Who

Who’s Hot? Who’s Leading? Who’s Won?

Diamond State '50' 3 wide action Hill, King, Rushing Modified Lites lined up on pit road

photo by Don Marks photo by Bonnie Nibblett

August 22, 2005

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..The main stream of racing for 2005 has reached its peak and is nearing an end before we know it. The action at the Delaware Motorsports Complex will be winding down in a short few months and the bitter cold air creeps in before we realize it. Everyone will be hovering in the house, and working in their shops toward next years cars and attending shows to get the old adrenalin roaring. But right now you can’t slow down all the racing action going on in Delmar. Let’s take a look who is leading in points, how many first time winners or who has had all X-factors working for them.

The fastest half-mile clay oval in Delaware has had plenty of dirt action with really super drivers slinging dirt every Saturday night for the fans. August 10, the track held the annual Diamond State ‘50’ bringing invaders to challenge the local boys. “The Doctor” Danny Johnson of Rochester, NY returned to claim his second win in a row at Delaware International Speedway (DIS), as he also won the Modified feature on Camp Barnes night in June. The Diamond Sate ‘50’ Late Model winner had our local track driver David Hill of Trappe, MD, claiming his first win for the year. Both drivers picked up at least $3,000, but if they paid the gamblers they both would win either a cool $4,000 or $5,000, depending what they gambled with.

Johnson started in the pole at the drop of the green but before all the cars made it through turns 1 & 2, Dale Hawkins got around. On the restart DIS Track defending Champion Craig Mullins and Ricky “Rocket” Elliott swap paint in turns 1 & 2 and Mullins clips the left front wheel of Elliott and sending Elliott over on his roof by the back wall and the wheel coming completely off ending Elliott’s hope of any finish. Along came Scott Smith with no time to react and just clips Elliott. No injuries to any drivers but Smith’s night ended as well.

Next restart was a success, by lap 5 Johnson lead, Mullins, H. J. Bunting, Craig VonDohren, and Jimmy Horton the top 5. At halfway, Johnson still very much in control lead Bunting, Horton, Mullins and Beau Wilkins. The same 5 went to the whole 50 laps with Johnson winning, with Horton, Bunting, Mullins, Wilkins the top 5 drivers in Modified action. Heats were won by Johnson, Elliott, and Mullins, Mullins had the fastest heat lap of 19.324 seconds and 93.148 MPH. The feature Johnson had the fast lap of 19.695 seconds and 91.394 MPH.

In lates, Ricky Elliott started on the pole and seem to be the man to beat, but the oil pressure light came on in lap 33 and he had to shut it down ending his night again, who was performing double duty in both classes. David Hill started second in the 50 lapper Late Model event and worked to hold on to that from the start with DIS current points leader of Richard Jarvis, Jr., of Ocean City, MD taking 2nd on a restart in lap 2. Hot paced door to door action was with Jarvis and Hill for second. A lap 6 restart had Hill getting a little wide in turns 3 & 4, and losing a few positions. Anthony Rushing (an invader but his owner, Steve Nutall is a local) now grabbed third and ran down Jarvis for wheel to wheel action on several circuits.

Half way had Elliott leading, Jarvis, Rushing, Mark Byram and Kenny Pettyjohn driving Wm. Tarbutton’s number 0 late model. On the restart of lap 33, after Elliott’s night ended and now Hill was the new leader. Rushing and Jarvis continued to run side by side, but Jarvis soon reeled in Hill and nose to tail began for quite a bit. Jarvis looked to the inside or outside but never could get by Hill as Hill performed masterly. Last lap, Jarvis hit a rut and Rushing quickly asserted to claim second, Jarvis, Byram, and Donald Lingo, Jr., grabbed fifth. Heats were won by Elliott and Hill with 19.138 seconds and 94.054 MPH for Hill. However the fast lap in heat 1 was set by Jarvis with 18.991 seconds and 94.782 MPH. The fastest lap in the feature was Elliott with 18.725 seconds and 96.128 MPH.

On the weekly end of Saturday night action, much has been going on in every division. The big block modified class has had 9 different winners of on regular action night with H. J. Bunting, III, Cliff Foskey, Rick Bishop, Norman Short, Ricky Johnson, Tim Millman, Gary Simpson, Beau Wilkins, and Craig Mullins all winning at least once. The point’s leader as of last weekend has Bunting edging out with just a few over a 100 points lead over Mullins.

Richard Jarvis, Jr. has had a set up, maybe a bit of lady luck, and all the other factors necessary to climb to the top in points. It takes all the factors, karma, whatever you want to call it to be a factor or force maybe. Right now the Leath Heating & Air team 47 has had that going for them not to mention this young man being a very good driver. The racing in this class has been really racy and exciting.

