It took 43 years of trying to win the Mid Summer Classic at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for one Rick Mueller, of Wichita, Ks. Now, after one of the hottest weekends on record this year, Mueller has his name in the history books as a champion of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 59th Annual Hutchinson Grand National Auto Races Presented By Mel Hambelton Ford. Mueller was the first to capture the 2015 edition of the event by winning the Thumper division championship feature on Friday night of the Nationals.
J.D. Johnson, of Wichita, Ks. drove off early from the field then held a safe margin over a stellar group of Sprint Car teams to card the win over former champion and runner-up Jeremy Campbell, of Wichita. Jack Dover, of Springfield, Ne, was on hand seeking his third straight Nationals title, but never made the start for the championship event. First a bleeder on his right rear tire went down during the parade lap forcing him to the infield to change the right rear. Then when the car restarted , Dover felt something was not right with the power plant and brought the car back into the infield where he watched the entire 20 lap championship event.
Tyler Davis, of Haysville, Ks. captured one of the more dramatic championship features in the NCRA Modified division. Davis, who was strong all night, did not lead the race till the final couple of laps when he got by Ryan McAninch, of Hutchinson, on a late race re-start.
J.D. Choate, of Ponca City, Ok. (or close to it) was the winner of the Street Stock title. Choate was really never challenged despite an excellent field of drivers who lost touch with the Sooner state driver early and were never able to real him back in.
Damion Pataucka, of Enid, Ok, picked up his first ever Nationals title when he grabbed the checkered flag in the NCRA / NeSmith Dirt Late Model championship.
Championship Results:
NCRA Sprint Cars: 1. JD Johnson 2. Jeremy Campbell 3. CJ Johnson 4. Danny Jennings 5. Danny Wood 6. Don Droud Jr 7. Keith Meyer 8. Jon Freeman 9. Raymond Seeman 10. Jeff Stasa 11. Josh Fairbank 12. Ty Williams 13. Jake Greider 14. Billy Alley 15. Randy Woodside 16. Jack Dover
NCRA Modified: 1. Tyler Davis 2. Ryan McAninch 3. Brian Franz 4. Scott Green 5. Josh Lanterman 6. Kenny Sweet 7. Troy Gemmill 8. Dan Powers 9. Bill Siemers 10. Tanner Mullens 11. Justin Moler 12. Ross Shipman 13. Andy Wilkinson 14. Tanner Lamb 15. Richie Wilson 16. Johnny Whitmore 17. Dustin Choate 18. Brendon Gemmill 19. Jacob Schmutz 20. Joe Adams 21. Bobby Bills 22. Kirby Robe 23. Craig Crossette 24. Jeremy Green
NCRA / NeSmith Dirt Late Model: 1. Damian Patocka 2. Delbert Smith 3. Daniel Smith 4. Dusty Leonard 5. Darrick Klima 6. Kip Hughes 7. Chris Kratzer 8. Darin Busch 9. Ryan Grit 10. Jeremy Hamen 11. Wylan Petrie 12. Brad Morris 13. Tyler Stucky 14. Chris Bratcher
Street Stock: 1. JD Choate 2. Adam Popp 3. Jeremy Nulf 4. Craig Miller 5. David Blocher 6. Jeremy Bishop 7. Jason Nulf 8. Marlin Farr 9. Rustin Wilson 10. Gary Kilbourn
Thumper: 1. Rick Mueller 2. Jeremie Myers 3. Robert Foster 4. Dustin Whitford 5. Clay McConnell 6. Shawn Allen Jr 7. Ryan Quiring 8. Cameron Whitford 9. Tanner Thiel 10. Scott Miller 11. David Blevins 12. Matt Scheuermann 13. Rich Higerd 14. Joel Hill 15. Larry Miller