Delaware Dirt Track Championship Nov. 4 & 5 nose to tail with Big Block action of Glen Reed (35), Cliff Foskey (28), Mark Byram (55), and Scott Irwin (92). Photo by Bonnie Nibblett
A Grand, But Bittersweet Ending
By Bonnie Nibblett
November 30, 2006
Delmar, DE…..Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Now that Thanksgiving has just passed, NASCAR has ended, and the naming of all the champions at the Delaware Motorsports Complex has ended as well as, all the racing divisions that takes place on the three premiere tracks for the 2006 season. The speedway’s tracks last race weekend was the Delaware Dirt Track Championship, November 4 & 5 for the half mile oval ending the season.
It’s a Bittersweet feeling, ending the season, hate to see it end, yet it’s a chance to catch our breaths, recuperate, and get started for the next season to do it all over again. Drivers, crews, owners, all have to get started building new cars, selling old stuff, switching classes; a lot goes into getting ready for the next season. It won’t be long before the cravings for that NEED FOR SPEED will have to be fed.
Before we totally leave the 2006 season, the last event for the ˝ mile clay circle crowned the new Delaware Dirt Track Championships. The weather was a bit cool, and the nights had the first frost recorded. Yet, all us race fans weathered it out. Saturday, all the heats for each class that would run on Sunday were run after the two main features on Saturday. Saturday was the 50 lap Small Block Modified and the Little Lincoln Vintage Racing Club features.
Duane Howard of Oley, PA, in the Chad Sinon/BPG Motorsports # 4 claimed his first win at the speedway in the Delaware Dirt Tracks Championships in Small Block action. Howard also established the highest speed in the feature with 19.907 seconds and 90.420 MPH in lap 33. A total of 51 cars vied for the 30 available positions for the fifty ovals to be made on the track. The remaining top drivers were Jeff Strunk (88), Craig VonDohren (1C), Richie Pratt, Jr. (10X), and Jimmy Horton (42).
Six heats were held, and two consi’s to fill the field. Heat winners were Strunk, VonDohren, Horton, Danny Johnson, Howard, and Pratt. The track on Saturday was pretty much one groove racing which is a bit of disappointment if comparing to the regular Saturday nights of action, but its racing.
The Little Lincoln Vintage Racers rounded out the next feature with some mighty fine racing by the drivers; they may go only 10 laps but they race all ten. Rookie Matt Johnson (69) claimed his first career win on the last lap off turn 4. Mike Karr (17K) started on the pole, as the cars approached turn one, few cars got bottled up where Bill Brittingham (4), and Tim Chambers (22) to shoot down in turn 2 and grab the 1 – 2 spots. A couple other yellows plague the feature, but the racing was awesome. Ron Wilson started 4th got shuffled with Tim Chambers, Pat McNeil, and Kenny Foy in one of the cautions; Wilson held his position to finish 4th. Brittingham was strong and lead with Johnson coming in second the latter laps. The last lap Brittingham leads in turn 3 and gets just high enough for Johnson to squeeze the nose in on turn 4 and take the win at the flag stand. The top five were Johnson, Brittingham, Donald Robinson, Jr., Ron Wilson, and Pat McNeil.
This final feature ended the point’s battle to crown the Little Lincoln 2006 Championship to Ron Wilson. Great Job guys, 2005 Champion Brittingham lost by a mere 12 points finishing 2nd in points, 2005 Rookie of the Year Jamie Wagner 3rd, Mel Joseph, Jr. and Pat McNeil rounding the top five club champs.
Heats were held for the remaining classes that would run on Sunday. The big Block Modified had 6 heats taking 3 cars out of each and 3 cars out of 4 consi’s; a total of 49 cars. Heat winners were Danny Johnson, John Willman, Wade Hendrickson, Jimmy Horton, Tim Millman, and Gary Hager. Millman was the only DE regular driver at the speedway to win a heat in Big Block Modifieds.
Sunday’s racing had a bit move groove on the track to provide a bit more exciting features. An upset in the Big Block Modified 50 lap race came with John Willman, of Birdsboro, PA not only earned his first Delaware Dirt Track Championship, but he first ever Big Block Modified win and Championship. Willman ran Saturday in the small block feature in his car, but was asked to drive the no. 91D, owned by Tony & Dee Saracino on Sunday for the Big Block feature. Willman powered big block with the fastest speed in the feature with 19.561 seconds 92.020 MPH during lap 31 and took home over $7240. Willman usually runs small blocks at Grandview and Big Diamond as a track regular. Second place was Danny Johnson, Wade Hendrickson, Jimmy Horton, and Duane Howard. Colby Steele, DE regular, finished highest in the event with 12th place.
