Lug Nut’s Birthday Bash was to the nines as Norm the Niner from UNC Charlotte wrapped up this year's Mascot Mania Go-Kart Race Presented by The Speedpark at Concord Mills and put a bow on it. Birthday boy Lug Nut blew out his candles wishing for better luck next year.
These local celebrities looked to take the cake in an ultimate battle for speed on the famed quarter-mile. Notably, the pride of NASCAR Hall of Fame Champ the Cheetah put on quite a fur-ocious show taking the immediate lead but was quickly faced with tight and fierce competition as the Spark of the Speedway, Lugette, took on the contest for first place.
Looking to capture the checkered flag, Norm the Niner who started the race at the back of the pack made his victory look like a piece of cake in the end. Norm blew past his competition with ease, boasting in his success, waving to the crowd while ‘pick’ing past his competition.
The birthday bash ended with Norm the Niner on top followed by Lugette, Champ the Cheetah, the birthday boy himself, Chubby from the Charlotte Checkers, Bones the Dog and Charlotte FC’s Sir Minty.
Keelan Harvick Ices the Young Lions Competition
Keelan Harvick had something to celebrate in Round 3 as a daring move with two laps to go earned him the victory in the Night Owl Companies Young Lions Division.
Harvick started on the pole, leading the first four laps of the race before week one winner Max Reaves quickly took the point position. Reaves looked to have his cake and eat it too but a mechanical failure from Neal Dulin produced a caution bunching the field up.
Three late-race cautions closed in the race giving Harvick a final chance to make it past Reaves. Harvick then completed a competitive last lap win, holding off the aggressive field behind him to finish with a 0.35 second lead at the checkered flag handing Reaves his final party favor.
“Thanks to Max [Reaves] for racing me clean,” Harvick said on the intense final laps. “This is my second year here [at Cook Out Summer Shootout] and I’ve always wanted to win one of these races.”
Joining the birthday celebration with a trip to Victory Lane, Corbin Cannon (Night Owl Companies Beginner Bandos), Camden Truett (Bandits), TJ Moon (Bojangles Outlaws), Benjamin Rogers (Chargers), Michael Crafton (VP Fuels Semi-Pro), Jake Bolman (Pro) and Robby Faggart (Masters) all took the cake in Round 3.
DRIVERS TO WATCH:
Both Pro Driver Jake Bollman and Semi-Pro Michael Crafton kept their eyes on the prize of a Round 3 trophy. Going three for three on the season, these drivers helped blow out the candles on the competition throughout three rounds of Cook Out Summer Shootout racing.
ABOUT COOK OUT SUMMER SHOOTOUT:
Cook Out Summer Shootout is a 10-race showcase of speed among eight different divisions of Legend Cars and Bandoleros. Races are held each Tuesday night, with drivers accumulating points throughout the summer towards a season-ending championship.
TICKETS:
Cook Out Summer Shootout will be back on the track next Tuesday for an ‘awful’ly fun night of jam-packed Legend Car and Bandolero action. Tickets are $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.
KEEP TRACK:
Follow all the thrilling Cook Out Summer Shootout action at Charlotte Motor Speedway on X, Facebook and Instagram.
