Up close with NAPA Big Block Modifieds at the Delaware International Speedway
Racing Gets Under Way For The 2010 Season
April 29. 2010
By Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE…..With just 2 races in for the ½ mile clay track, it sure looks to be an exciting season. (At this writing only 2 races have finished and last weekend make 3, but the weather looks ify so to be safe we’ll talk about the two so far?) The season opened on Saturday night, April 10 with the 5 weekly divisions. April 17, he URC made their first race of the season.
The action at the oval started just like the drivers had been running all winter, fast, slideways, side by side, rubbin, and fender to fender. The Big Block NAPA Modified 25 lap feature had both weekends with at least 19-20 cars in the field. Jordon Watson 1J, took the first win of the season and then Jamie Mills took the win the following weekend. Each nights racing had some close racing to the end of the feature. Beau Wilkins returned this year after working in NC the last 2 years. He has teamed up with Mills to run the season with his Father retired Bobby Wilkins working on the stock cars. Kenny Brightbill 55, has made Delmar his home track this year, and he is has quite a bit of following of fans. Michael White 43 has left the crate mod race car to upgrade and try his hand in the big blocks this year. Jeff Brown had Billy Collingsworth in the back up car for Brown. Collingsworth was the 2009 Animal Medium Champion at the US 13 Kart Club Track. Tim Trimble 21, Rookie of the Year for 2009 returned with his own car this year, as did Norman Short, Jr. 8M and Robert Dutton 888 revisited after running limited races in 2009.
Kenny Brightbill # 55 makes Delmar his home track for 2010 season driving for Keith Coulbourne
Super Late Model shows to be a barn burner with Donald Lingo, Jr. 55L took home the first race and David Pettyjohn the next week. Mark Byram is now driving the 45 Charles Jarvis owned late model. Rookies this year to watch are Andrew Mullins 51, Amanda Whaley 44. Other favorite drivers returned such as Bob Geiger 38, David Pettyjohn 80, David Hill 75, Ray Davis, Jr. 84 just to name a few. 2009 DIS Late Model Track Champion Richard Jarvis, Jr. is currently sitting out without a ride. Owner Steve Nutall said they may return for a few limited special races. So if you need a driver, wow, he’s one of the men to get the job done.
Late Model heat action
The URC Sprints visited on April 17 with Justin Colette picking up the first win for the Taylor & Messick Sprint Car Series.
The two Crate classes Modified & Late Modified have proved to still be a strong presence for new young drivers to upgrade from karts, micros or Mod Lites and others returning with an limited budget. These cars have been a big hit since they first started the divisions in 2004. They run a GM sealed motor and other equipment that try to keep the class alike or affordable. Joe Warren 11, the 2009 DIS Crate Late defending champion already has one win under his belt. Tyler Reed won on opening night. The late crates have a bunch of young drivers this year in the field. Dylan Evans 80, Robert Bragg 424, Tony Bowers 13, and Clay Tatman. Robbie Emory is suppose to join this class soon, but right now his Father has returned getting the car set. Evans & Emory former karters, with Evans also racing in the Jr. Mod Lite class.
The AC Delco Modified division had Joe Tracy 37J, and Matt Hawkins 38, already winners for the season. Tracy was strong from the start on season opener with the win and the next race he came in 2nd. Hawkins was 5th in the first race and then took the win on April 17. Hawkins was 2nd in his feature after starting 3rd, however actual winner Brandon Blades 65 was DQ due to having the wrong tire on in his car in post inspection. There were some new drivers to this class of Greg Taylor 11A, David Scarano 37D, Taylor McCracken 9, Ryan Anderson 27 and Scott Hitchens 15. McCracken drives the Mitchell’s Auto Body and Salvage for owner Greg Mitchell. Some of the returning favorite drivers were Tracy 37J, Kyle Fuller 68, Shawn Ward 14K, Westley Smith 98, Scott Baker 342 to just name a few.
Finally, the last of the 5 regular track divisions that run each week would be the Modified Lite. Brandon Dennis 10, the 2009 DIS track champion took the win on the opener night, and Kevin McKinney V75 won the last week. This class has a strong number of cars this year and some new drivers. Returning drivers Curt Miles, Jr. 21JR and Kirk Miles, Sr. 21, Tim White 16, Steve White 76, Shawn Weber 19 to name a few put on a god show each week.
The U. S. 13 Dragway continues to be strong every Sunday. Check the tracks hot line for the coming events at 302-846-3968. Or check the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com, join the track on Facebook now too. Any track questions call the office at 302-875-1911.
Be sure to check out www.redbud69racing.com Your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News Plus NASCAR for all your DE news. Visit the largest message board on the shore at http://redbud69racing.proboards2.com/index.cgi which is powered by Hab Nab Trucking of Seaford, DE.
The speedway is located on the Delaware Motorsports Complex just one mile north of the MD / DE state line, 50 minutes South of Dover, DE and 30 minutes west from the beaches on Sussex Hwy. The complex is also the home of the U S 13 Dragway quarter mile strip, with the U S 13 Kart Club Track just on the left before you enter the main grounds of Delaware International Speedway (DIS) or the complex. See you at the track!