Boston Speedway before making it to NASCAR National ranks. After recording the fastest lap in the final practice, Burton qualified fourth for race number one and raced near the top-five the entire event. He finished fifth, his fourth straight top-five to that point. He rolled off sixth in race two and used patience as he worked his way through the field. On the final restart, he capitalized on a mistake by the leader and was able to get to the door of the second-place runner. A two-lap shootout ensued, and Burton was able to come out on top and score the hometown victory.

 

Burton on his South Boston win: “It’s emotional to tell you the truth. To win in front of family, friends, and fans is something I will always remember. To add to my family’s history at this racetrack is extremely special. The MDM Motorsports team brought a really fast race car and I’m happy I was able to capitalize on that. It’s been a great start of the year, and I’m looking forward to the remainder of the season.”

 

Travis Miller, driver of the MDM Motorsports No. 40… Miller made his 10^th and 11^th career NKNPSE starts this weekend at South Boston Speedway. After starting third, he took the lead on lap 59 in race number one and never looked back, winning in convincing fashion. He came back in race number two strong before bad luck struck and he had to pit. He was able to recover for a sixth-place finish.

 

Travis Miller on his South Boston win: “What a weekend for our team. To win all three races we entered this weekend is incredible, and the fact that I was behind the wheel for one of them makes it even more special. I’m really looking forward to the remainder of the year, and I’m so proud of the effort of the guys here at MDM Motorsports.”

 

Vinnie Miller, drive of the Master Mfg. Inc., No. 41… Miller traveled to South Boston, Va., looking for his first career-top 10 in NKNPSE competition. Not only did he score a top-10, he scored a top-five in the second race on Saturday. After qualifying 6^th for the first race, Miller got caught up in a midrace incident and had to pit. He restarted in the rear and drove back to 10^th. He turned the fourth fastest lap in race number one, and therefore started fourth in the second race. Never failing out of the top-seven, Miller battled with teammates Travis Miller and Burton, as well as Todd Gilliland and Chase Purdy, for a top-three spot all race long. When the checkered flag fell, Miller was third, a career best finish.

 

Vinnie Miller on South Boston: “I’m proud of this team. They brought a great Toyota Camry to South Boston Speedway. It feels great to get a top-10 finish and a top-five finish both in one night. Hopefully this momentum carries over to Toledo Speedway in the ARCA Racing Series in a few weeks. I feel like our team is really starting to gel.”

 

The WhosYourDriver.org Twin 100s will air May 11 on NBCSN at 7p.m., and 8p.m., ET.

 

MDMM PR