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Mechanical Issues Continue To Haunt Mike Looney

Mike Looney’s recurring mechanical issues appeared once again on Saturday evening when clutch issues took him out of contention at South Boston.

STS file photo

Bad luck has followed Mike Looney everywhere during the 2021 season.

In Saturday’s Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 at South Boston Speedway, a clutch issue ultimately took him out of contention after leading most of the opening 100 laps.

While Looney rebounded to finish sixth, he knew that his No. 87 Harrison’s Workwear Chevrolet belonged in victory lane.

“What a great car,” Looney said. “You have good years and bad years but gremlins seem to be our theme this year. Thankfully my guys go the clutch fixed up just enough at the break so we could continue on but it’s a tall order to pass 37 cars in 100 laps.”

For every race in which Looney has won or obtained a strong finish, he has had another one derailed by circumstances outside of his control.

Looney lead 46 laps in the MTP Tire 250 at Hickory Motor Speedway in March before an aggressive driving penalty relegated him to 13th.

One month later in the Old North State Nationals, Looney found himself in a great position to bring home the $30,000 race-winning paycheck until a fuel pickup issues forced him into the pits with just a few laps remaining.

That same fuel pickup issue returned in his next CARS Tour start at Caraway Speedway after he had qualified on the pole but he entered South Boston confident that the problem had been resolved.

Another pole-winning run for Looney in the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 allowed him to challenge Peyton Sellers for the lead during the first half of the race until the bad clutch caused him to fade before the halfway break.

Looney was frustrated to see another internal issue cost him a shot at a victory but he was not yet ready to give up on the evening.

“We thought about just parking it,” Looney said. “A lot of fans came out to see us race and we had folks who pay the bills so that we can do this. We decided to tough it out and see if the clutch would go. I had a good time but I didn’t think I’d get through that train of cars.”

Despite the circumstances, Looney admitted that he found some enjoyment climbing his way back up to the front and was more pleased to see very few scratches on his car after the checkered flag.

Looney was not disappointed with his final showing in the Thunder Road Harley-Davidson 200 but he added that Saturday was just another what-if scenario in a season full of them for his team.

“It’s a shame to take a car this fast and not win with it,” Looney said. “You don’t get many opportunities to win this race in your lifetime. We were leading and only running at 75 percent. It’s a good thing I saved tires because I needed all the rubber possible to get back to the front. That car should have won this race.”

The sixth place finish for Looney at South Boston keeps him in contention for the Virginia Late Model Triple Crown ahead of the Hampton Heat at Langley Speedway on July 24.

While Looney is determined to get a win at Langley, he simply wants to get a strong finish so he turn his luck around before the year concludes.

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Brandon White graduated from the University of North Carolina pursuing a career in journalism. Prior to joining Short Track Scene, he worked with the CARS Tour and at Race22. He predominantly covers the CARS Tour as well as other races throughout the year.

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