Hot Action Continues At Delaware International Speedway

 

May 22, 2006

By Bonnie Nibblett

 

Delmar DE…..The Delaware Motorsports Complex continues with hot action every weekend.  The ½ mile clay oval had the mighty Winged URC Sprints visit May 13, 2006 for the first time this season where defending 2005 URC Champion Curt Michael burned his way to win his first win for 2006.  “ The Pink Panther” Kramer Williamson  was awfully fast in the heats and feature, claiming a lap at 17.039 seconds and 105.64 MPH on lap 8 in the heat. 

 

Mike Haggenbottom returned to URC this season after running an ARCA like race car on asphalt.  He will be in the former #54 which Chris Coyle drove last season.  Coyle will be in the # 92.  Another change up was Bryan Seidel who used to run in the Bostic # 6 will ride in the bright green # 5G.  Greg Coverdale returns to racing in the Bostic # 6.  Coverdale has not raced in a few years but was right on the mark that night.  The top five were Michael 99, Williamson 73, Bill Brian, Jr. 00, Jon Eldreth 25, and Coverdale 6.  The URC Sprints will return to Delmar on June 3, 2006, Dover NASCAR weekend. 

 

Other action on the speedway has been hot as ever in all the classes.  Regular late model drivers Richard Jarvis, Jr., Mark Pettyjohn and Rick Whaley have ventured to run at a few tracks in North Carolina.  But in between they have raced home at DIS as well as making some fantastic side by side, and wheel to wheel action.  Ricky Elliott managed to visit when he wanted to do some testing on his Late Model, and claimed a Late Model win. 

 

Last weekend the top five finishers were Donald Lingo, Jr., Lou Johnson, Rick Whaley, Richard Jarvis, Jr., and David Pettyjohn.  Donald ran an 18.848 seconds and 95.501 MPH on lap 10 in the feature.  Kenny Pettyjohn won his heat with and track fast lap of 18.868 seconds and 95.4 MPH on lap five.  David Pettyjohn won the second heat.  But is was Jarvis that had the fastest lap with an 19.378 seconds and 92.889 MPH on lap 5. 

 

Modified action has had some great action each Saturday night.  Although, Jamie Mills won the first three features and is running DIS full time this year; Tim Millman and Ricky Johnson both have claimed the other wins.  Last Saturday Johnson won with Beau Wilkins, H. J. Bunting (2005 DIS Defending track champ), Mills and Norman Short, Jr. in his big block Modified rounding out the top five.  Special thanks to heat winners Robert Dutton and Jamie Mills for doing a live interview on RaceNite radio show hosted by Mark Potter; available at www.reacetalklive.com.    

 

The AC Delco TSS Modified has had a full field every weekend.  Andy Hammond won opening night in April, and then 2005 defending track champ Bobby Watkins claimed the next two, and Jack Mullins, Jr. in the Bi-Rite Auto Sales Modified claimed the last two weeks.  This class continues to increase each week with new drivers making the change to the TSS crate engines. 

 

The TSS Late Model class is new this year, and each week new drivers have added to the field.  This class runs along with the Street Modified cars.  Mike Wilson was strong Saturday night and won last week in his crate motor, but did not get off to a good start Saturday when he got out of shape and hit the barrier wall pretty hard just before turn one on the start.  Wilson had front end damage and was hauled to the pits.  But the next restart had Gary Manos in a brand new sharp looking bright green TSS Late Model coming out of turn two gets into the back wall ruining his chances to run.  It was Manos first visit for 2006 last Saturday. 

 

While all the clean up was being made Wilson, had time to get his car worked on and returned to the track only two laps down claiming a tenth place finish.  Rookie’s Kevin Scott, Jr. has finished 6th the last two weeks after working out some kinks.  Rookie Ross Robinson picked up his second win last Saturday night.  And Shane Sockriter another rookie has been right up there each week.  All three of these guys’ ages range 14-16 years old; future racers running up there with the veterans like Hal Browning.  The class grows each week. 

 

The Modified Lite class count has fallen off a bit with a lot of drivers taking to the TSS Mod or Late crate motors.  But the class has had new drivers coming out, like Richie Wilson, Billy Mellon.  The action has been just as exciting with top guns switching back and forth or searing through the field to the front have been Tim White, Steve White, Herb Tunis, Erik McKinney, Brandon Dennis, and Aaron Bada all taking turns up front.     

 

The Little Lincoln Vintage Club has raced twice at DIS so far.  Ron Wilson won the first night and 2005 Champion Bill Brittingham won last week.  These guys put on a great show each time they visit.  If you have never seen Little Lincoln’s race you should try to see them.  They are more to the true vintage racing car, more so than the older era of Vintage cars now a day.  The cars have not been all cut up and over stocked.  They’ll return on June 10. 

 

The speedway runs every Saturday night throughout the summer until September with points ending and then the Delaware State Track Dirt Champion in Nov.  Gates open at 5:00 PM, cars start racing at 7:00 PM; sprint nights gates open 4:30 PM racing at 6:30 PM.  Check the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com for the schedule or any questions call the office at 302-875-1911 or the hot line at 302-846-3968. 

 

The U. S. 13 Dragway has had plenty of speed down the strip each Sunday. Super Pro has Tommy Ketterman leader in points and in Pro Jesse Truitt leads.  This Sunday will be double points in the regular weekly Summit ET Point Series divisions. Also on schedule will be the makeup of the rained out High School Elimination series opener which will carry single points. Gates open at 10 a.m. with time trials at 11 a.m. and eliminations at 3 p.m.  The dragway will change to Friday nights starting June 9th.  Check the web or call for more information at tracks office 302-875-1911.

 

The U. S. 13 Kart Club Track has been having record attendance on Friday nights in karting action.  They will return this Friday with a club race, gates open at 5:00 PM; practice starts 7:00PM.  Then the Delaware State Divisional will be on Saturday, June 17.  Gate will open at 7:00 AM, Registration 7-9 AM (no exceptions unless you call ahead to register), and starts at 9:00 AM.  Gate admission is only $5 each, and free 13 & under. 

 

Points leaders in the club are Chris Eck, Tyler Messick, Kody Joudrey, Brad Collins, Mark Wilkins, Lee Hurlock, Erika Hearn, Mike Reynolds, and Randy Wroten.  Current points leaders in the state division are Buddy Bloom, Adam Weber, Clint Chalabala (2), Brandon White (2), Matt Mobray, Buddy Sload Jr. (2),  Charles Hayes, Ralph Moore, Randy Wroten, Brandon Morris (2) and, Mike Ellerbush.  Check the tracks web site at www.dekarting.net for any news, images, and information.  Also the tracks hot line is 302-846-2646. 

 

So if your NEED FOR SPEED itch needs some scratching you have three types of racing in Delmar to feed the need.  Take a night and pack up the family to come see some sizzling speeds and action at one of the best facilities in Delaware tracks.  You won’t be sorry.  For all you Delaware and Surrounding Tracks News Plus NASCAR visit www.redbud69racing.com for all the updates on Delaware’s track news. See you at the track!