World Of Outlaws Late Models Will Invade Delaware
June 13, 2004
Delmar, DE…..The racing action at the Delaware International Speedway (DIS) has continued to be non-stop action each weekend. Mother Nature did bite the hand of action for the first time on June 5, when a last minute shower hovered over the track, literally. The track had opened the gates and things were positive until that cloud let go before any events took place. A lot of other tracks were rained out and made their way to DE only to be shot down by old Mother Nature. But, other than that racing has been hot as ever and only keeps getting better.
Making their way to Delaware Wednesday, July 21, will be the World Of Outlaws Late Model Series; the rain date if needed will be July 22. This is a new series this year traveling the all over the United States which started back in February with their schedule. The 2004 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Dirty Dozen is a select team of some of the sport’s finest champions who represent the featured attraction for both fans and competition among these drivers. Delaware is fortunate enough to have super fast Late Model class already and fans that love Late Models as well as the Big Block Modifieds.
There are twelve guys that are called “The Dirty Dozen” that are traveling full time with this new series not counting the drivers from the tracks they visit or other drivers that have joined in the WoOLMS when near their area. Some of the “dirty dozen” drivers have already visited DIS in the past at sometime or another to race. Just a few of them are Rick Eckert #24, Steve Francis #15, and Scott Bloomquist in #0 that I can remember. Some of the other “dirty dozen” drivers are Rick Aukland #12, Mike Balzano #E1, Chub Frank #1*, Bart Hartman #75, Darrell Lanigan #29, Dale McDowell #17M, Billy Moyer #21, Dan Schlieper #9, and Clint Smith #44.
There are also quite a few other drivers that are regulars in this series. One in particular is Tim McCreadie in the Sweeteners Plus numbered thirty-nine sponsored Rocket. McCreadie is usually running in a Modified stock car, but has been racing with the WoOLMS. McCreadie is a contender for Rookie of the Year in the WoOLMS and currently rides in second in the rookie standings. McCreadie is as of this writing in thirteenth place over all in points. McCreadie has been participating in the South East Dirt Series also which is scheduled to travel to DIS in August too; more news to come on that event next month.
The evening will be a big night at DIS, and tickets have just gone on sale this week. Spectators are $26, Reserved $30, and Pits are $35. Make sure you get yours in plenty of time, I am sure they will go fast. Contact the race office at 302.875.1911 for more details, visa, MasterCard accepted.
It will be a $10,000 purse, with some of DIS finest drivers putting in their hard earned efforts to compete right along with the WoOLMS drivers. Such drivers as Kenny Pettyjohn, David Hill, Mark Byram, Rick Whaley, Ray Davis Jr., Richard Jarvis Jr., will more than likely be on hand. I am sure a few from other tracks will make their way to DIS such as Blooper Bare, Gary Stuhler, Roy Deese Jr., Dan Stone, Chuck Schutz, and even Randy Stoudt maybe. No confirmations at this time as which drivers will be here or not has been made known to me, but keep an eye on DIS web site at www.delawareracing.com or www.redbud69racing.com for all your details. Either way you won’t want to miss out on all the Late Model Action.
Also this coming month the Delaware State Police will be hosting the thirty-second annual Camp Barnes Benefit races. This event will be on Tuesday, July 6, which is always a big turn out of cars and with Thursday, July 8 as the rain date. The Delaware State Police will be hosting this event again and it has always been a big success. The support from the drivers and fans has made this so successful every year and it is all for a good cause.
The benefit helps the less than fortunate and under privileged children to be able to attend the Camp Barnes Campground. The summer camp has brought smiles to children for many years. To see a child light up from a simple pleasure in life as in a camp and group interaction would mean more than words can describe. Your support can make a difference in a Child’s life. This benefit always makes it an honor for the drivers to help and contribute in what they do best. And that’s to put on a show filled with all kinds of hot dirt track racing.
This year shall be no different, with the Big Block Modified, Super Late Models, Mighty Street Modifieds, Lightening Fast Modified Lites, the “new” AC Delco TSS Modified, and the Flyin Little Lincolns will all take to the oval for action. So make sure you get your tickets or come out and support the benefit. You will not be sorry. A big show of drivers is always expected.
More news at the track still has H. J. Bunting leading in the Modified points at this writing, with Rick Bishop only lagging with a mere sixteen points behind in fourth. The Saturday before last Bishop would claim his first win for 2004 after five top 5’s and one top 10; it was just a matter of time before he made it to the checkered for 2004. So with the win and the heats, will it be enough for Bishop to move into first before long? Don’t know, but I am sure the win and consistency has helped immensely. Bishop finished fourth just last week adding another top five, yet Bunting had a third place finish in the twenty-five lap feature and third in the heat that same Saturday night too. Bunting has one top five and three top 10's; everyone still has a big chance in this class so far though. The battle for first through fourth with only sixteen points with first through fourth, ten with first and second place, and both Bishop and the 2003 defending champion Craig Mullins are tied for third and fourth places. So the battle is on with all the top five in the Modifieds.
