December 24, 2008

By Bonnie Nibblett

 The Delaware Motorsports Complex is quiet for now, but that will all change when the tracks open back up in 2009.  The season made a jolly time for all those local race fans this past year.  Of course, if it wasn’t for all the talented drivers with their crews that compete each week, put on a thrilling show around the tracks, we wouldn’t have such exceptional racing every week. 

This past season wasn’t any disappointment for fans.  Each Saturday on the clay oval, Fridays & Sunday’s the straight quarter mile and finally the circle track racing at the go-kart track all made for a fantastic season.  We are so very, very lucky to have three styles of racing on one property.   

The sport is getting more popular all the time and new fans coming on board in both NASCAR, and clay racing.  Series like the World of Outlaws, MACS, along with many other racing series finally are getting a bit more noticed for new and regular fans; although sponsorship is an issue for many teams.  Teams traveling (Series) to a good number of various tracks all season, including my home track Delaware International Speedway  when the WoOLMS visit and NASCAR at Dover sure is amazing.  To have it so close to our area is a big benefit.  Look for more updates on the 2009 season and any series that will come to the tracks coming later in the New Year.    

The Local Champion racers will be honored in Dover, DE on January 9 & 10, 2009 with monies, prizes and awards.  The season had a lot of close battling in points this year to the very end.  A big congratulation to all the champions and teams for such hot racing action all year. 

 The champions for all three tracks are named with the top five in most divisions.

 A season of playing in the clay will honor these champions.  NAPA Big Block Modified Champion is Jamie Mills in the Coulbourne Racing # 30, second HJ Bunting III Milford, DE, Ricky Johnson Delmar, DE, Tim Millman Milton, DE, and Matt Jester Lincoln, DE.

 Super Late Model champion is Ray Davis, Jr. earned his first championship in the red # 84.  Davis, Jr. only won 1 race all year but consistent with finishes.  Second place  Redbud69racing.com Rookie of the Year in Super Late Model Jon Callaway Harrington, DE in the Gary Simpson # 12K  only lacked behind by 15 pts.  Rick Whaley Millsboro, DE third, Millsboro, DE, David Hill Trappe, MD, and young Rookie Staci Warrington Milton, DE finished 5^th.

 The AC Delco Modified champion is one who has hung in there and took the title in just his second full year in the modified.  Michael White of Laurel, DE, took his 2007 TEO Pro Car to the very top this season.  The J & M Roofing & Builders # 85M proved to be one of the top favorites all year racing steadily each week.  White had 4 wins, 13 top 5’s, 2 top 10’s and only 2 races out of the top ten.  Second was

Joseph Tracy Millsboro, DE just 50 points apart, Tim Trimble Easton, MD, Brad Trice Parsonsburg, MD, John Curtis Harrington, DE.  Those top five drivers raced every weekend and finished almost every race in the top five. 

 In the Crate Late Model Joe Warren Georgetown, DE would go on to claim his second championship in only his third year.  Next, Herb Tunis Georgetown, DE, Barry Beauchamp Salisbury, MD, Kelly Putz Georgetown, DE, Mike Wilson Salisbury, MD. 

The Modified Lite division had a new winner for 2008 with Brandon Dennis Harrington, DE, Rick Wheately Seaford, DE, Curt Miles Jr. Saxis Isl., VA, Kirk Miles Saxis Isl., VA, Timmy White Salisbury, MD.  Third and fourth place had a Father and Son racing against one another. 

 The US 13 Dragway had a three way tie in points for the first place in Super Pro among Danny Bastianelli of Georgetown, DE, David Tucker of Ellendale, DE and Steve Drummond with 670 points, Bobby Insley Crisfield, MD 650, and Billy Groton Seaford, DE 640 rounds out the top five.  How does that work with 3 equal ties of drivers?   

In Pro, Jim Williams of Seaford, DE; Jay Windsor of Felton, DE, Phillip Truitt Parsonsburg, MD, Ryan Groton Salisbury, MD, Jesse Truitt Parsonsburg, MD, Roger Ridgeway Jr. Dover, DE.  In Pro Bike Crystal Hudson of Millsboro, James Farmer Felton, DE, Charles Nock Frankford, DE, Sean Tilghman Ridgley, MD, Chris Waters Denton, MD.  In Street Eliminator (second consecutive championship), Shelby Bireley of Salisbury, MD, Doug Sylvester Laurel, DE, Gordon Penderson Milford, DE, Jessica Haas Millsboro, DE, Billy McLamb Delmar, MD.  Jr. Dragster 1 Tyler Doak of Parsonsburg, Paul Riddle Jr. Millsboro, DE, Brandon Layfield Berlin, MD, Christian Walston Crisfield, MD, Cortney Cathell Laurel, DE.  In Jr. Dragster 2 Tyler Doak Parsonsburg, MD, Susan Lecates Salisbury, MD, Beckie Bireley Salisbury, MD, Ashley Parsons Delmar, DE, and Trevor Post Delmar, DE.  In High School Greg Olenik Dover, DE, Dillon Hall Dagsboro, DE, Freddie Thibault Millsboro, DE, John Tall Hoopersville, MD, Marshall Fowler Ocean City, MD.