June 27, 2005

Rick Eckert and Steve Francis toe to toe in 2004 WoOLMS Race at DIS

Photo by Don Marks

It’s Not Just Saturday Night Action Anymore, The World Of Outlaws Late Models Series Will Be Returning To Delaware

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..It’s Saturday night at the track, the features just finished, and the winners make their way to victory circle for pictures with crews and fans.  Then, to top a grand victory, you return to your pit, get out of the car.  There stands a young boy, not more than 10 years old with Dad, holding a Tony Stewart notepad, waiting for his favorite driver at Delmar to ask for an autograph.  The boy smiles with joy as the driver hands him back the notepad signed, for him and him only.

On any Saturday night this happens around this area or from state to state.  This is what makes this sport so special, fans.  What just took place is a future fan or maybe even a driver one day.  The fans get so much pleasure from seeing their favorite driver win anytime and being able to see him up close to even ask for the autograph makes racing one more reason to love.    

The Delaware Motorsports Complex in Delmar, DE gives way to a variety of Motorsports for all fans, be it Drag racing, Go-Karting, or the favorite half mile clay oval action on Saturday nights. 

The Delaware International Speedway just had the wicked fast URC Sprints visit last Saturday, along with the regular show held each Saturday night.   Where Brian Seidel picked up his first win, in the Mike Bostic owned no. 6 after the third appearance of URC Sprints this season to Delmar.   Other track winners were Stormin Norman Short in the home grown Short motor Mod no. 8 sponsored Race Tech, Century 21, MR Plumbing, Hair W/Flair, Boozer Septic & Excavating, Collier’s Trim Shop, and Carmean Group “Custom built homes” Modified. 

Kenny Pettyjohn picked up his first win at Delmar this year in the Warrior, Mark Benson Racing Engine, Bruno, ASI, Jim Warrington Super Late Model.  Pettyjohn is running a limited schedule this year but always a favorite with fans when he does race at Delmar.  Mike Wilson earned his 2^nd ever career win in the Street Modified Heritage’s Legacy Development, TEMCO Builders, The Family Attic, Knock Out Services no. 12. 

Jack Mullins, Jr. in the Skipjack’s, Bi-Rite Auto AC Delco TSS Modified no. 1 was awarded his 5^th win for the season so far.  Mullins has found a set up that works well for them as the crew chief states, we put a lot of hard work each night getting the car ready for each Saturday night race.  Also Jon Callaway in the Callaway Furniture, Bernie’s Junction, Lee’s Lawn Service, Fairview Farms, Wood Construction, Son’s American Legion, Toby’s Toys, and JD Sign Co. no. 95 Modified Lite won his 6^th feature for the year.  Callaway has worked hard to earn them and has enjoyed the smell of victory lane; too many is not an option for this team. 

The next big show on the calendar, and get your pencils out to mark this down, will be the World Of Outlaws Late Models Series at the half mile circuit on Wednesday night, July 6, 2005, rain date is set for the following night, Thursday, July 7.  This series started a tour last year to many tracks and a huge success it became to where even more dates are in the scheduled this year from all over top venues in dirt tracks with supreme Late Model racing.  Race teams and drivers chasing the 2005 championship of the World Of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model Series readily admit it’s a long season starting in February and lasting till late October. There are 43 scheduled events at 37 different race tracks in 22 states; and NASCAR drivers complain.  Last year the show at Delmar became one of the best seen on the ovals grooves. 

This year the show should be just as stimulating for that racing adrenalin rush.  The series is made up of 12 guys called the “Dirty Dozen”.  When the first group was put together last year no one knew what to expect when they started.  But not long after they began, the Stacker 2 World Of Outlaws Late Model Series being so successful with putting Late Model racing on its head, that this year has been all in waiting with anticipation to see them again.  The “Dirty Dozen” is made up this year of still 12 guys from some of the best late model series in the states. 

The 2005 Dirty Dozen consist of:

      # 0 Scott Bloomquist

      #1* Chub Frank

      # 9 Dan Schlieper

      #15 Steve Francis

      #17M Dale McDowell

      #21 Billy Moyer

      #23 John Blankenship

      #24 Rick Eckert

      #25 Shane Clanton

      #29 Darrell Lanigan

      #39 Tim McCreadie

      #44 Clint Smith

The show in Delmar will be the second event scheduled in July for the outlaws, before heading to other areas such as Hagerstown.  The current point’s leader as of this writing is Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR (No. 21 owned by Billy Moyer Racing).  Last years “Rookie of the Year” Tim McCreadie of Watertown, NY has had 2 feature wins and stands 8^th in points.  McCreadie juggled Modified racing first and then Late Model racing and seems to be doing pretty good in both, but is pretty much committed as on outlaw these days.  Last year’s winner and series Champion of Scott Bloomquist will go toe to toe to defend his title again. 

