Mullins flies to first Virginia Sprint Series checkers

Matt Mullins became a first-time feature winner when the Virginia Sprint Series ventured to Natural Bridge Speedway on Aug. 7. (Photo by Jim Haines)

By Jim Haines 

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (Aug. 7) – Matt Mullins joined the Virginia Sprint Series four years ago after having raced other divisions. 

But being from Iowa, he always wanted to race a Sprint Car and Saturday night fulfilled a life-long dream of not just racing Sprinters but winning in one. 

Mullins and Chris Ware paced the IMCA RaceSaver field to green with Mullins out first, Ware right behind and Mike Leraas and Daren Bolac racing for third. 

Mullins was really rolling out in clean air while Ware tryied to stay in touch. Bolac made it to third with Leraas fourth. Mullins was still out front flying as Bolac and Leraas advanced.

Brandon McLain made his way to fourth as Bolac was closing in on Mullins, but laps ran out as the leader flashed under the waving checkered flag for his first feature win. 

Next week it’s off to The Greater Cumberland Raceway in Cumberland, Md., with the Laurel Highlands Sprint Series on Saturday night Aug. 14. 

Feature results – 1. Matt Mullins; 2. Daren Bolac; 3. Mike Leraas; 4. Brandon McLain; 5. Mike Keeton; 6. Billy Hubbard; 7. Jerald Harris; 8. Chris Ware; 9. Alyssa Rowe; 10. Bill Rice; 11. Caleb Harris; 12. French Grimes; 13. Joe Leavell; 14. Mike Cicchillo.