Mike Marlar waves the checkers in Mudlick Valley's victory lane.
What won the race: Winning his first race at Mudlick Valley Raceway in 18 years, Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., raced to a flag-to-flag victory Sunday in Ultimate Heart of America Series competition for a $5,000 payday. The polesitter took the checkers 2.120 seconds ahead of 10th-starting Justin Rattliff in the late-night, nonstop 40-lapper.
Key notes: Mike Marlar competed earlier in the weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., in the Infinity Race Car he switched to from Longhorn in late March, but he unloaded what the announcer termed \"his own chassis\" at Mudlick Valley; DirtonDirt asked Marlar about the car but he didn't immediately respond. In victory lane, Marlar called it a car \"that I've been messing with.\" ... He was making his first start at the track since he drove the Flemingsburg, Ky.-based Stephens family No. 34 in 2007, He collected his fourth career Ultimate Heart of America Series victory. ... He notched his first victory since October 2024 and had nearly a five-second lead before a lap-26 caution erased it. ... Tyler Carpenter retired after 25 laps running third. ... Fourth-starting R.J. Conley held the second spot early, but climbed the turn-four wall on the 11th lap and retired a few laps later. .... The first of two cautions appeared on the 26th lap when Lucas Crooks slowed with a flat tire. ... Larry Martin Jr. drew a lap-32 yellow flag. ... The feature started about 12:30 a.m. after rain delayed Late Model time trials for approximately two hours; on-track activity resumed just after 9:30 p.m. ... Camaron Marlar debuted a new Infinity Race Car but started and parked in the feature. ... Tristan Chamberlain won the previous night's Ultimate HofA event at 191 Speedway in Campton, Ky.; he finished third at Mudlick Valley.
On the move: Runner-up Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, Ky., started 10th; Justin Cooper of Wheelersburg, Ohio, started 12th and finished fourth.
Winner's sponsors: Marlar’s Skyline Motorsports No. 157 carries sponsorship from Bruening Rock Products, Skyline Materials, Truck Country, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Olson Explosives, Bennett Explosives, Petroff Towing, Can-Am Auto Salvage, Brown’s Heavy Equipment, VP Racing Fuels, Bilstein and Capital Signs.
Points chase: After Mudlick Valley: 1. Blake Creech (113); 2. Larry Martin Jr. (106); 3. Derek Fisher (99); 4. Brad Rickels (91); Kenneth Howell (87).
Current weather: Overcast Light Rain, 55°F
Car count: 29
Fast qualifier: Mike Marlar
Time: 13.608 seconds
Polesitter: Mike Marlar
Heat race winners: Mike Marlar, Derek Fisher, Tyler Carpenter, R.J. Conley, , , ,
Consolation race winners: Brad Rickels, , ,
Provisional starters: Daniel Shelton, Nicky Pennington, ,
Next series race: June 14, Paducah International Raceway (Paducah, KY) $5,000