Mills Overcomes Adversity at Columbus
Charlotte, North Carolina (Tuesday, May 26, 2015): Have you ever been so sick you could hardly move? Can you imagine feeling that way and climbing aboard at race car and battling some of the countries top racing talent for 100 laps? That is exactly what Matt Mills did on Saturday evening at Columbus Speedway.
The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour made a trip to the Columbus Speedway in Columbus, Ohio for the Memorial 100 Presented by JEGS.com on Saturday, May 23, 2015. Mills, making only his second JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour start showed speed in practice. He began to feel ill, and the team wasn’t sure the 18-year old Ohio native would be able to qualify the car. Mills qualified 16th, a solid effort considering the circumstances. Although his condition did not improve much as race time neared, Mills suited up and was prepared to start the event. Rick Turner, owner of Rick Tuner Racing and current Champion Racing Association starts leader was on standby if Mills was to need a relief driver during the Memorial 100 Presented by JEGS.com. Mills took the green flag and methodically made his way to the front, saving his car and tires. Once he cracked the top-10, he never dropped out of it. He went on to finish 7th, his first career JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour top-10 finish.
“When we unloaded we had some bugs to work out which is to be expected with a new car, but we were not off the pace by any means,” Mills said. “The car felt really good but towards the end of the practice I began to feel weak from dehydration. After a visit to the paramedics, I felt better but still not great. The plan was to start the race, and when the first yellow flag flew Rick (Tuner) was going to jump in the car. When the race started, the car was pretty fast, and I didn’t want to get out. Once we cracked the top 10, I knew I wasn’t getting out. I completed all 100 laps and brought the No. 5 Thompson Electric Chevrolet home with a 7th place finish. It was one of the tougher nights at the track for myself, and I can’t thank all the great people surrounding me for the support.”
Mills and the No. 5 Rick Tuner Racing team are heading to Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, MO next Saturday, May 30, 2015 for the running of the Mercy Masters of the Pros 144. The event is the highest paying Pro Late Model race in the country and will feature some of the best race car drivers in the country. This will be Mills’ first trip to Lebanon I-44 Speedway (MO).
