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WATSON AND PRATT SPLIT TWIN 20’S AT DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL

WATSON AND PRATT SPLIT TWIN 20’S

Written By: Alison Watson

Delmar, Delaware- Joseph Watson rebounded from a challenging season to capture the first win of the Twin 20 Hurlock Auto and Speed Big Block Modified feature events.

“This has been one of the toughest years for our race team,� exclaimed Watson in victory lane.

Howard O’Neal took advantage of the pole position and set a controlling lead from the start of the race. Behind O’Neal, Scott VanGorder, Joseph Watson, and Brad Trice would all fight for the runner-up position.

Joseph Watson would ultimately claim the second position and begin running down O’Neal.

By halfway, Joseph Watson would be on the tail of O’Neal with Trice, VanGorder, and Jordan Watson rounding out the top five.

A late race caution would set up a single-file restart. On the restart, Joseph Watson would go to the top of turns one and two, with O’Neal sliding up in front of Joseph Watson. Jordan Watson would dive to the bottom of Trice for the third position.

Joseph Watson would continue to be on the rear bumper of O’Neal, waiting for the perfect timing to pounce. With two laps remaining, O’Neal slid in front of Joseph Watson in turns three and four, the two touched, with Joseph Watson able to complete the pass coming out of turn four.

Watson would secure the top position and drive to his first win of the 2018 season. O’Neal, Jordan Watson, VanGorder, and Trice would round out the top five.

For the second Twin 20 event, all cars on the lead lap of the first event would be completely inverted, with the first feature winner starting in the 16th position. The invert would set-up for side-by-side racing throughout the entire field as top-runners from the first feature were furiously trying to get to the front of the pack in 20 laps.

Dale Hawkins would set the early lead, with Robert Duttonfollowing in suit, using the back-up car of Scott VanGorder.

Deep in the field, Trice, Jordan and Joseph Watson, and Jim Britt were scouring for positions to try and crack the top ten.

On lap eight, contact between Kyle Fuller and Britt on front stretch brought out the caution flag. On the restart, Richie Pratt, Jr., Dutton, Bobby Watkins, and Jordan Watson went four-wide, with Pratt charging into the second position.

Another caution flag would wave with Scott VanGorderslowing. A single-file restart would occur, as the event was over halfway. On the restart, Dutton went to the bottom of Hawkins in turns one and two with Pratt to the top of the speedway. In turns three and four, Pratt would carry enough momentum to pass Hawkins for the lead. Dutton and Jordan Watson would try to capitalize on the action, taking the second and third position from Hawkins.

Pratt would begin to stretch his lead, with Jordan Watson passing Dutton for second. For the last four laps, Jordan Watson would try to reel in Pratt, coming within car links in the final corner.

Pratt would be able to hold off the challenges, winning his first feature event of the 2018 season. Jordan Watson, Dutton, Trice, and Joseph Watson would round out the top five, respectively.

“I’m glad it was just 20 laps,� said Pratt in victory lane, referencing motor and fuel pressure issues throughout the night.

Greg Humlhanz would continue his strong 2018 campaign winning his third AC Delco Crate Modified feature event.

The 15-lap feature event saw Trent VanVorst take an early lead with hard charging Adam White and Greg Humlhanz. The trio would go three-wide on lap four, with Humlhanz securing the lead position.

On laps six and seven, top runners, VanVorst and White would both spin in separate incidents, bringing out the caution flag.

Humlhanz would remain unchallenged as Dwayne Crockett and Trent Willey would drag race for consecutive laps, with Crockett ultimately earning the second position. Willey, Rodney Cordrey, and “Mr. Consistent,� Ryan Riddle would round out the top five.

Hometown driver and typical Super Late Model driver, Kerry King, took advantage of the Super Late Models not being scheduled for this weekends event and took the win in the RUSH Late Model 15-lap feature event.

“These crate drivers are fun to race with,� said King in victory lane. “It is a good feeling to be able to come to the races with my family and not have to spend a lot of money with this crate series.�

King would have to work for his victory, as Charles Shawverand Jimmy Jesmer, Jr., battled side-by-side for the first seven circuits for the top position. On lap seven, Jesmer’s competitive run would come to an end, as he was involved in a multi-car accident in turns one and two.

The restart would be single-file, with King diving to the bottom of Shawver for the lead on lap nine. A few circuits later, Shawver would spin, removing himself from contention for the win.

Another late race caution would set-up for a green, white, checkered finish with King holding off the strong charges of Matt Hill, Billy Thompson, Amanda Whaley, and Sparky White.  

James Hill continued his dominating fashion in the Modified Lite division, taking the lead from Tim White. There would be multiple cautions to regroup the field, but none could compete with the strength of Hill. Tim White, Aaron VanVorst, Curt Miles, Jr., and Wesley Smack rounded out the top five.

Hurlock Auto and Speed Big Block Modified Feature Finish1: JOSEPH WATSON, Howard O’Neal, Jordan Watson, Scott VanGorder, Brad Trice, Jim Britt, Richie Pratt, Jr., Jordn Justice, Brandon Watkins, Bobby Watkins, Kyle Fuller, Mike White, Ron Roberts, Robert Dutton, Kevin Gardner, Dale Hawkins, TJ Williams, HJ Bunting, Carson Wright, Kevin Sockriter, Wesley Smith, Matt Hawkins

Hurlock Auto and Speed Big Block Modified Feature Finish2: RICHIE PRATT, JR., Jordan Watson, Robert Dutton, Brad Trice, Joseph Watson, Jordn Justice, Dale Hawkins, Jim Britt, Brandon Watkins, Ron Roberts, Mike White, Kevin Sockriter, Wesley Smith, TJ Williams, Kevin Gardner, Bobby Watkins, Howard O’Neal, Scott VanGorder, Kyle Fuller, HJ Bunting, DNS: Carson Wright, Matt Hawkins

AC Delco Crate Modified Feature Finish: GREG HUMLHANZ, Dwayne Crockett, Trent Willey, Rodney Cordrey, Ryan Riddle, David Jenkins, Jason Rush, Adam White, Danny Smack, Trent VanVorst, Tommy Wilkins, Nick Alberti, John Stevenson, Sean Metz, Jeff Marker, Jordan Long, Gary Langenstein

RUSH Late Model Feature Finish: KERRY KING, Matt Hill, Billy Thompson, Amanda Whaley, Sparky White, Derek Magee, Dana Walker, Zac Weller, Mike Wharton, Joe Warren, Jimmy Jesmer, Jr., Justin Jesmer, Wes Clifton, Charles Shawver, Chace Biron, Joe Pete, Brandon Sturgis, Kevin Scott, Jr.

Modified Lite Feature Finish: JAMES HILL, Tim White, Aaron VanVorst, Curt Miles, Jr., Wesley Smack, Jake Nelson, Curt Miles, Sr., Jerry Barker, Jason Mussler

 

 

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