A Little Bit Of Action, Gets My Juices Flowing
April 12, 2004
It’s Saturday night, and the Test-N-Tune night at the Delaware International Speedway, has just begun and this little bit of action gets my juices flowing. None of us can wait for the season of racing to get going as it is each year. This year is no different. Saturday night marked the much anticipated desire to hear those rumbling motors, the smell of a hot exhaust, and the quickness of cars speeding around that half-mile clay oval. The turn out was phenomenal, last year it rained and we never had a practice night. I don’t remember seeing so many cars for the test-n-tune night before. Maybe I was just so anxious too. It is just like a shot of adrenalin for me, and I don’t even drive a race car. I guess that is why I always have to feed my NEED FOR SPEED; it just has to be fed.
This season has already drawn a lot of attention with having a new class to introduce. The AC Delco TSS (Technician Service Specialist) Modified will be running at the Delmar speedway for the first time this season. This class has already peaked a lot of curiosity from the fans, drivers, and the officials. The cars will be running a GM crate sealed motor, and is suppose to be a more economical class to run. I think it may be, but there has been a little controversy with the fact that some parts cost more than expected. As with anything new, all things will have kinks to iron out, along with no one ever being satisfied no matter what. Hey, that is what makes the world go around. I will say this; several drivers that have not been driving recently are coming back this year in the new class and all the classes have new drivers so far for that matter. In the next coming weeks, I hope to touch on some of the rookies in all the different classes.
The field had a good many cars in the AC Delco TSS Modified showing up as expected. I could not even get around to all the drivers in that class or all the classes for that fact. A few of the drivers I had spoke to about the new class during the off season in one of my articles proved to be ready for the season to get going. Morris Tucker (28), Mark West (91), and Jeff Brown (9) are just a few I had already got the news on. But, Dale Hawkins (83), and Tom Curtis (57) former Modified Lites drivers had been rumored to be moving to this class. It is true; I spoke to both of them and saw them in their new TSS Modified hot rods. I had a very nice conversation with Donnie Dutton JR., who will new to this class in the number eight; see his driver profile under the Driver’s Page on my web. Dave Betts a new driver to me, will be in the number twenty-two-B and Jack Mullins Jr., (Craig Mullins Nephew) will be in the number one Gene’s Auto Sales TSS Modified. Jack has racing experience throughout his family as well has go-Karting and more. Finally, one driver returning that has not been here in the field for a while is Bobby Comstock Jr. Bobby will be in the number thirty-one, Mitchell’s Auto Salvage TSS Modified. Bobby won the 1991 and 1992 Delaware State Dirt Track Championships in the Econo-Modified.
Much to my surprise, one driver returning this year is Richard Jarvis Jr. Ricky for the last few years has been driving on asphalt and in VA. Ricky, drove in the Modified class at the age of sixteen, and showed much promise as a driver to be on the rise as a young gun. Ricky will be driving the number forty-seven, Bobby and Debbie Leath owned Late Model. So to see him in this class will be a little bit of a challenge, but I am sure he will not struggle once he gets the handle back on dirt. I am sure he will be a driver to keep an eye on, as with many of the drivers in the Late Models this year. Billy Daniels of Pasadena, MD will be in sporting the number nine-D this season. I hope to get more details from the drivers and crew as the season gets going.
Team Faison Racing has two drivers in the Modified Lite class with Andy Best in the number zero and Matt Jester in the zero-J. Mike White is new to the track and class and will be in the number twenty-one. You can read a little on Mike under the Driver’s Page on my web site. Brandon Dennis will be running in the number ten Mod Lite. One other driver in this class to keep an eye on is Mike Helgason, of Eldorado, MD. I am told Mike has several championships and wins under his belt in go-kart racing. I hope to have more information on Mike as the season gets underway. Emma’ Turn Four Driver Report will be conducting reports on drivers, if you want your driver to be interviewed contact Emma or myself.
In the Street Modified, 2003 Champion Mark Williams in the number twenty-six was right back on the accelerant trail to the front. East coast Rookie Steve Stamps took to the track with skills, and quickness, which will make for some good racing among those guys. Don't forget Jeff Patilla was in the flamed number forty-eight edging his way around the track as well. Looks like it will be a fun time in this class with more new comers such as Buddy Shockley, of Milford, DE will be in the number sixteen. Some of last years drivers of Chris Sockriter in his number twenty-eight had a sharp paint scheme, as well as Vic Thomas in the A-one.
In the Modified class, Glen Richards returned as he had just started to drive a Modified hot rod the last few races last year. From Harrington, DE, and a green driver will be Mark VanVorst in the number thirty-four. He looked good as well as all the drivers did.
There were so many more cars just for the practice; I can’t wait for this weekend. I have my work cut out for me to keep you updated on the fastest oval in DE. Let’s hope the crews and drivers keep me informed with all the dirt.
On Friday, April 9, I visited the Middleford Speedway, and saw my first Micro-Sprint on the track. I know it is hard to believe that I had not visited before or even seen these cars before. I liked the looks of them and the way the track has more of a banked in the turns. It was good to see the cars and put faces with the classes running since I will be carrying the results on my web site. I feel better knowing what car is what class and I lacked with some of those divisions there. Thanks to the speedway for the opportunity to visit.
This coming Saturday, April 17, the Delaware International Speedway will begin the thirty-ninth year of the tracks racing on the grounds. This weekend will have the Modifieds, Late Models, the “new” AC Delco Modified, the Street Modified, and the Modified Lites. Not many tracks offer all this fast fun at one complex. So come on out to support your local track, and see some of that hot, high-speed action with your family. April 24, the speedway will host the URC Sprints on the William J. Cathell Memorial night. The URC Sprints will make their first appearance of the year. Be sure to visit that night as well, for a really spectacular class of speed on the track. Gates open at 5:00 PM each weekend and cars take to the track at 7:00 PM. See you at the track!
Bonnie Nibblett