Bishop was in his back up car of 2003 as repairs were being made to this year’s car. Bishop said, “The track was slick on the inside, but it also had bit in it, I liked it” “We have worked hard each week, and I can’t say enough about my crew of Kevin, Jason, Andy, Matt, Josh, Christy, Dave, Judy, Nathan or my sponsors of Clearview Farms Milts Lawn Care, Matco Tools, Bishop’s backhoe & Plumbing Inc., Dover Plumbing, Harbor House Seaford, Northern Chesapeake Construction, and Clopper Farms. These guys have been with me for a while and put up with a lot, but still support us. I just thank them all.” Just this past week Tim Millman in the numbered four-one-zero picked up his second career win and first of 2004.
David Hill has had the lead in the Late Model points action and was tied before last Saturday night with David Pettyjohn. The weekend before last Saturday night Hill was away on vacation and Pettyjohn finished with a fourth place finish, so I know there will be a little upset there. I don’t do the points myself, rather not, I like being in suspense. The points were just posted before printing and posted; Pettyjohn moved into the lead with a one-hundred -fifteen point lead. One race out can really hurt ya. But Hill will return and be back in full contest. Hill has had two top 5's and two top 10's along with three wins. Pettyjohn has had three top 5's and two wins. Just this past weekend Hill did return and made up a lot of ground with a third place finish; while Pettyjohn had some problems when he hit the tires in the turn and bent in the nose of his car. Pettyjohn was couple laps down after that. Now at this printing Hill made up sixty-five points and now he's fifty points behind Pettyjohn. The season's far from over, but its good to have a close battle like this among teams. Rick Whaley in the Rick Whaley Concrete and Construction, B & G Drywall, and Delmarva Concrete sponsored numbered four Rocket, took his first victory for 2004 and second career win. Whaley said, “The car was perfect all night, best it has felt all year.” This past Saturday night Whaley's teammate, Mark Byram won his third feature of the season.
Last Saturday had another first time winner for 2004 and a career first for Kerry King of Delmar, DE, in the K & B Auto Sales, Lingo Marine, and D. A. D. Farms sponsored Street Modified Feature. Just a couple weeks ago, King and his crew, Mom, Pop, Steve, J. P. Rhonda, Amanda, Matt, Kyle, took the car to the shop between heats and before the feature started to pulled out and replaced the motor. King made it back just in time as the cars took to the track. King reported, “They all worked so hard when we had to put that motor in, this just feels real good.” King seemed hooked up all night as he also won his heat race. All the features have had exciting battling going on each weekend. Come on out to see for your self, don’t be afraid to play in the dirt, you won’t be sorry. King's car was still hooked up and he claimed his second in a row win in the Street Modified feature. Points leader Mark Williams was involved in a crash and was a little dazed, plus a shoulder injury. It was not known at this writing if he dislocated his shoulder or more of a drastic move and broke it.
Tom Curtis leads in the "new" AC Delco TSS Modified class. I keep talking to the drivers of this class and always find something of interest to pass along. This class has made it more of a level playing field with the GM Crate sealed motor as I have discussed before. This week my sources told me that compared to a big block motor modified car, you can't rely on the horse power to get you out of a situation if needed. That power sometimes helps when you use it to control the car maybe just going in a turn, and the way you get out of the turn or other circumstances. Now with the new class, it really puts a good test on your driving skills. The driver has to apply his skills more and just relies on that sharpness over horsepower. All the drivers currently in this class seem to be pleased with everything about the cars. The number of drivers rather from go-Kart, big block or even Modified Lite, all like this class. I also heard Ron Wilson, a very winning Little Lincoln driver will have a TSS Modified at the track possibly this coming weekend. Also a note of interest, the first winner was the first repeat winner of Dave Betts Jr., the second winner was the second repeat winner of Mark West, the third winner was the third repeat winner of Tom Curtis, and just this last weekend the fourth winner and fourth repeat winner was Jack Mullins; that's just wild.
The U. S. 13 Dragway has just switched over to Friday night action, but unfortunately was cancelled on the first Friday night by Mother Nature this past Friday night. But look for the action back this week with “double ET points” up for grabs. Last Friday was to be the third “Bad 8” schedule, so at this time I do not know how or if it will be made up.
Coming events for the Dragway are July 2 with Danny O’Day Wheel Stander, Bad “8” full body and open Wheel. Also on July 16, 17, 18 the Dragway will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Delaware 1ST State Championships with “Super Charged Warriors” & Bad 8, Open Wheel, & Full Body Action on Friday, “Pro Mods” and Outlaw Street, Street Legal Racing on Saturday all under the lights, and “NHRA Sportsman” with NHRA Eliminations on Sunday. For more on this event contact the race office at 302.875.1911. Note the speedway will be closed on July 17 for the Lucas Oil NHRA, and racing resuming on Wednesday, July 21 with the WoOLMS and Saturday, July 24.
Back to the speedway, the URC Sprints will be back in town this Saturday June 26. Don’t miss all that action on the fastest half mile clay circle in Delaware. Gates open 4:30 PM, cars take to the track before 7:00 PM. Also on June 26, the U. S. 13 Kart Club will have their third Briggs Delaware State Dirt Series Kart event. Gates open at 7:00 AM, practice starts 9:30 AM. For more information on the Kart Club and events check my site www.redbud69racing.com under U. S. 13 Kart Club, or contact Richard Pearson at 302.349.5169. See ya at the track!
Bonnie Nibblett