Mother Nature Sneaks In At The Last Minute In Delaware
June 5, 2004
Delmar, DE .....Just after the gates opened tonight, a big darkening, black cloud began to set over the track. The threat of rain was in the forecast all day, but we seemed to be lucky as no rain had fallen since early of the morning. I had looked at the radar on and off all day and the green shadow was to the west and north of us. The Delmar area appeared to have been just far enough east of the precipitation marks. Dover began the BUSCH feature, and was in rain delay for over four hours before they called it to run on Monday. Delmar had escaped the drops all day, until this cloud all of a sudden eased just over the track, literally.
I walked out the door, and rain drops were just starting to fall sparingly as I drove to the track, and mind you, that takes all of less than ten minutes. I had left home a little later than I had anticipated as it was. It was now 5:45 PM and I was at the track with the drops becoming more than a light drizzle. Just after I got out of the car, the rain continued to increase as I was walking in the pits. I had something to take to the pit tower and headed that way. It was not two minutes there when the cloud just opened up to a very light, but heavy and steady rain and the races were called. The track was lost and it would take too long to get it back along with all the water beginning to stand in puddles.
What a shame, I thought we were maybe going to get one in on Mother Nature. We have been lucky this season so far by not having a rain out so far. I have been afraid to mention it, for fear I might cough it up sort to speak. Many drivers from other tracks had made the ride down to the track tonight. I didn't even get to see who all was here before the bottom dropped. I understand some Grandview, and Bridgeport drivers made the ride. I hate it when this happens, it is bad enough to anticipate the excitement of a night of racing and think it is going to happen to only be shut down after the cars arrive. The cost of gas now a day makes an expensive ride to be rained out for everyone. I felt bad for all of them, and then the thought of knowing my NEED FOR SPEED would not be fed tonight. That's the first of the season, and I hope the last. One time last year the same thing happened when the Diamond State race was to happen, everyone was here and the bottom dropped out. So I made my way off the track grounds.
When I left the track, I headed into Salisbury, about seven miles south to grab something to eat since I was out anyway. The closer I got I could tell they had had some rain, but the sky was so much lighter as I exited toward town. I looked in my rear view and it was all a dark, and the sky going south had this look of brightness as I came out of the cloud. When I returned driving north, I drove right back into this dark cloud. It was really weird. Now what to do? Now that my addiction was not going to be fed, I could only think of doing one of my other favorite things I love to do, but we won't go there.
Anyway, join me next week in Delmar for a regular show and the Little Lincolns. Come see if H. J. Bunting will continue his winning luck or win Craig Mullins get his first win for 2004? Come see who will be the next AC Delco TSS Modified winner? Will Mark Williams continue to dominate the Street Modifieds and Erik McKinney; will he win another Modified Lite feature?
Current points leaders are H. J. Bunting III in the big block Modifieds, David Hill and David Pettyjohn are tied right now in the Late Models. Tom Curtis, Mark Williams, and Erik McKinney all lead in the TSS Modified, Streets, and Modified Lites. The URC Sprints were to make their third appearance at DIS tonight as well where Curt Michael leads in points. The URC Sprint will return to DIS on June 26, 2004.
The U. S. 13 Kart was rained out last night as well after everyone got there. So maybe I will take a road trip and go Tuesday to Bridgeport. I know I will see Dover tomorrow on TV, but I need the fumes and sounds to be satisfied. See you at the track!
Bonnie Nibblett