CALLAWAY, VA :: Mike Looney picked up his second consecutive victory in Saturday night’s Cavalier Equipment King of the Bullring at Franklin County Speedway. After taking the lead from Johnny Cash in the middle stages of the 100-lap race, Looney held back a challenge from Preston McGhee to score the win.
“We’re really blessed tonight,” Looney said. “I think it’s the Lord’s will. I knew that, if we shook that monkey off our back, we had a strong car. I’m just blessed to get to drive it. Billy Martin is a one man show. He keeps it at the house. He’s got it right now. Bolts are tight, she’s clicking and it’s going to be a fun season down here.”
Preston McGhee was content with his second place finish but felt he might’ve had something for Looney if the race was a little longer.
“I wish the race would’ve been 150 laps,” McGhee said. “I think I may have had something for him with this crate motor. It didn’t come on until lap 70. Those other boys burned their tires off. We just rode. That 30 car (Johnny Cash) has one heck of a motor. I couldn’t get by him. I could get to him but I couldn’t get by him. I’m happy for my first time here.”
Johnny Cash, who entered the race with the points lead, started on the front row and took the lead early from Kyle Dudley and held on until lap 63 when Looney roared past. Cash went on to finish third.
“We came here with a third place car tonight,” Cash stated. “It’s hard to come out here with used tires. Car was great, times were great but those two were some good guys out here. Looney and McGhee did a great job.”
Kyle Dudley started on the pole in the race but had problems throughout the race in a car the three-time and defending champion was not very happy with at the end of the night.
