04/19/2026
Last week's rundown of the 57th Apple Cup. Team Zero Racing prepared four competitive cars to compete in three different classes, but unfortunately, luck wouldn't be on our side. Patrick Mullins, driving the #09 Team Zero-built Porthander, would lose an engine in final practice. JJ Mullins, following closely behind in his #07 Northwest Super Late, would lose control on an oiled-down track, sending him into the outside wall, damaging the car and removing it from the weekend's competition. With both drivers extremely disappointed, Patrick would load up and head to the shop to swap out an engine and try to make it back so that Patrick and JJ would both be able to qualify and start in their respective events. However, the bad luck would continue after Patrick's return; a failed oil line would keep him out of the Cars Tour West event, and then a broken drive plate in qualifying for JJ in the Northwest Tour would end his weekend. Team Zero Racing still had two cars in competition: Todd Connell in the new #02.1 Jefferson Racing-built Port City and Ken Mullins in the #03 Hobby Stock Camaro. Ken and the team would struggle with the handling of the #03 most of the weekend, after replacing part after part. Speed and comfort were found, and Ken would qualify with a 21.3. The main event would start, and Ken would move up and down the board, battling hard on every lap, bringing the #03 Hobby home a respectable 8th. However, after post-race inspection, he would be credited with a 6th place finish. Then came Todd's turn to show what the off-season work was worth. #02.1 was fast out of the box, recording times faster than previous times at the tricky tri-oval. Todd would qualify 20th with an 18.5 and be set to drive his way from the back to the front as the main event started. Todd would have contact with two other competitors coming out of the west turn on two different occasions, causing him to go back to the back and do it all over again. Unfortunately, at the 75-lap break, there would be a stack-up on a restart, causing damage to the front air dam and ending the race for Todd. The weekend was full of ups and downs, but the team didn't quit. As we reflected on the weekend, we can't thank our sponsors and family and friends enough. So, if you find yourself in one of our sponsor establishments or using one of their services, please tell them thank you for their support of the team. Thank you to our sponsors: Mid-Columbia Dermatology, Tys Bar and Grill, Team Zero Racing, Super Fresh Growers, Von Steen Insurance, Amy Maier John L Scott Realty, Performance Plumbing, Choose Your Color Painting, Interstate Batteries, Jefferson Racing, Design47, All Star Performance, Schaeffers Oils, Port City Racecars, Porter family, Fred Null. Thank you to the friends, family, and crew: Tanya Shoemaker, Steve Berven, Patrick Mullins, JJ Mullins, Jerry Mullins, Kenny Mullins, Cody Mullins, Dayton Mullins, Ryker Payne, Cody Cromwell, Randy Genz, Dewy Mullins, Gina Mullins, Corina Payne, Ed & Lorie, Dan & Julie, Robin, Kiela, Noah, Grayson.
