4/14/2016
Delaware International Speedway
SOLID FIELD OF NAPA BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS ANTICIPATED FOR SATURDAY NIGHT’S OPENER
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE – “Delmar Night� is shaping up to be a great opening night of racing this Saturday night, April 16th at the Delaware International Speedway. With DIS being the only track in the area running the big blocks a strong contingent of invaders is expected.
Six-time champion, H.J. Bunting of Milford, Del. will have his work cut out for him as former three-time champion Jamie Mills and his nephew, former DIS champion, Jordan Watson will both return for hometown bragging rights. Mills won the opener last season while Watson ended the season with a Fall Championship win. Both ran the regular season at the Bridgeport Speedway.
Bridgeport regular and second generation driver, Richie Pratt, Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J. has indicated he will be in attendance on Saturday night. Pratt, Jr. in no stranger to the tacky half-mile and was the winner of the Small Block Modified Fall Championship last season. Former feature winner in the division, Howard O’Neal of Lincoln, Del. has also indicated that he will be returning in 2016 on a regular basis.
Monday night’s Tune & Test previewed some new young talent moving into the division. Brandon Watkins of Harrington, Del. will be joining his father Bobby in the big blocks and will be running for Rookie of the Year honors after being a former Rookie of the Year in the AC Delco PSC 602 Sportsmen and third overall in those standings last year. Also getting around well on Monday night were Kevin Sockriter of Seaford, Del. and Carson Wright of Georgetown, Del. All three of these drivers finished in the top ten in points last season in the AC Delco division.
Other big block drivers on hand on Monday night included defending champing H.J. Bunting, Michael White (whose son will be a rookie in the AC Delco class this season), Bobby Watkins, Scott VanGorder and Dale Hawkins. Other drivers that finished in the top ten in points last season that are expected included Brad Trice, Beau Wilkins, Matt Hawkins, Robert Dutton, Shawn Ward, Dana Walker, Dave Dissinger, Kyle Fuller, Drew Simmons and Trent Willey.
Saturday night gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m. Opening night anyone with a Delmar, Del. or a Delmar, Md. picture I.D. will be admitted to the spectator side free of charge!
