Emma’s Driver Spotlight Of The Week
: Street Modified Driver David NailorJuly 26, 2003
As in many of our drivers at the Delaware International Speedway, David Nailor who drives the number nine in the Street Modified class also comes from a background of a family racing. David’s Father, Lester Nailor, was the first one in the family to attain the number nine as his number to use on cars. Back as far as the 1963 Les began to run Go-karts, then soon after Les, took the reins of the Modified class, and then the Late Models. He raced at both Willow Grove Speedway in Willow Grove, Delaware which was a pasture field owned by Lester Wright and Whiteleyburg Speedway also in Delaware. Willow Grove was the first track I would get to go to and you would sit in your car and watch the races. Les also raced at the Onley Speedway, in Onley, VA, and DIS, Delmar, DE and Little Lincoln Speedway, Lincoln DE. Lastly, he drove at the Georgetown Speedway in Georgetown, DE where it claimed his life. Lester Nailor was in an accident on the track and the result was fatal sixteen days after the accident, where he died on September 23,1979.
Helen, David’s Mother raced as well at Little Lincoln Speedway, in Lincoln DE in the Powder Puff class. Back in the 60’s or early 70’s, the Lincoln and Georgetown Speedways would hold a special feature now and then called the Powder Puff’s races. That was the only time women were allowed to race. Boy, we have come a long way since then, thank goodness for that. Who knows I may have tried racing myself if we were allowed to drive more.
So in 1973, David turned to try his hand at racing. David began his career in racing at the age of fifteen and began running Go-Karts at the Milford Speedway, and the Redden Speedway, in Delaware, and the Chestertown Speedway, in Maryland. 1978, David ,ran a Late Model at the Georgetown Speedway and was named Rookie of the Year. In 1981-1983, David began to race Micro-Sprints at the Middleford Speedway and then David switched over to the Modified Lite division at DIS around 1991. David currently runs in the Street Modified class at DIS, where he's hoping he get a win this year. David has been in the Street Modified class around three years.
David is married to Wanda and has one Daughter, Melissa. Even though Wanda and Melissa don't come to the races, they are in David’s corner about his racing career. Lee, his Brother, Lorri Ann his Sister, and his Niece are there with him in the pits on each race night to cheer him to victory. His other brother Greg and his family sit in the stands and cheer him on, too. Good luck David, and I hope you get that win. His Brother, took the time to sit down with me and give this information on their history in racing. I would like to thank you all for doing this on a race night, and for all the support you gave me for doing this. Next week, I will be going to look for a Late Model or Modified driver to profile. Keep your eyes and ears open I may come your way.
Emma Downie
Emma’s Driver Spotlight Of The Week: Street Modified Driver Steve Stamps
March 3, 2004
This is a new driver that will be racing at Delaware International Speedway this year. His name is Steve Stamps, and he calls himself the "East Coast Rookie." Steve is out of Milford, DE. His Dad was there for him when he decided he would like to race and supported him all the way, along with his families support. Also his Dad helped him with racing as a crew member too. Steve has three children that also help and is a devoted father.
Steve began racing in 1991 after serving 4 years in the Air Force, at the Dover Air Force Base. He served in the first Gulf War, and returned home after his first term in the Military ended. He started in the street stock class at the Tri-State Speedway, in Ft. Smith, AR, and won Rookie of the year in just his first year of racing.
In 1992 he moved to the Grand National (street modified) class where he finish 9th in the point standing. In racing there are several classes and differ by the rules, regulations, tires, engine specs and so on. The Street Modified class is an upgrade from the Street Stock by specs and other requirements. Steve finished ninth in points that season.
In 1993 after racing only 7races, he relocated to Delaware to start a career with the United Postal Service, (UPS) as a driver in, Harrington, DE, and now has eleven years of service under his belt with UPS. And no, he will not be racing the Big Brown Truck.
Steve has raced on a few other tracks to include Batesville, AR, which is Mark Martins home track. Bonnie said she also has visited Batesville Speedway. The night Bonnie attended the track, there was a show with the MLRA (Midwestern Late Model Racing Association) Late Models. It was an awesome show, and a really fast and neat track, Bonnie added. It was like in a bowl, with 3/8 mile and a high banked clay oval and with some of the Larry Shaw Late Model racing. Steve has also raced in Texarkana, AR, Crawford CO, Muskogee OK, Springfield, Mo.
Steve would like to thank his sponsors for all their help, without them, Steve's racing would not be complete. His sponsors are, Elegant Slumming Diamonds, Dragon's Lair in Rehoboth, DE, Surfside Motel out of Nagshead, NC, Jerry's Paving, and Wings To Go, of Milford, DE, Rattan Co, Century21Rehoboth Bay Realty, and Ocean Retreat Day Spa, of Dewey Beach, DE. More sponsors including, Bin 66 Fine Wine & Spirits, Abizaks, both in Rehoboth, and Moore's Powder Coating and Red Barn Country Store of Georgetown, DE.
Racing has been a passion that Steve has not been able to let go of, nor does he want to. You know what they say you either love it or hate it and Steve's passion is a never ending desire. And most of know that we have this addiction for NEED FOR SPEED as Bonnie says. So the last few years Steve has been saving his money to build a car to race at DIS and this year he will make his debut. So come on over to Delaware International Speedway and cheer this rookie on. Steve will also have t-shirts for sale at the track in his trailer doing the season.
The Delaware Coast Press will be featuring two articles on Steve Stamps. The first was printed in February and you can view it by clicking here. The next article will be out near the end of the season. Also I made a web page up on Steve and you can view it here.
Emma Downie