Mullins Crashes Out Early In Daytona ARCA Opener

Willie Mullins and Mullins Racing failed to finish Saturday's ARCA Menards Series opener at Daytona International Speedway following an early incident.

Mullins was running in the top-10 on the third lap when he made contact with the bumper of defending Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire race winner Michael Self of Venturini Motorsports down the backstretch.

The contact turned Self sideways and he came down across the track and brought Mullins' No. 3 County Waste/Crow Wing Recycling Ford off the track and into the grass.

After limping his car back to the pits, Mullins' crew quickly realized the damage to the car was terminal and he would be forced to retire from the race after three laps.

"I guess Natalie (Decker) was up against me and I got into Michael Self a little too hard. We just got into it together and tore up both cars," Mullins said. "I'm going to talk to the Venturini's, Bill and Billy, and see how we can work through this and hopefully repair the relationship after I did what I did."

Despite the disappointing finish to the race, Mullins wanted to thank his volunteer crew for everything they did leading up to the race.

"We have the heart, we have the work and we have the desire to do this," Mullins said. "We're very fortunate. We had a great crew chief this year in Tony Furr, we had a great spotter in Kevin Belmont, all the guys just poor their hearts out for the whole week we are down here. Those are the people that make this possible. I just provide the car. They provide all the hard work and dedication to come with us every year."

The No. 3 Mullins Racing Ford carries sponsorship support from County Waste, CW Metals, Crow Wing Recycling, Bugsy's Auto, Snap On by Timmy Brann, Sherwin Williams Paint and Dinah Marie Photography.

For more information on Mullins Racing, please visit mullinsracing.net, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mullinsracing and follow them on Twitter at @mullins_racing.