10/16/2016
Delaware International Speedway
$60,000 DELAWARE STATE DIRT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS ALWAYS FULL OF SURPRISES
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – Anticipation for the Oct. 21st and Oct. 22nd Delaware State Dirt Track Championships is at an all-time high. The 2016 season has been the most competitive ever producing 42 different feature winners in the five weekly divisions. A total of 22 (11 big block, 11 late model) different winners could easily produce a Fall champion in either of those divisions but the year end race has a way of coming up with some surprises.
With $7000 (with $100 gambler’s fee) up for grabs in both the Big Block Modifieds and the Super Late Models you can be sure that all of this year’s winners will be bringing their “A� game.
2016 NAPA Big Block Modified champion, H.J. Bunting has won the Small Block Modified Fall championship but has never won the event in the big blocks. Bunting is coming off a big win at the Georgetown Speedway and is in top form. And then there is the Hawkins family: father Dale and son Matt who have five wins between them this season and both are looking for their first fall championship.
Surprises could come from home track regulars like Brad Trice, Michael White, Shawn Ward, Robert Dutton or rookie racers Brandon Watkins or Carson Wright. Bridgeport Speedway’s Ryan Watt and 2016 New Egypt champion, Ryan Godown have run well and could be the spoilers for the season finale.
Ricky Elliott will debut the new Jake Marine owned, Walt Breeding designed big block. Elliott, who has been better known for his Super Late Model performances is a former two-time champion in the big blocks and will be doing double duty.
On the late model side, Elliott has won five of the last six fall championships with Rob Schirmer being the only driver to upset his streak two seasons ago. Some strong local runners looking for their first Fall championships include Nick Davis, Amanda Whaley, Dylan Evans, Herb Tunis and Ross Robinson. Lets not forget seven time division champ, Donald Lingo, Jr. who has finished in the top three twice in the last three years.
Defending winners in the $60,000 event include: Jordan Watson in the big blocks; Richie Pratt, Jr. in the small blocks; Ricky Elliot in the late models, Robbie Walls, Jr. in the Crate Models; Devon Dodson in the AC Delco Sportsman; James Hill in the Mod Lites; Mel Joseph, Jr. in the Little Lincoln Vintage; Dwayne Heck in the Vintage Stock Cars; Jay Sipple in the Delmarva Chargers and David Smith in the Super Trucks.
Friday, Oct. 21st, gates open at 3:00 pm with hot laps at 6:00 pm followed by qualifying in all weekly divisions plus the small block modifieds. Feature events will be 12-lap each features for the Little Lincoln Vintage, Delmarva Chargers and Super Trucks followed by the 50-lap Small Block Modified Championship.
Saturday, Oct. 22nd, gates open at 4:00 pm with hot laps at 5:30 pm. There will be consolations as needed followed by the 25-lap AC Delco PSC Sportsman feature, the 50-lap Big Block Modified feature, the 50-lap Late Model feature, the 25-lap Crate Model feature, the 20-lap Mod Lite feature and the 12-lap Vintage feature.
General admission is $25 each day or a two day pass for $40. Pit admission is $35 each day or a two day pass for $60. Children 13 & under are admitted free on the spectator side when accompanied by a parent. For more information contact the speedway office at 302-846.3911.