Young Drivers Continue To Grow A

Dylan Evans # 80 14 yr old crate model diver

Young Drivers Continue To Grow And Impress Everyone

October 21, 2010

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..In 2004, Track Owner/Promoter Charlie Cathell introduced a new class which consisted of an exclusive GM sealed motor, a small block specialty GM spec engine No. PN88958602. The crate motor class titled TSS (Technician Service Specialist) Modified was sponsored by AC Delco. This style of car mocked the body of the big block Modifieds. Since that time the class has grown each year with more drivers behind the wheel all the time and advantages for all ages in racing.

In 2006, the crate model was introduced with the exact spec of engine with the look of the structure of late model bodies or the former street modified body. This class has shot up in car counts since it began as well to a full field each week.

The amount of drivers fielding the sealed crate form of racing has helped many young drivers to advance more quickly into this car that’s the same body type as the main event classes. Most Drivers, but not all have raced in another variety of racing being either go-karts, micro sprints, BMX, and the modified lite, or some nothing. This is how the class has grown so much with an opportunity to start right in the crate classes from any other kind of racing.

The amount of new fresh young drivers has been outstanding and very impressive every season. One of the main advantages has allowed more young drivers to start with this crate motor class sooner than one may have been before the two classes were introduced. Another advantage is the age limit. Drivers only have to be 14 years old and older be allowed to race, which covers a lot of ground for the young drivers wanting to step up.

Since the start of the two divisions the number of new drivers has grown all the time. This year there were a number of new drivers that raced and will be ones to watch for in next year. Some of those drivers to watch for include a few of the drivers below.

Dylan Evans # 80, 14 yrs old, attends Sussex Central High School and moved into the crate model in 2010. Evans stated that he was 10 years old when he started in Mod Lites. He raced a few years in the mod lite division at Winternationals in FL. and Middleford Speedway. Before that, Evans started to race at 6 years old as a go-kart driver. Evans remarked he loves racing so much. That this year in his first year in crates was a lot of fun racing and enjoyed the opportunity to run against older drivers. Evans wants to get 1 win next season at least and just stay consistent with top 5’s & 10’s. Evans was awarded Redbud69racing Rookie of the Year in the Crate Model class by finishing highest in points for new driver in his class. Evans finished 12^th in DIS track points.

Second generation driver Robbie Emory # 9E, 14 years old and attends Sussex Tech and started in go-karts at 5 yrs. old. To a credit of 7 championships, and more than 150 wins in karts, Emory says it was time to step away from karts. John Emory, (Robbie’s dad) used to race Late Models, and Robbie runs in the crate model class. When Emory was asked how hard it was to go into the class? He commented “It was a challenge going right from karts to the crate class. I had to learn about the suspension and get a feel for the change. It took a little while.” “I love it though, and I hope to stay in this class a few years or until I am 18. . My goal is get at least one win next year and later on a championship maybe.” Emory stated, he loves racing and it is a test, but it keeps him out of trouble and he especially loves spending time with his family. I look forward to it.” Emory finished 16^th in DIS track points his first year.

Matt Glanden # 9MG, 14 yr old student of Colonel Richardson High School began the year in Mod Lites with only 5 entries before he changed to the crate model division. Glanden started right out of the box in ¼ midgets at 7 to 9 yrs old. At 10 he raced 270cc micros & mini cup, and then went to Mod Lites. Glanden implied it was a little hard at first going into the full size car, but loved it very much. Glanden did not run all of the races in the crate with his changing of the classes, but he finished 22^nd in track points. Glanden plans to start the new season in the crate class and maybe going into the super late model in the season or next year.

The AC Delco Modified class had a few new young drivers to compete this season.

Scott Hitchens, # 15, was 17 yrs old in the season. Hitchens is not exactly new to racing as he has been driving some form of racing since he was 8 yrs. old. But this was his first year at Delmar. Hitchens ran go-karts 4 years then ran an Aarons Pro Challenge asphalt late model with a limited amount of races in that class that run in a season. Hitchens also said he droved Legends and Mod Lites a few years. Hitchens father drove Thunder cars at Georgetown Speedway a while back. Hitchens remarked, “I liked having a full field of cars each week. It is just so much fun racing this class and I plan to race in this class a few years. Unless an opportunity comes along to drive asphalt trucks or any asphalt.” Hitchens finished 13^th in track points and was awarded Redbud69racing.com Rookie of the Year in the AC Delco TSS Modified by scoring highest in points as new driver at Delmar. Hitchens would like to thank all his sponsors for all the help in order to race.

