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By LEN SAMMONS
Tyler Shullick’s season looked finished on Monday, August 18, at Fremont Speedway in Ohio, when his dirt 305 Sprint Car erupted in flames, leaving him with burns to his hands and face and a trip to the hospital and then a burn center. Just 11 days later, however, Shullick was at N.Y.’s Oswego Speedway, strapped into the Jimmy Bodnar No. 96 Supermodified for practice and qualifying for Sunday’s 200-lap classic.
“There was no thought about not racing this event unless I felt like I was the weak link and couldn’t withstand 200 laps and be my best,” said Tyler at the end of a long day on Friday. 
“When I got in the ambulance for them to look at my hand, I was already asking the paramedic if I could hold a steering wheel in two weeks. His only response was, ‘Sir, you need to go to the hospital.’ I knew then I needed to get better.”
Tyler’s parents were out of town and not at the event, but his girlfriend, Amanda, was with him, along with several good friends who helped with the Sprint Car.
“I called Jimmy (Bodnar, Super car owner) right away, so he knew the situation, and he was more than understanding. This Monday, I got back to work and I texted him and told him I was feeling really well and think I will be okay,” said Tyler.
“I told him if I’m 100% we’ll do it. By the middle of the week, I was feeling really good; my body healed quicker than I expected, so here we are. We never talked about a backup driver, I was pretty certain I was going to do everything I could to race. Took my time, rested, and listened to the doctors, and they steered me in the right direction.”
Tyler took the blame for the fire. He was just getting pushed off for the start when it went up in flames.
“I personally left a fitting loose, it was on me. I changed the pill before the feature and just overlooked something, and it got me,” said Tyler.
“The spray hit the exhaust, but by the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. Mentally, I was aware it was a fuel leak and got it shut off, but it was a little too late.”
Tyler said he was wearing top-quality safety equipment, but did not have a fire bottle, which is not required—something he plans to get before next year. His one glove was knocked off during his exit from the car.
“A minor mistake on my part with a big repercussion. I need to take it as a lesson and move on,” said Tyler.
“I had all my full safety gear on, but my visor was up at that time because I had just pushed off. That’s how I got my facial burns. The Simpson racing products, Bell Helmet, and skirt were second to none. Everything held up; it was just a race against time. At some point, you just can’t overcome fire for an extended period of time.”
Tyler exited the car on his own quickly, while bystanders tried to put out the fire on his uniform.
“My suit was on fire from above my knees to my shoulders on my left side. There were some great people who jumped in to help put the fire out wearing street clothes who didn’t hesitate,” said Tyler. “I owe a lot of people a thank you for doing so. Thankfully, there was someone up there watching out for me because it could have been much, much worse.”
Fremont runs Sprint Cars weekly and is well prepared for putting out an alcohol fire. They were not, however, located in a position close to where he was pushing off for the start of the feature.
“They just couldn’t get there immediately to help, so the bystanders jumped in. The track crew knows what they are doing, just took the time to get there.”
Friday’s practice run at Oswego was anything but smooth. With a scar across his nose and a special glove protecting his left hand, Shullick battled a steering issue that proved unfixable despite borrowed parts and advice from nearby crews.
“It’s a big weekend, and every lap you can get here to find a balance to muscle it for two laps for qualifying or to finesse it for 200 laps is important,” said Shullick.
“The first time I came in, my dad asked me how my hand was, and honestly, I never thought about it, so I knew we were in good shape for Sunday. I knew it wouldn’t have any effect on us. I’m wearing this white glove over my racing glove just to keep it clean.”
The team opted to skip qualifying, secure the proper parts from the Muldoon shop, and prepare for race day, knowing all cars would start.
“Only got a handful of laps in practice, knew something wasn’t right, so we’re going to take tomorrow and diagnose it and make sure it’s right for Sunday,” said Shullick.
“Then the task at hand will be to run 200 laps and get to the front of it before it’s over.”
Missing qualifying was one thing, but not having time on the track to set up the car properly for 200 laps was another.
“Not getting fast laps today is not ideal, but it’s nothing I don’t think we can handle. It’s the third time we’ve been here this year, running the same car with the top wing and for the Oswego rules events,” he added.
From last on the 28-car grid, Shullick showed his grit on Sunday. Under warm, sunny skies, he powered through 200 grueling laps to finish a remarkable fourth in the high-paying, but non-point event.
“Getting a win or a good finish on Sunday would mean the world for this team,” Tyler said at the end of the day on Friday.
“That’s what we’re here for. It might be a tall order starting last, but that’s what we’re here to do.”
Shullick is now ready for the ISMA/MSS point series finale at Evans Mills Speedway on Saturday, September 13. There he’ll start the 100-lap event with just a two-point lead in hopes of clinching a first-ever championship.
“Got the point lead with one to go. Got to capitalize on that now and show our full potential at Evans Mills in a couple of weeks,” said Shullick.
“Winning the title would be huge for our team. Finished fifth last year, the first for us as a team. For us to come out of the gate our second year together with a chance to win the title, when things have not always gone our way.”
Shullick’s family is well known in Supermodified racing. Tyler, however, didn’t get his first chance until two years ago when he ran three or four races and the Oswego Classic for Bob Bond, who was helping him and the team this past week.
“It was just hit and miss for me in Super starts, until Jimmy and Jim approached me about doing this. We’ve been full-time ever since the last two years,” he informed.
Ironically, DJ Shullick, Tyler’s cousin, set the fastest time for Sunday’s race. He would start first and Tyler last. DJ was the rabbit, leading the race early before dropping out. Tyler, the turtle, who kept pace all the way to the finish, missed the podium by one spot.
When not running the Supermodified, Tyler drives his family-owned 305 Sprint Car in northern Ohio.
“Sold our pavement Modified in 2019 and entered the Sprint Car world. It’s been quite the ride, a lot of fun, enjoy it, but Supermodifieds are my home,” said Tyler.
“If your last name is Shullick, a Supermodified is what feels like home. We do have a ton of fun with the Sprint Car, but that’s all that is to it.”
Prior to his injury at Fremont, Shullick said he had picked up a few wins there and at Attica Raceway.
“Been tough with my work schedule in years past to run that much, and the Supermodified schedule is always my priority, so I only hit-and-miss Sprint races,” said Tyler.
“If the opportunity presented itself to run a 410, I’d do it, but it’s not in the cards for me right now. My priority remains the Supermodified and the Bodnar team. Sprint Cars are fun and I have a blast, it’s still all business with the Sprint Car, but only run them when I can.”
