Darrell Lanigan time trial and just before going on track Photo by Bonnie Nibblett
Racing Action Just Keeps Getting Hotter
June 26, 2008
By Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE…..The summer is really flying by fast. Seems it took forever to get here and it is already the end of June. The racing action on the half mile oval speedway, (Delaware International Speedway) at the Delaware Motorsports Complex has not only been hot but also making history and putting records in the books. That’s right; two records have been set this year.
On May 29, 2008 the World of Outlaws Late Model Series show had some of the best late model drivers in the nation appear. The winner Darrell Lanigan of Union KY, in the no. 29 and known as the “Bluegrass Bandit” took home the win in “First State Fifty.” It was his second win at DIS out of four events that the WoOLMS has featured at DIS. Not only was it his second win but it also tied him in points at the time with the tours leader Steve Francis, currently as of June 17, Lanigan is only six points behind.
One of the most amazing events was due to the WoOLMS fifty laps feature without one caution, a first for Delmar! The total time of the race was a blazing 17 minutes, 39.962 seconds for 50 laps. The top five drivers were Darnell Lanigan 29, Shannon Babb 18, Steve Francis 19, Ricky Elliott 45, and Tim McCreadie 39. Babb made every attempt for the win but Lanigan had all the power. Babbs team owner NASCAR Clint Bowyer even made it to cheer on his team. Bowyer remarked, “I love dirt track racing!” Bowyer added that he didn’t even know this track was here; but very much liked it for sure.
There were 39 cars for the 25 positions available, four heats were made with 4 out of each heat, 2 B-mains with 3 cars taken, and 2 provisionals used and NASCAR favorite Dave Blaney added as the last position. Elliott was on the point but drifted back as he admitted he had missed the set up with his tires a bit costing him the win.
The WoOLMS always put on a great event, if you hear of them back in town don’t miss seeing these pros. Elliott had the fastest time in heats with 18.387 seconds and 97.895 MPH. For complete results on the event held visit the www.Redbud69racing.com web.
The Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club was the pre-race entertainment which never lets the crowd down. Pat McNeal in the double # 00 started on the point. When the green waved Jamie Wagner # 3 moved from fourth starting position to second. Wagner now set his sights on leader McNeal. On lap two McNeal and Wagner drag race down the back stretch, Wagner gets a good run and passes McNeal in turns three & four to be the new leader. Wagner then pulls away from the field.
By lap four Bill Brittingham # 4, had moved into the fourth position after starting seventh. At half-way Brittingham works to get by Tony Daisey # 7 to take third on lap six with Donald Robinson, Jr. # 64 coming along to take fourth from Daisey.
At half way Wagner leads, McNeal, Brittingham, Robinson, and Daisey were the top five. On lap nine Chris Loveland # 2 gets around in turn four. Wagner had no time to react hitting the left quarter panel and driver door area of Loveland hard. Somehow Wagner still leading was able to continue on and with the big lead continued to lead back to the flag stand as the yellow flew.
A caution would wave and a one lap shoot out would finish the feature. It was all or nothing for Wagner in hopes his car would not fail before the last lap, it didn't somehow and he took his first win for 2008. The top five were Wagner, McNeal, Brittingham, Robinson, and Mel Joseph, Jr. in the # 49. The remaining field was John Stevenson # 14, Tony Daisey # 7, Duke Walsen # 9, Richard Zack # 14, Mark Cashdan # 8, Steve Baker* # 79, Emory West # 7X and Chris Loveland* # 2.
The other history making event was on June 7, 2008, when the first female to ever win a Super Late Model feature transpired and she was a rookie at Delmar. Seventeen year old Staci Warrington, of Milton, DE earned her first late model career win holding off a former champion Richard Jarvis, Jr.
2007 Warrington was in the crate late model class after driving outlaw go-karts for a while. Warrington not only a female but she’s only around 5 ft. tall and maybe 100 lbs. Last year, she did well in that division and received the 2007 Redbud69racing .com Top Youngest Driver in the Crate Late Model Division in points at Georgetown Speedway. This year she decided to step it up and move up to the super late model class. Veteran Lou Johnson has taken Warrington under his wing and advising her.
Warrington won her heat and started the 20 lap feature on the pole. But Warrington showed she deserved all she captured that night. She had a big lead, until a caution on lap 15. When the feature was restarted Warrington had to hold off Jarvis, he was on her bumper. Jarvis went to the inside, outside, but Warrington had all her bases covered so he could not pass her. Another yellow and it was a two lap shoot out on the restart. The crowd was on their feet cheering her on and a standing ovation from the crowd when she won. It was a hell of a race; she made all racers proud, but a little extra bonus was just being a girl!
Warrington currently stands 8th in points at DIS. There are a few rookies in the late model class this year. Kevin Scott, Jr. 12, and Jon Callaway 12K, with all three in the top ten in points. Warrington made an attempt to qualify for the outlaw show had her air filter not come off in the B-main she may have been the first female to compete in a WoOLMS show. The officials of the WoOLMS gave her a standing ovation and have invited Warrington to race next year when they return.
Weekend racing resumes this Saturday 28th when the mighty fast URC Sprints return to show case along with the regular Saturday nightly divisions.
The next big event for DIS will be the 36th Annual Camp Barnes Benefit. This benefit is put on by the Delaware State Police and Camp Barnes, Inc. to help upcoming youths attend the very unique camp. The benefit will be on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 with all proceeds going to the camp; rain date if needed will be July 10. For more information contact Det. Preston Lewis 302-856-5860 ext 301.
The benefit draws some big name drivers from big block modified and super late model divisions. Also you can contact the track office for any questions at 302-875-1911 or check out the web at www.delawareracing.com track hot line 302-846-3968.
The US 13 Dragway has switched to Friday night action now. Gates opening at 3:30 PM and time runs at 4:30 PM. Eliminations will start at approximately 8 PM.
The US 13 Kart Club Track has been busy with racing action on Friday nights. This week gates open at 5 PM, practice stats at 7 PM. Saturday, July 11 with be the 4th (DDDS) Delaware State Dirt Divisional Series of the year. Visit the tracks web at www.dekarting.net or the hot line at 302-846-2646.
If you’re a race fan you don’t want to miss out on all the action at the Delaware Motorsports Complex every weekend. There’s plenty of action to always feed your NEED FOR SPEED. For all your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News visit www.redbud69racing.com and the largest racing Message Board on the shore at http://redbud69racing.proboards2.com/index.cgi powered by A-1 Graphic Lettering of Georgetown, and Hab-Nab Trucking of Seaford, DE. Get your Redbud69racing T-shirt available now for $10 & $12. See you at the track!
Staci Warrington made history on June 7, being the first female to Little Lincoln Feature leader Jamie Wagner with no where to
win a super late model feature Photo by Bonnie Nibblett go and somehow manages to win but still gets the win
Photo by Lee Smith