3/19/2016
Delaware International Speedway
DIS DISTRIBUTES $50,000 AT 2015 AWARDS BANQUET
By Charlie Brown, Dover, DE – In January a blizzard forced the Delaware International Speedway to postpone its 2015 awards banquet. The event was rescheduled and on Friday night, 400 loyal racers, family and friends gathered at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino for the annual event. $50,000 in cash plus contingencies were distributed to the top ten drivers in the five weekly divisions at the event.
Taking the 2015 points championship in the NAPA Big Block Modifieds was H.J. Bunting of Milford, Del. The division saw 12 different drivers score wins and Bunting’s four wins and consistent finishes in the Jake Marine owed No. 85 was enough to earn him his sixth title in 28 years of competition. Bunting earned 1850 points and $6000 for winning the title. Bobby Watkins of Harrington, Del. had his best year to date finishing in second with 1729 points and Brad Trice of Parsonsburg, Md. rounded out the top three with 1690 points.
Rounding out the top ten with their point totals were: Scott VanGorder, 1675; Michael White, 1504; Matt Hawkins, 1458; Dale Hawkins, 1170; Jordan Watson, 1050; Robert Dutton, 973 and Shawn Ward, 804. Bryan Brasure received the Rookie of the Year award. Trophies were presented by NAPA Auto Parts.
In the S.R Pete & Sons Super Late Models, Donald Lingo, Jr. of Millsboro, Del. moved into sole possession of second place in the all-time champions list for the division winning his sixth championship. Lingo, Jr. drove his Lingo Marine Ford prepared by his father to four wins which included the Big Block vs. Super Late Models Showdown and earned 1765 points and $6000. Nick Davis of Gumboro, Del. had his best season to date finishing a close second with 1680 points and Herb Tunis of Georgetown, Del. also turned in his personal best finishing in third with 1669.
Fourth through tenth were: Ricky Elliott, 1574; Dylan Evans, 1355; Kellie Lewis, 1200; Bob Geiger, 1126; Staci Warrington, 1110; Amanda Whaley, 1035 and Andrew Mullins, 795. Dylan Evans had a stellar season to earn Rookie of the Year honors and Delaware International may be the only track in the nation to have three female Super Late Model drivers finish in the top ten in their season points. Trophies were presented by S.R. Pete & Sons HVAC.
Earning his first championship in the AC Delco PSC 620 Sportsman was Scott Hitchens of Gumboro. Hitchens scored only one victory but will 11 other drivers getting wins during the year, Hitchens’ consistency would pay off in one the closest point battles ever. Hitchens, driving for Jake Marine for the first time, earned 1548 points just four points ahead of Jordn Justice of Laurel, Del. with 1544 and Brandon Watkins of Harrington with 1543. Hitchens’s championship was worth $1600.
Finishing fourth through tenth were: Dwayne Crockett, 1494; Kevin Sockriter, 1408; Carson Wright, 1463; Devin Dodson, 1433; Danny Smack, 1102; Ryan Tarr, 837 and Westley Smith, 768. By finishing sixth in points Carson Wright was the highest finishing driver that was under 18 at the start of the season and was presented with the Kyle Dixon Youth Achievement Award. Devin Dodson, who got his first win in the Fall Championship was the Rookie of the Year by finishing seventh overall in the standings. Trophies were presented by R.C. Holloway, Co.
Matt Hill of Georgetown earned his third championship in four years in the Crate Model division in his family owned Lynch’s Towing/Courtland Manor car. Hill earned 1850 and $1600 from the point fund. Sparky White of Delmar finished second in the standings with 1639 points and former champion, Tyler Reed of Milton, Del. rounded out the to three with 1625.
Fourth through tenths in the Crate Models were: Billy Thompson, 1483; Charles Shawver, 1462; Mike Wilson, 1459; Steven Baker, 1248; Zac Weller, 942; Derek Magee, 923 and Alessa Young, 829. Rookie of the Year honors went to Shawver with his fifth place finish in the standings. Trophies were presented by Gordon Food Services.
Tim White of Salisbury, Md. collected his second point championship in the Mod Lite division in his Plum Creek Farms/Edge Racecars No. 16. White’s third win late I the season allowed him to hold off James Hill of Laurel who recorded an impressive 11 wins. White earned 1724 points and $1200 for his championship. Hill was second with 1654 points and Jason Musser of Laurel had his best season to date finishing third with 1619 points.
Finishing fourth through tenth were: Ryan Dryden, 1356; Jake Nelson, 1336; Kirk Miles, 1253; James Wood, 1128; Nick Sapp, 1103; Curt Miles, Jr. 1074 and Harry Mears, 1048. Trophies were presented by Pepsi Bottling Ventures. There were no rookies in the division in 2015.
Champions received championship jackets from Lias Tire & American Racer plus other contingencies and custom designed trophies that included a sample of the clay surface that they had competed on. Delmarva Charger driver, Tina Nelson won a John Deere pressure washer curtesy of Taylor & Messick. Special thanks and plaques went to the 2015 Delaware International Speedway Money Trail sponsors including: AC Delco and RC Holloway, Co.; American Racer and Lias Tire Racing Division; Delmarva Drivers Club; Delmarva NAPA Auto Parts; Elliott Farms; GFS Marketplace; Hoosier Tire Mid Atlantic; Insinger Performance, Inc. K&B Auto; The Metal Shop; Pepsi Bottling Co. of Salisbury, Md.; PnR Auto Center; Pro Race Cars; S.R. Pete & Sons HVAC; Taylor & Messick John Deere and Why Not Travel & Carolyn Parsons.
Fans will be able to get a preview of the 2016 season on April 9th with Tune & Test Night. Gates open at 5 p.m. with the Tune & Test running from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The 2016 season will get the green flag on Saturday night, April 16th. It will be “the Town of Delmar Night� with anyone with a picture I.D. with either a Delmar, Del. or Delmar, Md. address admitted to the spectator side for free.
