Brenden Queen Dominates at Dominion, Wins Mini's Mission 125

Brenden Queen dominated the Mini’s Mission 125 at Dominion Raceway on Saturday evening, but the biggest win of the week for his team at the Virginia short track had already taken place on Thursday.

Mini’s Mission, a charitable effort led by zMAX CARS Tour competitor Mini Tyrrell, hosted 30 families from Walter Reed Children’s National Hospital for an all-expenses-paid weekend of fun at the track. Last year at Dominion, Queen met Landon McKearn through this program.

McKearn and Queen reunited this weekend, with plenty of reason to celebrate. McKearn “rang the bell” at the end of his cancer treatment on Thursday, and watched Queen lead every lap of the CARS Tour event on Saturday.

Queen finished second in a photo-finish to Bobby McCarty last year at Dominion, and he was determined to finish one spot better for McKearn on Saturday.

“I let him down last year and let it get away at the end,” said Queen in victory lane. “I told him this year, when I found out he was going to be with us again, that wasn’t going to happen.

“He rang the bell for his cancer remission. My man is an inspiration right here. I saw him last year to now. That shows you never give up, keep fighting. We’re all proud of you. This win is for you, because nothing else matters. We get to race these cars. What you went through is more than any of us know what it feels like.

“Thanks to Mini’s Mission,” continued Queen. “That’s what it’s all about. I’d give up all my wins to see someone like Landon here ring the bell. That means more to me than winning these races. Life is what’s important, and I’m just glad we could have both tonight with him here and a win.”

While the win may pale in comparison to real-life battles, it will be an important one for Queen’s championship aspirations. After a 14th place finish at Langley Speedway two weeks ago, “Butterbean” is still very much in the title fight.

“I’ve got to give a shoutout to Bean Nation. Langley was a tough one for us, but we got a redemption one tonight, boys.”

The points leader entering the evening, Connor Hall, rallied from a 15th-place qualifying effort to finish second.

“Just 125 qualifying laps, it felt like,” said Hall. “This place is so gripped up. Just to be incrementally better than the car in front of you, you have to really give it your all.

“I felt like we were fighting a little bit of a balance issue. We started a little loose, then ended up a little tight. Just swung too far. Second is pretty good from 15th, so good points night. I don’t think we had mucb for the 03, I don’t think anybody did.

Meanwhile, Treyten Lapcevich held off Conner Jones to finish third. It marked the first CARS Tour podium finish for the former NASCAR Canada Series champion.

“I think some of the exhaust fell apart with about 30, 35 laps to go there,” said Lapcevich. “It got really loud and fumey inside the car, and obviously we lost some power at that same time, too. Overall, I’m really happy we could get our first podium here with the Evrium/BKFC number 77 here and get the Chad Bryant team a good finish.”

Jones finished fourth, with Mini Tyrrell finishing fifth in the race bearing his charity's name.

The next event for the zMAX CARS Tour will be a mid-week special on Wednesday, July 3 at Caraway Speedway. Both the Late Model Stock Cars and Pro Late Models will be in action.

-Photo credit: CARS Tour

MINI'S MISSION 125 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS