Racing Action Is Not Over Until The Checkered Waves At The Flag Stand

July 31, 2008

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..This weekend will be filled with another weekend of racing at the Delaware Motorsports Complex for all to enjoy.  At the clay circle track the mighty URC (United Racing Club) Sprints return for a night of wing sprints in action racing.  Along with the regular line up every Saturday night, NAPA Big Block Modified, Super Late Model, both crate classes, and the Modified Lite division. 

Friday, the U. S. Dragway will host another Summit E.T. Point Series with “Double Points” at stake.  Gates open at 3:30 PM, time runs starting at 4:30 PM and eliminations at 8 PM.  Bobby Insley, Crisfield, MD is the current leader in Super Pro, with Billy Groton, Seaford, DE only 10 points behind.  Pro leader is Jim Williams, Seaford, DE with Phillip Truitt, Parsonsburg, MD on behind with 20 points.  Check out the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com for a complete run down or call the hot line for happenings at 302-846-3968.

The ½ mile dirt oval Delaware International Speedway has had a busy month in July with the Camp Barnes Benefit Races on July 10, and the make-up races from a rainout June 14 combined in the regular night of racing action each week. 

The top five finished results for 23rd Camp Barnes in each class goes like this: 

• NAPA Big Block Modified - H J Bunting III 91, Wade Hendrickson 85, Rick Laubach 14, Matt Jester 62, and Richie Pratt, Jr. 28.  Fastest time by Bunting 19.492 seconds and 92.346 MPH
• Super Late Model - Ricky Elliott 45, Roland Mann 55, Jon Callaway 12K, Norman Short, Jr. 8, Austin Hubbard 11A  Fastest time by Rookie Callaway
• 19.297 seconds and 93.279 MPH Jarvis led but had right rear tire blow just after the half way.
• 12 Lap Shoot out winner - Rick Laubach 14 in a Modified.  Norman Short, Jr. was the only late model in the last 5 laps. 
• AC Delco Modified - Brad Trice 57, Michael White 85M, Tim Trimble 21, John Curtis 17, Brandon Perdue 65.
• Crate Late Model - Herb Tunis 5M, Kelly Putz 59, Eric Vent 86, Joe Warren 11, Travis Justice 23.
• Modified Lite - Tim White 93, Curt Miles, Jr. 21JR, Rick Wheatley 14, Jimmy Wills 22W, Kirk Miles 21
• Little Lincoln - Bill Brittingham 4, Jamie Wagner 3, Mel Joseph, Jr. 49, Jeff Wheatley 14A, Pat McNeal 00
• Delaware Vintage Club - Morris Tucker 8, Mel Joseph, Jr. 11, C J Schirmer
• 23W, Dave Schamp 24, Sonny Ritter 28

Thanks to everyone that made the benefit a success and all the support through the years. 

Saturday night racing has had some wild finishes and close side by side racing this month in all the classes.  On July 5, a make up race from June 14, rookie late model driver Jon Callaway earns his first career late model win.  At the Camp Barnes late model race Jarvis looked to be the winner, but a couple laps after the halfway sign the right rear tire burst apart in turn 4 ending his chances. 

Just the week before, in a special Elk Mooneyham memorial event the 30 lap late model had a total upset of a finish?  In late model action again, Ricky “Rocket” Elliott started in 12^th position with Bob Geiger starting on the pole.  By lap 5 Hal Browning had the lead and a good distance away from the pack.  On lap 9 Elliott was in 6^th, and at halfway he started working the high line with style and grace but most important gaining positions like a spinning top; everyone else started to work the high side now.  Lap 16 he is 3^rd, lap 17 in 2^nd and takes the lead.  The top 5 were Elliott, Mark Pettyjohn, David Pettyjohn, Jarvis, and Ray Davis, Jr.  Next caution flew lap 23 when Rick Whaley slowed in turn 4, lap 24 Jarvis slowed as well. 

On lap 25, M. Pettyjohn got too big of a run on the top side crest in turn 3 and losing precious positions, another caution waved on lap 29 so it was a one lap shoot out.  On the restart it was Elliott, D. Pettyjohn, Davis, with M. Pettyjohn taking a big risk do or die move.  Pettyjohn goes for it in turn 1, to try to pass Elliott, only winding up getting too wide and  got around in his attempt to shoot to the win in turn 2. 

Once again a restart was a one lap shoot out.  Now Davis in 2^nd, Callaway, Browning and M. Pettyjohn top 5.  We all know the winner looks to be Elliott.  The green waved for the one lap restart with Elliott pulling away, in turn 3.  Elliott on the high side gets too high and slides over the crest in turn 4.  Davis is right there for the taking and that’s exactly what he did.  Davis tight in turn 4 corner shoots to the lead while Elliott regroups and finishes 2^nd.  A total unexpected turn of the event in that feature, he had the win in the bag.  It’s not over until the very last second to the checkered flag.

There’s no time to get all the action that happens every Saturday night in this article.  But, there have been many races in all features with tight action up to the very last second to the flag; this is just a small example. 

Check out the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com for a complete run down or call the hot line for happenings at 302-846-3968.  Any questions call the office at 302-875-1911.  For all your Delaware tracks news visit www.redbud69racing.com or the largest message board on the shore at http://redbud69racing.proboards2.com/index.cgi that is powered by A1 Graphic and Lettering of Georgetown, and Hab Nab Trucking of Seaford, DE.  See you at the track.