As with every spring season, comes this writers favorite time, local short track racing. Short tracks around the country roar to life with the sights and sounds of door to door racing.
Always on the lookout for young fresh talent, this writer’s local track has another driver charging to the front. Sunset International Speedway is a short drive away, and a drive worth taking to see this young driver.
Melissa Bullen is the driver of the #67 Ford Mustang competing every week in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Mighty Mini Division.
Melissa Bullen: Racing in Her Veins
Like most drivers racing at a young age, they are usually surrounded with racing in their family, Bullen is no different. She is a third generation driver following in the footsteps of her grandfather, her father and her brother.
From the time she was young she has traveled around southern Ontario helping and supporting her racing family. It was from watching her family race every week that gave her the desire to begin racing herself. Bullen will proudly tell you that her grandfather father and brother all have had a significant impact on her racing career. With no fear and hardly any experience, she jumped into a 4-cylinder Mustang and her career was launched.
Her first year of racing was 2015, and although she was unable to run the full season she still managed two top ten finishes as well as two consolation wins.
This year she has picked up where she left off, winning another consolation already.
When asked about her goals for the future, again it’s all about family. With the help of her father and brother her goal is to simply get better and learn as much as she can every night. She would love to reach top five in points. Bullen sees herself continuing her racing at Sunset Speedway and eventually moving up to the Mini Stock class. She would also love a chance to race a 9 hp Sprint car and have the opportunity to race an open wheel modified like her brother.
This writer is very impressed with Bullen and her love of family, and with them around her, look to see Melissa Bullen from Bullen Racing in victory lane real soon.
2016 sponsors: Cabral Racing Promotions, Wix Filters, Ryan’s Landscaping, Paul Howse and Associates, Kevin’s Media Streamers INL3D, Permatrex, Castrol Canada, Redline Signs & Apparel, K&J General Contracting, NGK Spark Plugs, Northway Tire LTD
And a huge thanks to her parents and brothers Branden and Josh.
Facebook: Bullen Racing
Twitter:@67bullenracing
Instagram:@67bullenracing
Photo courtesy Bullen Racing on Facebook.
