10/17/2015
Delaware International Speedway
RICHIE PRATT, JR. HOLDS OFF CRAIG VONDOHREN FOR SMALL BLOCK FALL CHAMPIONSHIP WIN
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE – Friday night of the two day Delaware State Championship provided a ton of qualifying heats for all divisions and championship features for the Small Block Modifieds, Super Trucks, Delmarva Chargers and Little Lincoln Vintage Cars. Richie Pratt, Jr. in the Sal DeBruno/Overhead Door of South Jersey No. 0 would earn his second Fall Championship holding off a late race challenge by Craig Von Dohren earning $5000 for the win and earning an additional $495 in lap leader bonus money.
Billy Pauch, Matt Jester, and Kyle Borror started in the top three spots after winning their qualifying heats. The first attempt at the start was thwarted by a four car tangle in the first turn involving Scott Hulmes, Pete Visconti, Ernie Miles and Pete Serra.
On the restart, Pauch jumped out to the early lead with Pratt, Jr. quickly working from fourth to second by lap two. By lap six the leaders were already approaching the back of the field. Ernie Miles got crossed up directly in front of Pauch but the lead pack was able to get by safely as the second caution flew.
Doug Manmiller got by Jester on the restart and Pratt, Jr. went to work on Pauch for the lead. Pauch slipped high in the fourth turn and Pratt, Jr. moved on top for lap ten. Craig Von Dohren was blazing through the field from his tenth starting spot getting by both Manmiller and Pauch to take over the second spot on lap 12.
Manmiller managed to get by Pauch just before the halfway sign and Scott VanGorder climbed into the fifth spot. Jester’s drive ended just two laps later as he slowed and headed to the pits. By ten to go, the leaders were threading their way through traffic. The yellow would slow the field once again on lap 43 when Jeff Sargent came to a stop. At this point H.J. Bunting, who started in 16th pulled into the top five.
Pratt, Jr. was the fastest down the straights and VonDohren was starting to reel him in through the turns. A caution for David Van Horn who got around after contact battling with VanGorder set up the final challenge for the win. On the green, VonDohren went to the high groove and with one to go pulled even with Pratt in the one-two turn. Pratt edged back out front down the back straight but VonDohren would again pull alongside in four. Pratt managed to muster enough horsepower on the final straight to take the win with VonDohren finishing on his back bumper.
“We really needed this,� said Pratt. “It’s been a long tough season for us and we needed this win.� It was the second Fall Championship for Pratt, Jr. in four years. Third went to Manmiller who turned in a great drive with Bunting getting by Pauch on the final lap to finish in fourth.
50 Lap Delaware Fall Championship Small Block Modified Finish: 1. Richie Pratt Jr; 2. Craig VonDohren; 3. Doug Manmiller; 4. H.J. Bunting; 5. Billy Pauch; 6. Scott VanGorder; 7. Jimmy Horton; 8. Scott Ambruster; 9. Kyle Borror; 10. Shawn Ward; 11. Brad Trice; 12. Rocco Infante; 13. Trent Willey; 14. Michael White; 15. David VanHorn; 16. Ernie Miles; 17. Pete Serra; 18. Mark Williams; 19. Jeff Sargent; 20. Matt Jester; 21. Barry White; 22. Kevin Gardner; 23. Ray Swinehart; 24. Rodney Cordrey; 25. Dave Dissinger; 26. Doug Ostwald; 27. Scott Hulmes; 28. Pete Visconti; DNS: Carson Wright. Â 
