5/17/2023
Delaware International Speedway
STSS Race Day: Delaware International ‘Diamond State 50’ Storylines, Stars & Sleepers
Written by Chris Moore
DELMAR, DE – Race Day: take two.
The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco fires back to life tonight (Wednesday) with the ‘Diamond State 50’ at Delaware International Speedway.
After last night’s postponement due to an unfavorable forecast, the STSS tackles the tacky half-mile oval on the Delaware-Maryland border for another edition of the storied event.
Tonight’s 50-lap, $5,000-to-win affair plays the part of Round No. 2 of the Rent Equip/Party Central South Region for the STSS big-block/small-block Modifieds.
THE STORYLINES
Delaware International Speedway has undergone a resurgence in ’23 under the promotional helm of BD Motorsports Media LLC. The revival of the historic Sussex County oval has featured great racing with speedway owner Charlie Cathell preparing an outstanding racing surface in the opening races of the season.
Potsdam, N.Y.’s Michael Maresca leads the pack heading into the ‘Diamond State 50’ following his win in the ‘Icebreaker’ at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway.
The South Region will lay dormant for nearly two months following tonight’s action, with the next scheduled event being July 9 at Bridgeport (N.J.) Motorsports Park.
THE STARS
The ‘Diamond State 50’ has a long history, with one name standing out more than the rest. Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen leads all competitors with four wins in the event, including each of the last three.
Before Friesen’s three-peat in the event, Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard etched his name on the ‘Diamond State 50’ wins list with two consecutive wins in ’18 & ’19. Sheppard is fresh off his first career Accord (N.Y.) Speedway win in the most recent STSS event last week and is already a Delaware winner this season back in March.
Boyertown, Pa.’s Mike Gular leads the point standings in competition at Delaware International Speedway, coming up one lap shy of having won both Modified features thus far at the speedway. Gular’s 2023 season is off to a strong start, and he’ll look to continue that momentum with another Delaware checkered.
THE SLEEPERS
Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Matt Stangle has quietly put together a very strong start to his season. He was third in the South Region opener, a runner-up last week at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway and is currently second in points at his Saturday night home, New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway. It appears to be a matter of time before the young hot shoe has a breakthrough.
Pipersville, Pa.’s Danny Bouc is riding a wave right now that’s seen him win twice and finish fourth in the last 10 days. The Keystone State native is fresh off a dominant performance at Georgetown Speedway, having won three of the last five races at the Sussex County facility.
The last time Neshanic Station, N.J.’s Jimmy Horton was in STSS competition with an engine at full strength, he was pulling away from the field on his way to a $12,000 win at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y. The ’01 & ’02 winner of the ‘Diamond State 50’ will look to put the bad memories of his lost chance behind him with his second career STSS victory.
ALSO IN ACTION
The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the night for Round No. 2 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region for a 25-lap, $1,500 feature event.
Newton, Pa.’s Joe Toth leads the field into Delaware with his win at Selinsgrove over Tom Moore Jr. and Kyle Smith.
Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers, with 12-lap features each, complete the program.
DIRT DRAFT
Don’t forget to set your Dirt Draft lineups before the night’s first heat race begins. Visit www.dirtdraft.com or download the app to join Dirt Draft and compete against thousands of others for the entire 2023 STSS season. A subscription is just $5.99 a month with plenty of prizes up for grabs in the Dirt Draft Speed Shop.
Following along with the STSS on Dirt Draft throughout the ‘23 season will pay one lucky fan dividends at year-end.
The STSS Dirt Draft Champion receives two tickets to the STSS year-end banquet and will be honored with a custom trophy presented by Dirt Draft.
GATES AND PRICES
One ticket booth will open at 3 p.m. for early pit admission. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.
Adult admission is $25. Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17) pay $20. Kids (ages 9-12) pay $10 and Children 8 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $40 (Non-Members), $35 (NASCAR Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children ages 5 and under.
HOW TO WATCH
The entire night of racing, along with every STSS race in 2023, will be broadcast LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).
A new office phone number exclusively for the dirt track has been set up: 302.567.8294 and e-mail delawareinternationalspeedway@gmail.com.
A new-for-2023 website is live at www.delawareinternationalspeedway.com.
Like “Delaware International Speedway” on Facebook to learn more.
Delaware International Speedway is located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, DE 19940.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, FloSports, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Rent Equip/Party Central, BDR Speed, Bicknell Racing Products, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Wegner Automotive, River Valley Builders, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DIG Race Products, Velocita-USA, Franklin Products, Design for Vision & Sunglass Central, Belmont’s Garage, Quality Drywall, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, Prime MAC Tools, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel, Beyea Custom Headers, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH, Electric Neon Custom Signs, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Spyder Filters, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO & Wilwood.
Submitted By: Brett Deyo