STATESVILLE, N.C. – Ryan Millington concluded his 2016 racing season with an appearance at Myrtle Beach Speedway’s UNOH Battle at the Beach for NASCAR-style late model stock cars, finishing 24th after a stellar qualifying effort earlier in the day.
The 15-year-old timed in 16th out of more than 60 cars that attempted to make the field for the 24th annual event at the half-mile oval, locking himself into the field and meaning he didn’t have to run a qualifying race before the 225-lap feature.
However, electrical and handling issues made for a long night for Millington, who ended up retiring before the conclusion of the race.
“We just missed it on the setup the whole day,” Millington admitted. “We couldn’t get the car to turn through the corners and then had problems with the alternator during the feature. With all of that going on, we just decided to park the car so we didn’t get anything else torn up. It was disappointing, but it doesn’t at all represent how much effort we put in to making this season a good one!”
Millington ends his first year in a full-sized late model with three wins at Hickory Motor Speedway and the North Carolina Rookie of the Year Award, which he will receive in December at the NASCAR Whelen All American Series awards banquet at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.
He scored 13 total top five finishes in 20 starts between Hickory and various late model touring series and ranked 16th among all drivers in the North Carolina state standings with 329 points.
“For this year being my first year in a late model stock car, I don’t know how we could have asked for any more out of my season. I’m super proud of the entire team for the work they’ve put in and I’m looking forward to even greater things in 2017. Thanks to my dad, TAOTAO USA and all of our other partners for their support this year!”
Follow Millington on Facebook by searching Millington Motorsports, and for more information on driver and team, visit his website at www.RyanMillington.com.
About Ryan Millington
Ryan Millington is an accomplished 15-year-old racer from Statesville, North Carolina. Growing up in a family with a background and love for the sport, Ryan has already been a winner on both dirt and pavement, competing in several different types of cars.
Millington has won over 80 races in go-karts on dirt and has also won on INEX legends cars on pavement. In 2015, Ryan had legends car wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway and Anderson Motor Speedway, and scored a mini-outlaw win at Millbridge Speedway on the dirt.
The personable teenager has also had multiple poles and three victories to date in the Millington Motorsports No. 17 late model stock car. 2016 sees Ryan and the team concentrating on building their late model program out of their shop in Statesville, N.C.
Ryan’s promotion and coaching is handled by veteran Performance Coach Tom Baker of Team Full Throttle in Charlotte, N.C. His marketing partners include Scott Millington Motorsports and TAOTAO USA Inc.
CREDIT: Millington Motorsports
