Non-stop Action At The Delaware Motorsports Complex
Gary Simpson # 12K has been a top competitor in his first year driving a Late Model. Gary has been a Modified driver until this year. He is currently leading in www.Redbud69racing.com Rookie Award for Late Models sponsored by AutoWorld of Delmar
Photo by Bonnie Nibblett
URC Current Points Leader Curt Michael # 99
Photo by Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE, August 28, 2006…..The Delaware Motorsports Complex continues with
hot action every weekend. Though the season is nearing the end, plentiful racing
action has been non-stop.
The half-mile oval all month has had some supreme, tight racing action every
Saturday night. The track has been heavy, fast speeds and a lot of wheel to
wheel action and last lap passes.
The Advance Auto Body URC Sprints usually visits at least once a month. August
19, had a great show of around 30 cars to compete for the 25 spots to race. Curt
Michael of Ocean View, DE has almost captured the 2006 Championship with
consistent finishes. The last visit Michael started 4th, but to reach the front,
he had to do some fancy reeling in on the leader. Rookie Brook Weibley quickly
took the lead on the start from Josh Weller and leading for almost the entire 25
lap feature. Michael finally was about to reach Weibley but lap cars were also a
factor. Michael wind through the front to take the lead just seconds ahead of
Weibley at the start / finish line. Last lap passes really make for a
spectacular finishes.
Other action on the clay oval has been a wild and crazy time. This year has had
quite a few drivers switching from their regular race division to one or the
other crate classes; whether it be the AC Delco TSS Modified, or the TSS Late
Model (former Street Modified). Quite a few drivers have come from Micros
Sprints.
Ross Robinson started the season with his first year in a crate late model. So
far he has won 7 features. Other new drivers to that class are Travis Justice
who has never drove anything, but has been a contender from his start after the
season had started. Billy Mellon came from Mod Lite Jr. & Mod Lite class to
start driving this class. Go-kart driver Kevin Scott, Jr. has been consistent
with top 5 & 10 most features. Scott picked up his first career win a couple of
weeks ago; and it was his birthday too. What a present to give yourself?
Current point’s leader is Joe Warren for the crate late model division. Warren
started this year after coming from Mod Lites and has been one of the strongest
contenders against the new and regular drivers. The class has grown all season
in just as the AC Delco TSS Modifieds were when they started 3 years ago. The
crate mods have been steady with at least 20 or more cars each week.
The AC Delco has had new comers such as Ryan Walls, former TUSA National
Champion, be a really strong contender the last half of the season to rack up 5
wins thus far. John Wynn is new, Mike White, Herbie Hemple and Eric Vent all are
new from micros or karts or never driven anything. That is one of the advantages
about the two crate classes, as it gives drivers a chance to race on a lower
scale of cost and maintenance then the high end of super late and big block mods.
Also, the crate programs are becoming very popular in other tracks and states.
Late model action has a rookie that started this season off with a bang and
still continues to be a force. Gary Simpson has been a steady, almost top 5's
racer every week. Simpson has been knocking on a victory each week and finally
got his first win in the Super Late Models on Aug. 19, 2006. One other driver
that is not new but fairly new with a few years only. Donald Lingo, Jr. has been
on a roll with 3 straight wins in a row July 29, Aug. 5th, and Aug 12th. Lingo
has hung right in there with the top dogs and is currently leading in points
over ten time champion Kenny Pettyjohn. The points are still very close. If he
can pull it off, it will be is first championship.
Matt Jester is new and the only rookie in the big block modifieds. Jester also
had to sit out quite a few races waiting for the motor to be repaired in the
Clear Farms no. 62. But since his return in August Jester has racked up 2 wins.
The Mod Lites class has dwindled down a bit with many switching to the crate
classes due to cost issues and cheaper to run the crate. But the racing has been
some great action. The top dogs battle every week to see who will win this week.
The two strong contenders are Steve A. White with 9 wins and he has worked his
way through the pack most times. Teammate Tim White (no relationship to Steve)
has been a heavy contender with 5 wins.
The point’s battle is close in the Late Models & the Modifieds with just mere 5
to 50 points between drivers. The next few races will determine the champions
and be sure we will talk about them then. This week’s show will have the regular
5 divisions along with the Little Lincoln racing. They always put on a great
show. Gate open at 5 PM, cars head on the track at 7 PM.
The US 13 Dragway celebrated their 43rd year this past Sunday with a Super Chevy
Show and the William J. Cathell Memorial too. The dragway has also moved back to
Sundays. For hours and operation news check out the tracks web at
www.delawareracing.com or the office
at 302-875-1911.
This Saturday will be the last WKA sanction Delaware Dirt Divisional Series
(state race) for the US 13 Kart Club Track. Gates open at 7 AM, registration 7-9
AM and practice starts 9:30 AM. The point’s battle is close in the karts in both
club points and state points. Future racers develop out of karts and many times
to go bigger classes. After this Saturday’s state race, the following weeks,
will have Friday night action. Gate open at 5 PM and admission is only $5. Where
else can you go for some fun for 5 bucks?
Keep an eye out on
www.redbud69racing.com for all your Delaware’s track news, plus NASCAR and
any updates and announcements. See you at the track!