---

DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTES OVER $50,000 AT 2014 AWARDS BANQUET

DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CELEBRATES 2014 SEASON

 

By Charlie Brown, Dover, DE – Fans, drivers and families braved the frosty temperatures to attend the 2014 Delaware International Speedway Awards Banquet at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino Saturday night.  The top ten in the five weekly divisions shared the $49,925 cash point fund and over $10,000 in contingency awards.

 

Jordan Watson returned to the NAPA Big Block Modifieds in 2014 in a big way. Watson scored five wins and earned 2402 points worth $6000 from the point fund. Three time champion, Jamie Mills of Milford, Del. was the runner-up for the second year in a row posting six wins and finishing just 62 points back with 2340. Third through fifth were five time champion, H.J. Bunting of Milford with five wins and 2280 points, Beau Wilkins of Milford with three wins and 2178 points and Brad Trice of Parsonsburg, Md. with 1837 points.

 

Sixth through tenth place drivers that received awards were: Scott VanGorder of Laurel, Del.; Shawn Ward of Laurel; Michael White of Laurel; Bobby Watkins of Harrington, Del. and Matt Hawkins of Hawkins of Hartley, Del. Trophies were presented by NAPA Auto Parts. Rookie of the Year honors went to Trent Willey.

 

The battle for the Super Late Model Championship went right down to the final night between defending point champion Ricky Elliott of Seaford and Bethel, Del.’s Andrew Mullins. Mullins came into the final night with a slim lead in the standings then held off Elliott in the main to claim the crown with 2335 points. Elliott recorded 11 wins during the season and finished second just 25 markers back with 2310. Five time champion Donald Lingo, Jr. of Millsboro finished third in points with 2400 and a win. Fourth went to Nick Davis of Gumboro, Del. with 1985 and he also recorded his first win in the divisions as did fifth place finisher Joe Warren of Georgetown, Del. running an experimental small block Ford engine and totaling 1930 points.

 

Sixth through tenth in the standings were: Staci Warrington of Milton, Del. with one win; veteran Bob Geiger of Laurel; Herb Tunis of Georgetown who posted his first career win; Amanda Whaley of Millsboro and Kerry King of Delmar. Trophies were presented by U.S. Foods, Inc. Rookie of the Year honors went to Joe Warren.

 

Greg Humlhanz of Chalfont, Pa. returned to full-time racing at Delaware International in 2014 driving for his first full season in the AC Delco PSC Modifieds. Due to his consistency and two wins Humlhanz was able to win the division’s championship with 1909 points and earning $1600. Scott Hitchens of Gumboro picked up a pair of wins to finish in second with 1727 and Brandon Watkins of Harrington picked up his first career win finished a personal best in third with 1698. Fourth went to Joe Tracy of Gumboro with 1668 and Chad Clark of Bridgeville, Del. and Tim Trimble of Easton, Md. tied for fifth with 1639 points each.

 

Finishing seventh through tenth were: Kevin Sockriter of Seaford; Westley Smith of Delmar; Dwayne Crockett of Laurel and Brandon Gallo of Harrington. Trophies were presented by R.C. Holloway and AC Delco.  Rookie of the Year honors went to Jeremy Harrington.

 

With Joe Warren moving into the Super Late Models the Crate Model championship was up for grabs. Having another outstanding season and posting his second championship was Matt Hill of Georgetown. Hill won 10 features and totaled 2250 points worth $1600. Second spot went to former champion, Tyler Reed of Milton with 2080 and Sparky White of Delmar had a solid season to finish in third with 2080. Fourth went to Robbie Walls, Jr. of Georgetown who posted his first two career victories and earned 2030 and Steven Baker of Georgetown rounded out the top five earning his first career win and 1683 points.

 

Sixth through tenth were; Aleesa Young of West Chester, Pa.; Mike Wilson of Salisbury; Dylan Evans of Millsboro; Michael Wharton of Greenwood and Eric Vent of Lincoln, Del. Trophies were presented by Snookie’s Speed Parts. Rookie of the Year honors went to Jamie Emory.

 

Mike Stratton of Camden, Del. returned to defend his Mod Lite title but with a new car owner in 2014. Statton, in the Richie Shultie, Jr. Evans/Pro survived two mid-season crashes that destroyed both cars to pass point leader James Hill of Laurel on the final night. Stratton earned 2120 points and $1200. He also won four features and the Delaware State Championship in the division. Hill finished a disappointing second with 2053 points after his backup came up too light on the final night. Ray Gulliver came on strong in the closing weeks to finish in third with 1776. Ryan Dryden of Hebron, Md. posted a personal best finishing in fourth with 1609 and Alan Passwaters of Seaford rounded out the top five with 1477.

 

Finishing in sixth through tenth were: Tim White of Salisbury; Aaron VanVorst of Georgetown; Jake Nelson of Onancock, Va.; Jimmy Wills of Felton, Del. and Kirk Miles of Saxis, Va. Trophies were presented by Pepsi Bottling Ventures. Rookie of the Year honors went to Brian Short of Seaford.

 

Brandon Watkins was received the Kyle Dixon Youth Achievement Award in memory of Kyle Dixon. Fred Woodward of Lias Tire of Indiana, Pennsylvania and American Racing tires presented both cash and contingency awards to Modified and AC Delco Modified drivers who participated in the 2014 American Racer Cup program. American Racer gave out more than $14,000 in cash and contingencies to racers at the track in 2014.

 

Walt Breeding of TUSA celebrated 20 years of racing at Delaware International Speedway for the Mod Lite division. Owners that competed in the State Championship were presented with awards that included a John Deere lawn and garden tractor from Taylor & Messick, two tires from Hoosier Racing Tires, Shock absorbers from Edge Racing and contingency certificates from Pro Race Cars. He also presented Richie Shultie and Mike Stratton with custom jackets for winning the State Championship courtesy of Taylor & Messick. Appreciation awards were given to DIS promoter Charlie Cathell, sponsor Jimmy Messick, announcer Charlie Brown and an “Ironman� award to Calvin Musser for all his assistance with the division. Breeding was then surprised by a special presentation of highlights of his motorsports career narrated by Arizona’s Buck Buckholz, including a video tribute and a lifetime service award plaque from Delaware International.

 

All champions received championship jackets, “Gold Cards� for free admission and beautiful one of a kind custom made steel trophies. They also drew for individual awards that included free pit parking spots, a season pass and a catered party for 20 people in the VIP lounge.

 

The point fund was due largely in part to the following sponsors: Clark’s Swimming Pools, Inc.; Insinger Performance, Inc.; Lias Tire; Mar-Del Watermelon Association; NAPA; Pepsi; Pro Race Cars; R.C. Holloway Co.; S.R. Pete & Sons; Scott’s Furniture; Snookie’s Speed Parts; Sussex Scrap Metal; Taylor & Messick John Deere; US Foods, Inc. and Why Not Travel.

Back to News