Quincy Derby Super Stock champion Mullen was ‘in it to win it’ — then nearly claims Masters Elite title, too

QUINCY — An exhausted Kalli Mullen pulled no punches when revealing her game plan after Saturday’s 19th annual Quincy Derby.

“I was in it to win it,” the 14-year-old said.

And she did.

Almost twice.

Mullen recovered from a late setback, roaring out of the Super Stock losers’ bracket to defeat 2022 champion Riley Delgado twice in the finals that played out on the quarter-mile 18th Street Hill in the shadow of Bob Mays Park.

Mullen’s championship was her second in the derby. She also won the Super Stock division in 2019.

Mullen, who is from Bluffs, almost earned a second title Saturday. She was thwarted by 15-year-old Corin Robinson of Carthage in the finals of the Masters Elite class. Mullen also emerged from the losers’ bracket in that division to pin a loss on Robinson, who then rebounded in the second title race to claim a second straight Masters Elite trophy. All derby events are double-elimination.

Mullen said she remained confident throughout the day-long event and felt going in that a first- or second-place finish was within her reach in both Super Stock and Masters Elite.

“Super Stock is my favorite class, though,” Mullen said. “I like those cars more. They’re more comfortable.”

The longer, sleeker Masters Elite frames can be difficult to both fit comfortably into and guide down the track for some competitors.

Mullen’s five years in the derby have seen her produce an impressive 48-16 overall record. Her victory total is second only to derby hall of famer Jadyn Vogel (66-20), whose eight-year career ended after last year’s event. 

The confident Mullen encouraged others her age to start building their own Grand Prix of Gravity resumes.

“If you want to drive, just do it,” she said.

Delgado’s runner-up finish in the Super Stocks denied him being the first back-to-back champ in that class, but his 6-2 record Saturday boosted his three-year overall mark to 19-7 — 18-3 of that in the Super Stocks.

When Delgado lost twice in the finals to Mullen that ended a notable win streak for the Fowler racer. Dating to 2022 when he won 11 straight races coming out of the losers’ bracket to gain the championship, and then opening this year’s run with six consecutive victories, Delgado had strung together 17 straight Super Stock wins before Mullen slammed the door.

Finishing third in Super Stock was Maddie Maas (7-2) of Quincy, who boosted her career derby record to 29-12.

Mullen, Robison and Stock champ Audrey Robison of Quincy combined to give the girls a sweep of the three championships for the second time in three years. The girls also own a 22-20 all-time lead in derby titles.

Robison, who finished 11-1, was bounced into the losers’ bracket after her first race and then spent the rest of the day marching toward the finals, eventually downing Macy Sonethongkham (5-2) of Quincy twice in the finals. Sonethongkham was named the Rookie of the Year for her performance.

Robison earned the Hard Charger Award for her comeback victory and was quite appreciative of that recognition. 

“I was tired, really tired … but you have to believe in yourself,” Robison said.

While a challenge, the 11-year-old Robison felt a deep and talented Stock class also worked to her benefit.

“That was the hardest part … I knew everyone was a good racer,” said Robison, who felt that quality field helped keep her sharp as the day wore on.

Finishing third in the Stock class was Mackenzie Loos (5-2) of Leawood, Kan., whose family originally was from Quincy.

Robinson, 8-1 in the last two years of Masters Elite competition, said there was no doubt she will return in 2024 to try for a third straight title.

“Every time I go down the track is exciting,” she said. “Each time is different. This is such a great experience.”

Behind Robinson and Mullen on the Masters Elite trophy stand was third-place Tanner Wisely of Coatsburg, who competed in all three divisions and posted a 10-6 overall record, Wisely, the 2022 Stock champion, boosted his career record to 40-17 and is now tied with his brother, Tyler, for the fourth-most overall victories and the most in the boys division. Tyler Wisely, who did not race this weekend, is 40-14.

QUINCY DERBY CAREER VICTORIES TOP 10 (2005-2023): Jadyn Vogel (66-20), Kalli Mullen (48-16),Kaelyn Hess (47-14), Tyler Wisely (47-14), Tanner Wisely (40-17), Cooper Kleinkopf (38-38), Addison Buckley (32-15), Klayton Kleinkopf (30-14), Maddie Maas (29-12), Lizzy Blickhan (29-26). 

OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: Jadyn Vogel 6, Kalli Mullen 2, Kaelyn Hess 2, Kayla Reichert 2, Logan Steinkoenig, 2, Cooper Kleinkopf 2.

FINAL FOUR FINISHES: Jadyn Vogel 8, Kalli Mullen 6, Kaelyn Hess 6, Tanner Wisely 5, Kayla Reichert 4.

The names in bold face were active this year.