The 2015 Lucas Oil Optima Batteries Two Wheel Drive season kicked off this past weekend at the Saluda Young Farmers Complex in Saluda, SC. The “Hottest Pull In The South” is the only stop on the tour this season in a southern state and it did not disappoint as 21 vehicles answered the call to battle on the famed red Carolina dirt.

The first of two nights in Carolina ended with Jamie Mattingly showing the way in his Bardstown KY based “Spike” Ford. The winning distance was 320.41.

Jared Nelson was best in class for Midnight Motorsports on this evening, and his distance of 310.08 placed him solidly in the 5th position aboard the Boyd and Sons sponsored “Midnight Revenger” out of Altamont, IL.

Jared’s wife Bethany, started her title defense and the drive for five with a tenth place finish in Saluda on Night number 1 driving her Warrior Track sponsored “Sweet Revenge, with a distance of 297.46

John Mumma would be next best on the evening for Midnight Motorsports with his pull of 288.82 aboard the “After Midnight” Chevrolet. John’s pass would be good for the #18 position on the Evening.

Jeremy Nelson would be one behind Mumma, as he drove the “Speedco Midnight Gambler” to a distance of 284.80 which would put him up number 19 overall.

After Friday the team re-grouped and made some adjustments that they hoped would serve them well as they attacked the track again for session number 2 on Saturday Night.

John Mumma was the test puller, and he did not disappoint, he took his Philo,IL based “After Midnight”Chevy SSR out early to a distance of 319.53. John had the arduous task of sitting number one as the test puller, and having to watch 19 trucks try to best his mark. In the end, Johns pass was only bested by two competitors and he enjoyed a solid 3rd place finish. When asked about his weekend John had this to say. “We have made some changes this year and have to find the setup that the truck now likes”. “With the changes we made Saturday Afternoon, I think we are headed in the right direction”. “Hoping to do better this weekend in Franklin”.

Jared Nelson hooked in the number 3 spot in the order, so he only had a couple of trucks to watch to gauge his setup against. Jared hooked the Boyd and Sons “Midnight Revenger” and burned it in at a distance of 319.42 which was just about 1.3 inches back from John Mumma, and Jared would also have the pleasure of watching everyone else try to chase him. This distance would be good for the 4Th position when all was said and done in Saluda.

Hooking in the 5th position on Saturday night would be the “Speedco Midnight Gambler” of Jeremy Nelson, Jeremy took the famed blue and yellow 41 dodge panel van to a distance of 307.18 which would be good for the #16 Position on the evening.

The Midnight brain trust pooled all of their information and went to work to share it with Reigning 2014 Champion Bethany Nelson who would take her turn at the Saluda dirt in the number 16 position out of 20 trucks. Bethany needed a distance of 319.53 to best her teammate John Mumma, and after the dust had settled, The Altamont, IL driver blasted her Boyd and Sons Warrior Track sponsored “Sweet Revenge” rocket to a distance of 332.84! which put her on the top of the Pile with 3 trucks left to Pull.

Jessie Petro and his Camden, OH based “2 Timin” Ford made a strong pass at the end of the night, and his distance of 330.91 would be good for second place.

On the evening, Midnight Motorsports got off to a great start with 3 trucks in the top 5 on Saturday night and Jared and Bethany were solidly in the top ten on both evenings in the Palmetto State.

The focus now shifts to our next event at Jim Roberts Park in Franklin KY this coming Fri and Sat as part of the TS Performance pulling weekend.

Stay tuned to www.midnightpulling.com and all of our social media outlets for updates from the road, and thanks as always for your interest in Midnight Motorsports.