The newest class that premiered last season, the AC Delco TSS Modified just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Forty-one different drivers have come to DIS to run in this class with 20-28 cars showing up every Saturday. The current points standing have Jack Mullins, Jr. and Bobby Watkins tied for the lead, rookies Brad Trice, Richie Walls, Jr., and Richard White, Jr. the other top five. The later three just started in this class, with Trice and Walls coming from go-karts, and White from Street Modifieds. Mullins has won 7 different features with quite a few nights he has charged on the last lap to take the checkered from an opponent.

Walls and Trice both have collected wins, however Walls has set a goal for this years. Walls said, “I want to win 5 races this year and if I can do that I will feel good, I really like this class. I feel lucky so far to do as well as I have.” Walls continued to say, “My Brother Robert Walls works every night with me, and my wife puts up with all of us and Norman Short has helped me so much.” Walls, just beams with energy and excitement which is what racing is suppose to be; Walls has claimed 4 wins so far, 1 to go? Other feature winners were Bobby Watkins, and Tom Curtis.

The AC Delco TSS Modified has been policed this past month regularly to keep on top of anyone trying to stretch rules a little to much. So far the class and drivers and teams have been doing really, really well over all. All drivers seem to be pleased with the class for the most part in cost, competition, speed, and others reasons that they race in this class.

The Street Modified class may have had fewer cars this year with a lot of guys switching classes and different reasons not racing from engine woes, or damaged of some sort to repair to do, but the competition, none the less has been just as hot. A lot of side by side action among drivers each weekend has transpired resulting in 8 different winners. Mark Williams just picked up his second win for this year since the second night of action in April along with Jason Cahall, Buddy Shockley, and Chris Shockley all two timer winners. Steve Bunting and Ripp Johnson both own 3 wins apiece while Kelly Putz and Mike Wilson have 1 apiece. Bunting leads in the points with Williams, Cahall, Wilson, and Johnson the top dogs. The battle for those points will be beef up between them in the coming.

Last Saturday in the drivers meeting track promoter Charlie Cathell let the street class know some of the change ups coming in 2006 for this class. This class will be offered an option to run the cars as they are now or change to a Late Model chassis and run the GM Crate sealed spec engine like the TSS Modified class does. The cars will weigh 2400 pounds and will use the same tire currently used in the Late Model division. Final details have not been finalized and are still in the works with weight and others issues possible. This option will allow drivers in the street class to switch up to the late class with only motor, tires and possible shocks, versing having to buy another chassis if they wish to change to a late model. The way it is set up now a street car can not use the chassis to upgrade to late models. This will allow more options for drivers to look toward the future and further down the road.

The Modified Lite class has not been a let down or any type although the point’s leader has had 9 wins, yes that is correct 9 wins. Jon Callaway of Harrington, DE may have the most wins, and leading points with a bit of an advantage, but it is never over until it is over as they say. Callaway has worked to get those wins each week though and the factors are all working right now for him.

The car count for the Mod Lites has had 20 or more cars every Saturday night with some really blistering racing going on. Other winners this year include Ryan Walls, Bobby Walls, III, Steve A. White, and Herb Tunis with one or more wins. Brandon Dennis has made a tremendous improvement in his second year and 7^th in points and is looking for his first win at DIS soon. The other top drivers in points are Tunis, Tim White, R. Walls, and White.

This Saturday, will be EZ-Pass of Delaware Night and the mighty fast URC Sprints return to DIS. Gates open 4:30 PM, racing starts at 7:00 PM. For more information call the race hot line at 302-846-3968 or the track office at 302-875-1911, or check the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com.

The U. S. 13 Dragway will go back to Sundays this week and the 42^nd Annual William J. Cathell Memorial Super Chevy Sunday – Show, Shine, and Drags. Gates open at 9:00 AM with show registration, hosted by the Mason-Dixon Classic Chevy Club running from 9-12 noon. There will be no classes but there will be 42 First Place awards, 42 Second Place awards, and 42 Third Place awards plus three Best in Show awards. Show vehicles must be Chevy powered and the first 200 entries will receive dash plaques.

Time runs will begin at 10:00 AM with judging from noon until 1:00 PM. Eliminations will begin immediately following the show awards presentation. Competition will be in Super, Heavy, Pro Bike, Hot Rod Trophy, Imports, Bike Trophy, Jr. Dragster I, Jr. Dragster II plus the MANDA Nostalgia cars and the Super Charged Thunder will be in action. Wally Trophies will go to all elimination winners. For more information contact the dragway office at 302-875-1911 or on the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com.

Points leaders as of this writing have Melvin Thomas in Super, Phillip Truitt in Heavy, John Bartkovich in Pro Bike, Humphrey Maddox, Jr., in Street Eliminator, Jordan Dill in Jr. Dragster I, and Marshall Fowler in Jr. Dragster II. Come out this Sunday and see these guys in action on the strip.

Switching now to the U. S. 13 Kart Club Track on the Delaware Motorsports Complex has continued each Friday night with jammed packed action. A lot of new drivers have come out this year to compete with the Pee-Wee class growing, and many others as well. Racing is every Friday night with gate admission only $5, gates open at 5:00 PM and racing starts at 7:00 PM.