Scott Hitchens 17 yrs old AC Delco Modified

Taylor McCracken was 17 at the start of the season and turned 18 years old in June. McCracken of Newark, DE attends the University of Delaware, and has been racing since he was 8 yrs. old in ¼ Midgets. At 15 yrs old he moved in the Mod Lite class running it until this past season and collected a championship in mod lites at Middleford Speedway. This season was his first year in the # 9 AC Delco Modified. McCracken said he loved driving the bigger car this year and really enjoyed the change. He plans to keep racing in this class for now.

Trent Willey, 14 year old Cape Henlopen High School student has run in the Modified Lite division the last three years. This year was the first to run at Delmar and plans to change to the AC Delco Modified class next season. Willey did not run a full year but said “It was exciting to race on the big track here at Delmar, its fast. I’ve been in the mod lites long enough. I look forward to the change.” Willey started racing at 5 yrs old in go-karts, accumulating over 30 wins. Willey’s father, Steve ran in karts along with a couple of uncles. Willey said, “I hope to get a win next year and will stay in this class for a while. I love racing and being able to spend time with my family.”

TSS Mod driver Ryan Anderson is a 3^rd generation driver of his grandfather Andy & Bones his father. Anderson only started racing 3 years ago in motocross. Anderson is not one of the teenagers in this class but he is an Marine Corp Iraq war veteran. Anderson has improved each week and hopes to get his first win this weekend or next year. Anderson finished 14^th in track points and just one point behind Hitchens. Anderson will be a contender to watch in the coming season.

With the intentions to hopefully allow more drivers the ability to afford racing in a crate seems to be working just fine. It has worked with an increased number of drivers every year. The first race of the season in 2004 had 12 cars entered, by the last race of the year there were 19 cars to race. Since that time the field has only grown to every week with a full field of cars. The 24 car allotment to run in a feature every week had numerous occasions more than the 24 cars resulting in consi for the over the limit cars to man the field.

The Crate Model every year has had the field gets larger with new, young drivers. The hopes of more drivers affording to run in these two secondary minor divisions has been a great stepping stone for any drivers to prepare them or given the chance to race in the two main divisions Big Block Modified and Super Late Model if so desires or can afford.

A few of last years young drivers made a great show of promise to be talented drivers to develop and be fun to watch competing with the big dogs. Amanda Whaley # 44, 15 yrs old moved into the super late model from the crate this year. She finished 9^th in track points, and was the recipient of the Redbud69racing Rookie of the Year in Super Late Model. Another driver that made an impression in this class was Andrew Mullins # 51. Although, he did not run a full season, he was a notable driver to watch.

A few of the young drivers from last year, showed promise for the future. Tyler Reed # 44 won the crate model championship in just his 2^nd year racing in this class. Clint Chalabala, # 24, finished 4^th in DIS track points in just his 2^nd year.

Two Mod lite drivers rather young made a honorable mention in their show of racing this year were Ray Gulliver # 3D, and Kerry King, Jr. #KB1. Gulliver was the recipient of the Rookie of the Year in Mod Lites presented by Redbud69racing.com

One other note of interest is that a lot of these young guys have been running against one another in karts or some other racing form. They all agree that it is fun having drivers you have raced before. That you don’t feel alone with the step up in racing classes and can talk to one another for input.

The award Redbud69racing.com Rookie of the Year is not associated with the DIS track. It is an award presented from the Redbud69racing.com to the highest in points as a new racer in all of regular five classes that run at Delmar. The 8x10 plague has been sponsored by John Theofiles, of AutoWorld in Salisbury since 2004. For all your Delaware news visit redbud69racing.com, Your Delaware and Surrounding tracks race news plus NASCAR, and also home of the largest message board on the shore. See you at the track!

Matt Glanden # 9MG is 14 yrs old