Local drivers will also be competing in the event to take a crack at racing with going up against some of the best late model drivers and the nice purse of $10,000.  Last year Kenny & David Pettyjohn, Mark Byram, Ricky “The Rocket” Elliott all made the show.  For the B-main there were 28 cars for only 6 positions available yet it was an awesome feature.  Then there’s a dash with the heat winners, before the A-main feature.  Last year, the action went a little like this. 

Scott Bloomquist, of Mooresburg, TN, rode in the second position at the drop of the green after starting third in his powered Custom Race Engine Ford, Bloomquist Chassis, Miller Bros. Coal, and Hawkeye Trucking sponsored number zero.  The third and final caution was on lap forty-two making it an eight lap shoot out.  Bloomquist was already breathing the fumes of the leader, Steve Francis, Mopar number fifteen.  Although it was the last fifteen laps or so, and the last few laps more so, that Bloomquist had gained even closer to Francis especially in the turns.  Bloomquist was just waiting and hoping that Francis might make any type of a mistake so he could cash in on it to make a move to gain the lead.  It was on lap forty-seven as Bloomquist and Francis were coming down the back stretch, and Francis was leading into turn three.  As Francis gets in turn four he slides up the track giving Bloomer almost enough space to get by. 

Francis stands on it and powers to stay out front, as the two continue to battle, in the turns Bloomer looked to be gaining, but Francis would pull if off to stay in command.  Now we're on the final lap coming down the backstretch with Francis barreling down into turn three.  Just as on lap forty-seven, Francis slides up the track to go up to the crest of turn four.  Bloomquist sees it and knows he has this shot to get out front.  Francis knows he slipped up, but he gives it all he had as the two roll door to door out of turn four to the checkered.  It was Bloomquist with a little over a tenth of a second to take the win.  From the pits stands I could not tell for sure which driver had won.  Boy That was a great race and I look for this years action to be as hot.

The shows tickets are on sale at the tracks office of General Admission for $26.00, Reserve is $30.00 and the Pits are $35.00. Contact the tracks office for any questions at 302.875.1911.  You don’t want to miss this event. 

Just a reminder the speedway will be closed from July 15-17 for the Lucas Oil Dragway Show.  But this Saturday you can come out for a regular night of race action to include the Little Lincoln class, as always a great crowd pleaser; also there will be a fireworks show.

Turning to the Dragway news, reminder that the strips action has turned to Friday nights now instead of Sunday’s.  Gates open at 3:30 PM.  This Friday, July 1, 2005 will be the 4^th Bad 8, plus a fireworks show.  The Lucas Oil Dragway Show starts on Friday the 15^th, with Bad 8 & Super Charge Warriors, Saturday, Top Sports, and Sunday, with eliminations.  Any questions contact the tracks office for more details. 

Also this Friday night the U. S. 13 Kart Club Track will have their regular night of racing scheduled.  Gate open at 5:00 PM, with registration at 5, and practice at 7 PM.  The point’s battle has been heating up with new winners each week. 

Also the U. S. 13 Kart Club would like to express their sincere prayers and thoughts to the Renfro family.  Glen and son Bryant were at a track in Ohio for a national race.  An accident occurred with fire and both suffer pretty severely from burns and are in the burn units in Ohio.  The track has dedicated collecting monies the next couple of weeks to help as the family has no insurance.  Also contribution or cards can be sent to:

Renfro Family Fund
C/O Westminster Union Bank
1631 North Main Street
Hampstead MD 21074
 
St. Vincent’s Burn Center
C/O Bryant Renfro Room 166
2213 Cherry Street
Toledo, OH 43608-2691      

For more updates on the Renfro’s can be found on the tracks web site at www.delawarekarting.net.

As always for all your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News visit www.redbud69racing.com.  For updates on any one of your favorite racing types at the Delaware Motorsports Complex either be it dragway or dirt racing visit the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com.  See you at the track!