Summer Sullivan returns to competition at Carteret two weeks after scary accident.

Summer Sullivan, pictured at Bobby Watson's Carteret County Speedway during a pre-race meet and greet on April 5, 2025. (Andy Marquis photo)

Sullivan was okay after opening week crash

PELETIER, NC – Summer Sullivan hopes to rebound at Bobby Watson’s Carteret County Speedway after a vicious accident totaling her primary car in the season-opening race earlier this month.

Sullivan, 16, from Cape Carteret, North Carolina, first began racing at Carteret County Speedway in the summer of 2020 before eventually moving up into the U-CAR division.  During the season opener on April 5 when, after completing 17 of the race’s 25 laps, it looked like her season may have come to an end when she careened into the outside wall in turn four.

“So, over three and four, the tower is like, it kind of covers the spotter stand, so the spotter didn’t see me coming,” Sullivan stated.  “I came in pretty hot and I tire hopped them and flew into the wall.  I went straight into the wall.”

Immediate concern was for Sullivan’s physical well-being, but she walked away and, the following morning, was in good spirits.

“I kind of came to terms with it,” Sullivan explained.  “I was trying to, I guess, tell my dad that I was good to go for the X-Rays.  Everything was fine.  I was a little sore, but that was it.”

Sullivan’s car was damaged heavily in the incident, so she will compete in her dad’s black no. 58 Toyota in the U-CAR class in Saturday’s Morehead Motor Company Spring Showdown presented by Coastal Building.  She is ready to get back in the saddle again and rebound.

“I’m really excited to have a chance to get back in the car as soon as I am,” Sullivan said.  “I’m really excited to see how much faster I can go in my dad’s car.”

Sullivan is a sophomore at Croatan High School.

Saturday’s Morehead Motor Company Spring Showdown presented by Coastal Building features racing for Chargers, Mini Stocks, U-CARs, Bombers, Legends, and Jr. Mini Cups.  Tickets are available online and at the gate on race day for $15.  Discounts are available for kids ages 6-10, and for active and retired military.  Kids five and under are admitted free.

Sullivan's car crashes in turn four at Carteret County Speedway on April 5. (Andy Marquis photo)