Matt Jester (62) and Ricky Johnson (69) going at it in the Big Block Modified heat where Jester would win on August 11, 2007.
Photo by Redbud69racing.com
Who’s The Top Runners?
August 30, 2007
By Bonnie Nibblett
Delmar, DE…..Here’s September just days away; getting closer to the end to feed that sweet dependence of NEED FOR SPEED is quickly closing in. Those fumes, sounds, and spirit of fans, drivers and crew that we all crave endlessly, is slowing down. Yet, there’s still quite of few weekends left at the Delaware Motorsports Complex before the end is here to feed that addiction.
The tight ½ mile clay oval has had some of the best racing all race season. You watch a race and think it was some really great, close action this week to return the next weekend and the racing was just as hot as last weeks. These guys have really been putting on awesome shows every week.
This weekend the Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club will join the regular weekly divisions of Big Block Modifieds, Super Late Models, both crate classes of AC Delco TSS Mod & Street/TSS Late Models, and the mighty Modified Lites.
So far this year at this writing, the top five in points in each class at the oval goes like this. BB Modifieds – H. J. Bunting III (91), Ricky Johnson (69), Norman Short, Jr. (8M), Matt Jester (62), Robert Dutton (888). Bunting has 3 wins, Jester has 2 and Dutton and Johnson and Tim Millman have 1 win apiece. Other winners include Jamie Mills with 5, and Howard O’Neal with his very first career wins and totals 3 so far.
The Late Model action has the 2006 contender back in the lead so far with Donald Lingo, Jr. (55L) going for title # 2. Second is Rick Whaley (4), Kerry King (K&B), David Hill (75), and Bob Geiger (38). Lingo has racked up 5 wins, Whaley has visited victory lane 3 times, and in addition, Kenny Pettyjohn, Austin Hubbard, and Dale Lingo IV all have 1 win each.
The AC Delco TSS (Technician Service Specialist) Modified has the top runner Brad Trice (33) in the lead, Joseph Tracy (37J), Chad Clark (H2O), Mike White (21M), and Rodney Cordrey (20) round out the top 5. Tracy leads with 3 wins but Tim Trimble has 3 wins as well. Trice, Clark, & John Curtis, 2 wins, and Cordrey, has 1; other single wins go to Brandon Perdue, Justin Griffith, and Jeff Brown.
The Street Mod/TSS Late Model points leader is last years TSS Modified Champion of Jack Mullins, Jr. (1), Kelly Putz (59), Mike Wilson (12), Herb Tunis (5M), and Justin Breeding (27) included in the top 5. Mullins has 6 wins, Joe Warren, 5, Putz, Eric Vent have 2, and Ross Robinson have 1.
The two GM crate classes has had to undergo some severe teching in the last couple months to make sure these guys are keeping at bay to try and keep it a level playing field. One week the top 5 cars had the shocks teched and only 1 was legal, Kelly Putz. Another week one motor was confiscated, and a stiff fine of $5,000 must be paid before that team can race the crate late model class again. These consequences are clearly stated in the track rules handbooks. Many drivers were really glad to be checked because they say there’s some trying to cheat. It’s always been teams trying to find that gray area and test it to the limit in all racing, look at NASCAR. Maybe it’s the competitiveness in them?
The Modified Lite has Steve White (76) leading and has 11 wins. Rookie Curt Miles, Jr. (21JR & son of 21) trails in 2nd, Brandon Dennis (10), Kirt Miles (21 father of 21JR), and Aaron Bada in 5th. Dennis has scored 2 wins along with Tim White and Rick Wheatley picked up his first career win.
The Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club top 5 in points is Bill Brittingham (4), Jamie Wagner (3), Pat O’Neal (00), Mel Joseph, Jr. (30). Fifth goes to two drivers driving the same car on alternate nights of John Stevenson & Jeff Wheatley (14A). Brittingham has collected 3 wins (Elvis) O’Neal with 2 and Wagner adds 1 to his stats. The Little Lincoln club has had another date added to the speedways schedule of Sept 15. That class always puts on a grand race. Visit the clubs web site at www.littlelincolns.com for updates, photos, plus much more.
The last Slide for Five had to be canceled due to mechanical problems with the water truck and the make up date will be Sept. 8. Only two drivers out of four events held that hold the wins are Scott Calhoun, and Dylan Betts.
It’s getting down to the nitty-gritty each week. Who will be on top at the end of the year? Better keep an eye open for some exciting racing to continue every Saturday night at Delmar. The URC Sprints were just here last week but at this writing Curt Michael (99), Ed Aikin (19A), Kramer Williamson (73), Michael Carber (19H), and Chris Coyle (83) are the top 5 so far. Michael leads in the Taylor & Messick Delaware State Series at the track too.
Here are a few DIS track fun notes:
The U. S. 13 Dragway just flipped back to Sunday’s racing as of last week. This weekend will be the final point’s race for dragsters to get it done. There were some rainouts this year and the final points date could be changed. This Sunday will be Outlaw 10.5 & Drag Radial + Summit ET Racing & 3rd High School Race. Gates open 10 AM, time trials begin 11 AM. There are still some great events left before the season ends. Check the tracks web at www.delawareracing.com or call the office 302-875-1911 for any questions or the tracks hot line 302-846-3968 for upcoming events or details.
The U.S. 13 Kart Club Track will be racing this Friday night, gates open at 5 PM, Registration, 5 -7 PM. Check the web at www.dekarting.net or the track phone at 302-846-2646 to catch who leading in points.
For all your Delaware tracks news, drivers, schedule, and updates check out www.redbud69racing.com and the shores biggest racing message board powered by Bi-Rite Auto Sales of Seaford. See you at the track!