The Late Model Delaware Dirt Track Championship had a local in victory lane. David Pettyjohn (80), of Millsboro, DE picked up his first Delaware Dirt Track Champion title, leading all 50 laps. Pettyjohn won followed by Darryl Hills (7), Kenny Pettyjohn (38), David Hill, and Jamie Lathroum (6). Late models had 32 cars, with taking 8 in the three heats and 1 consi taking 6 cars. The racing was good for day time racing. I’m surprised there were a fewer late models, but other areas were having finales in late models, too. Pettyjohn claimed over $3755 total including lap monies. Late Model heats had D. Hills, J. Lathroum, D. Pettyjohn, all winners of their heats and the consi won by Kerry King.
Chad Clark (86) of Bridgeville, DE earned his first Delaware Dirt Track Championship in the crate, AC Delco TSS Modified Division. Clark has just started to run in this class with the last few races of the season trying to get a little seat time before the 2007 season arrives. His 2007 plans include just running this class and leaving the micro-sprints behind. Following Clark in the feature were John Curtis (17), Jordon Watson (30), Richard White, Jr. (27) and Grant Ireland (44)to claim his best finish of the year. The TSS Mod class had 36 cars wanting to run in the 25 lap feature; 8 cars qualified in the heats, and 2 cars in the consi. Heat winners were Clark, Curtis, and Watson, consi winner was Westley Smith.
The Delaware Dirt Track Champion in the TSS Late Model was Erik McKinney (V75) with his first time in this class for the championship title. McKinney was the 2004 track champion in the Modified Lites and plans to ride in this class full time next year. McKinney led with Ross Robinson (7), Mike Wilson (12), Joe Warren (11), and Jon Callaway (95) rounding out the top five. Heats were won by Mike Wharton (100), Kevin McKinney (25), Bobby Watkins (4), and Billy Mellon (56). McKinney and Mellon were rookies this year and only ran a few races.
Be on the lookout for more info on new drivers coming to the crate classes before the 2007 starts. Newest dirt has David Hill’s 15 year old son Derrike, coming into the TSS Late Model, as well as Dave Hertz’s 15 year old son, Andrew. More, and more news on new drivers will come along before we get 2007 rolling.
The last class was the Modified Lite Delaware Dirt Track Championship belonging to Brandon Dennis (10), followed by Mike Stratton (1S), Tim White (93), John Mollick (70X7), and Steve White (76). Dennis was getting stronger each week near the end of the season in this class, to really put him as a big contender. Dennis and Stratton both won their heats and Douglas Carrigan (8X) winning the third heat.
Slice for Five, the last event has Dylan Betts in no. 73 taking the Delaware Dirt Track Championship; it was also his third win of the season.
Overall, it was another exciting season of racing for all the spectators and fans. It is always bitter-sweet to end the year, but it is a bit of relief to catch your breath; but, I’m already starting to jones’ a bit for my NEED FOR SPEED appetite. It won’t be long before more dirt will come my way to share with all of you. Congratulations to all the Delaware Dirt Track Champions, all the Delaware track champions for the season, and to Todd Bodine, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmy Johnson for winning in the NASCAR’s main divisions. Check www.Redbud69racing.com for all your Delaware updates on drivers and tracks.
Next on the Delaware Sports Motorsports Complex will be the banquet award & dinner presentations. The U. S. 13 Dragway will be on Saturday, January 20, 2007, held at the Dover Hotel & Casino, in Dover, DE. Tickets are $35 each and on sale by contacting the track office at 302-875-1911. Cocktails begin at 5:00 PM.
The speedways banquet will be the following Saturday, January 27, 2007 at the Dover Hotel & Casino, in Dover, DE. Tickets are $35 each and available at the tracks office by calling 302-875-1911. Cocktails will begin at 5 PM as well. For more information check out the tracks web site at www.Delawareracing.com.
The U. S. 13 Kart Club named the champions in the club with:
The U. S. 13 Kart Club Track Banquet will be Saturday, December 2, 2006, at the Laurel Fire Hall, 10th Street, 7 PM. Congratulations to all the champs and drivers for a excellent year of racing. See you at the track!