Back on July 13, the kart club held a benefit race for Glen and Bryant Renfro who were injured in a fire when preparing tires while at a track in Ohio for a National race in June. Over $2500 were raised for the Renfro family. Bryant received 60% and Glen 50% of burns on their bodies.

The benefit was a great success, but just recently the track was surprised when the two showed up on a Friday night to say thanks to everyone for the support and help. The Father and Son had just been released 2 weeks prior to the visit, but been busy with follow up visits at John Hopkins University and just adjusting to getting home. Good news for Bryant (son) though, when he was told that the body suit he had been wearing did not have to be worn now due, to the progressing of his healing. Bryant will have to wear the arms and hands stockings but this was a big step, but things look real positive, yet still a long way to go. Glen stated, "The track and all the guys have all been so nice, we just wanted to come say hi. We would have come earlier, but with the way the heat has been and all, plus Bryant can't be out in the sun, we just waited. But I just can't say how great you guys have been to us. It has certainly been appreciated." Glen added, "Good will be coming out of this, with safety and new regulations, so we just try to be positive about all of it. We will just have this year off." For any U. S. 13 Kart News visit their web at www.dekarting.net.

For any of your racing action news visit www.redbud69racing.com Your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News Plus NASCAR. See you at the track!

Who’s Hot? Who’s Leading? Who’s Won?

Late Models exit to the track Modifieds lined up for hot laps

photos by Bonnie Nibblett

August 28, 2005

By Bonnie Nibblett

Delmar, DE…..The main stream of racing for 2005 has reached its peak and is nearing an end before we know it. The action at the Delaware International Speedway will be winding down in a short few months and the bitter cold air creeps in before we realize it. Everyone will be hovering in the house, and working in their shops toward next years cars and attending shows to get the old adrenalin roaring. But right now you can’t slow down all the racing action going on in Delmar. Let’s take a look who is leading in points, how many first time winners or who has had all X-factors working for them.

The fastest half-mile clay oval in Delaware has had plenty of dirt action with really super drivers slinging dirt every Saturday night for the fans. In Saturday night action much has been going on in every division.

The big block modified class has had 9 different winners of on regular action night, with H. J. Bunting, III, Cliff Foskey, Rick Bishop, Norman Short, Ricky Johnson, Tim Millman, Gary Simpson, Beau Wilkins, and Craig Mullins all winning at least once. The point’s leader is Bunting edging out with just a few over a 100 points lead over Mullins. Bunting just picked up his second win since opening night last Saturday, while Mullins has had 3 wins. But both have had to endure a few bad nights as well. Third in points is Johnson, Bishop, has claimed 4 wins and is 4^th in points with Simpson taking 5^th. Simpson has been strong all season, with a little luck and skill while a few teams have had a bit of a cloud hovering over.

Late Model racing has had 12 different winners out of 16 races on Saturday night action with the winners being, Richard Jarvis, Jr., Ray Davis, Jr., Rick Whaley, Mike Givens, Anthony Rushing, Dale Lingo, IV, Donnie Lingo, Jr., David, Mark, Kenny Pettyjohn, Kerry King, and Rob Massey. King and Massey both have collected their first late model wins. This is King’s first year in late models and Massey‘s second year; both came from the Street Modified class. Jarvis is leading points with a bit of a good lead. But also the last couple weeks Jarvis has had to race the heck out whatever he drove. Jarvis ran Hal Browning’s small block late model when his got tore up in hot laps this month. Browning offered his car to use and Browning is always a first class gentleman and a hell of a driver.

Other feature winners are Bobby Watkins, and Tom Curtis. Watkins, Mullins, Trice, Walls, and Richard White, Jr, is the top five in points. Leading, according to Redbud’69Racing.com Rookie Points Award in that class is Trice with the next two rookie contenders right below him in 4^th & 5^th. Last year Redbud69racing.com had a sponsor to support in giving the awards Plague in each class. Redbud states, We hope to have a sponsor again this year with their business name?

Last Saturday, in the drivers meeting it was announced that the street class will have some change ups coming in 2006 for this class. This class will be offered an option to run the cars as they are now or change to a Late Model chassis and run the GM Crate sealed spec engine like the TSS Modified class does. The cars will weigh 2400 pounds and will use the same tire currently used in the Late Model division. Final details have not been finalized and are still in the works with weight and others issues possible. This option will allow drivers in the street class to switch up to the late class with only motor, tires and possible shocks, versing having to buy another chassis if they wish to change to a late model. The way it is set up now a street car can not use the chassis to upgrade to late models. This will allow more options for drivers to look toward the future and further down the road.

For any of your racing action news visit www.redbud69racing.com. Your Delaware and Surrounding Tracks Race News Plus NASCAR. See you at the track!