How will young Danny Smack # 25 (Willards, MD) power his AC Delco Modified this season?

 

 

Warm Weather Days Temps The Racing Addicts Addictions For Speed

 

 

By Bonnie Nibblett

February 24, 2011

 

 

Delmar, DE….The Punxsutawney Phil, did not see his shadow on Ground Hog Day, back on Feb. 2, 2011.  According to the folklore tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks of winter.  If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an early spring.  Luckily Phil did not see his shadow this year opting for the hope of an early spring?  The warm days we have had this Feb. sure gets those racing addictions’ juices flowing.  The warm air is teasing us for the rumbling sound of NASCAR, and Florida Winternationals have all played a part to get the racing season going in our heads.  But I am sure winter temps aren’t finished yet, but the warm days do tend to spoil us.

The Delaware Motorsports Complex, home of the ¼ mile drag strip U. S. 13 Dragway, the ½ mile clay oval Delaware International Speedway has released the tentative 2011 racing schedules’.  The action this year looks to be a revving one.      

The Dragway has set the first “Test-n-Tune” for this Sunday providing Mother Nature cooperates?  Gates will open 11 AM, running 12-5 PM. The first point’s event is scheduled on April 3, 2011.  Providing the weather doesn’t interfere causing changes in the dates; so check the tracks new web site at www.delawareracing.com.  The next two dates March, 6 & 13 will be for two more “Test-n-Tune” weekends, and the first ET Brackets starts on Sunday, March 20.  The first “Bad 8” is set for Easter, April 24, 2011.  Call the tracks hot line by calling 302-846-3968 to the tracks action to be sure. 

 

Who will win opening night?  Who will move up from the crate divisions into the prime big blocks & super lates’ classes?  Who will return to the track?  Who will not be racing his year?  Who will the new young rookie drivers be this year in crates or the mod lites?  As we near closer to the season I hope to answer many of those questions?  So you need to get pumped up as the opening night will be here before you know it.  If you are new to racing or never really followed it, you really need to experience the whole process.  It’s exciting and way too hard, to even explain what you feel when watching racing.  You must live it!

 

The circle track will have the “Test-n-Tune” night on Saturday, April 2, and the season opener is the following Saturday night, April 9, 2011.  The schedule has several special races again this year to look forward too.  Just in April, the William J. Cathell Memorial Night is on the 23rd and then on the 30th it is the Kyle Dixon Memorial.  There’s one more distinctive memorial in June, the Elk Mooneyham Memorial which is a special event for all as well.  The track pays tribute to these fallen racers naming the night’s program in their honor and other ways to honor their tributes in racing.

 

The Rislone United Racing Club (URC) Sprints will kick off their 64th season April 9, Bridgeport Speedway, NJ.  The mighty URC Sprints make their first appearance to the Delaware International Speedway on April 16, 2011; then returning once a month for the rest of the season to include six more events and a total of 30 races currently scheduled for the URC Sprints this year.  Defending seven time URC Champion Curt Michael will be in the hunt for an eighth championship.  Michael enjoys racing at Delmar along with 2010 second place point’s driver J J Grasso.  Michael edged out Grasso by a mere 23 pts.  The two should be entertaining to watch this season.  Several other drivers will make their way to the fast Delmar ½ mile track.  Keep your eyes open for Daryn Pittman, he’s planning to race at DIS, Robbie Stillwagon, Dave Ely, Randy West, Eddie Wagner as well as many other favorites will appear this year.  You don’t want to be left out!

 

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series (WoOLMS) will appear May 12, this time.  A big crowd pleaser by all to watch, these exceptional racers is a true occasion.  The way those guys travel to so many tracks in a season and just hammer down & highside the track at record speeds is a sincere satisfaction in talent to see, too.  Look for the DIS drivers go up against the WoOLMS to show their skills battling wheel to wheel.  This year Josh Richards will be defending his 2010 title win at DIS.

How will local Austin Hubbard # 19 (Seaford) do in the WoOLMS this year?

 

The Camp Barnes Benefit is on Tuesday, July 12, 2011; it’s a crowd pleaser every year.  The Delaware State Troopers put on this event and it’s for such a good cause. The program is to provide a summer camp for young kids to learn social skills, positive attention and so much more.  This benefit is one of the main monetary ways to fund Camp Barnes.

 

Other special races scheduled this year will include the return of “Topless Night”, “Twin 20's” for both the big blocks & super lates, “All Out 100”, “King of Kings” just to let you in on some of this seasons action.  It’s sure a lot to look forward too.  Of course the Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club and the Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Car Club returns plus the Slide-for-5’s.  Each one of those racing events will be full of speedy fender to fender, and side by side racing.  All a must see!

 

Young James hill took home 5th place in the Modified Lite class, look for him to run even harder this year

So you can see how the season is shaping up for 2011.  Lots to see, lots of entertainment, standing on your feet racing action promises to be packed full for any fans or new comers to racing.  The local divers really know how to perform for the spectators’.  Let’s hope that Punxsutawney Phil got it right and an early spring is in the cards to get the racing season going.

 

The complex is in Delmar, DE just off Rt. 13, the south lane side of the highway.  Just before the Maryland & Delaware state line.  Be sure to visit the tracks new web site for a complete schedule of events to the dirt track & dragway; for any directions, or rules and etc. you can find at www.delawareracing.com or call the track hot line at 302-846-3968 or any track questions call the office at 302-875-1911 9-4 M-F.  Be sure to like us on Facebook, too.   

 

The US 13 Kart Club Track is also located on the grounds just to the left before entering the main grounds tracks. Their schedule has been posted on their web at www.dekarting.net, join Facebook too.  The schedule is jammed pack with exciting race events.  The first club race is scheduled for Friday, April 1, 2011; gates open 5 PM, racing 7 PM.  The first state race will be held for April 23, gates open 7 AM, racing at 9 AM.  The racing sure will be fun to see.  Check out the complete run down on the tracks web at dekarting.net.

 

The new season is just around the bend, and many can hardly wait.  To keep up with all the DIRT in Delaware check out www.redbud69racing.com, join Facebook there and a link to the largest racing message board on the shore at http://redbud69racing.proboards2.com/index.cgi.  So get ready to "Lets go racing".  See you at the Track!