The “M&M Bunch” of Michael Pope and Meghan Dillner are beginning to pick up speed in the short track world in 2009. Both scored top-10 finishes at the PASS sanctioned event at Orange County Speedway in April; Pope a sixth-place effort in the #51 Chevrolet Super Late Model and Dillner a ninth-place run in a Chevy Silverado Late Model Truck.

For Dillner, it was her first race in a Late Model Truck. The Pro Challenge National Title contender took to the bigger truck with ease at the three-eighths of a mile track in Rougemont, NC. She was fastest in final practice; was third in qualifying and was in the top-five until she brushed the truck halfway through the 50-lap race.

“Getting into a new car for the first time is always an interesting for a driver, but it's also filled with excitement. Driving that truck that car owner “Speedy” was generous enough to provide for me was an awesome experience,” said the 15-year-old Dillner, who ended up ninth overall. “I adapted to the new driving style much better than I thought I would for my first time in the seat of a full sized, V8 powered racing machine. I spent my time in the practice rounds gradually building up my speed, following some of the other drivers in the series, and getting used to the track. I ended up qualifying third and even though a loose racecar brought us to an unfortunate incident in the race, I

was very proud of my team for our efforts this weekend. It was definitely a great learning experience.

“I really enjoyed racing in this new PASS Truck series. All of the drivers raced me cleanly and I respect that. I am looking forward to jumping into the seat again in another race in the future.”

Michael Pope was also satisfied with his sixth place run in the Rally Against Cancer with the Jimmy Fund #51 in the PASS Super Late Model 150-lap race.

“I am really, really proud of the team,” commented Pope with a smile. “The way they worked together to get this finish was amazing. We started 16th and got all the way up to sixth.

“Our Chevy was really loose through the corner during the first 75 laps. We came in and made a track bar adjustment and it made the car awesome right afterward. I don't think we went quite enough because it ended up fading away there at the end, but we learned a lot for when we race at Orange County with the PASS tour again in August.”

“I was very proud of my teammate Michael Pope this weekend,” added Dillner. “He had a good run and I always have fun when I'm at the track with him. We are not only teammates but great friends and that makes the time spent at the racetrack all of the more enjoyable.”