8/7/2016
Delaware International Speedway
NICK NASH FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH AND GRABS HIS FIRST CAREER WIN IN MOD LITES AT DIS
By Chad Cathell – In yet another week hampered by Mother Nature, Delaware International Speedway found themselves in a bit of a slimy situation come time for track run in. At 6 o’clock just as the drivers came together for the drivers meeting the skies opened up and drenched an already wet racetrack. However, track crews wouldn’t be fazed as they banded together and kept pushing through the wet weather. When the rains stopped Hal Cathell, hopped out of his water truck, and climbed into the backup grader in an attempt to help his brother, Charlie Cathell, in his legendary yellow grader start turning the clay up, in hopes of drying the track as quickly as possible.
After about an hour of extra track preparation, track crews pulled their equipment from the speedway, and cars took to the track for the Norris Bryan Memorial Race. It was apparent that speedway was nowhere near what it usually is for track run in. After multiple laps around the speedway, Charlie Cathell called an emergency drivers meeting to ask drivers their thoughts. Collectively, the drivers banded together, hopped back into their cars, and went out for another track run in session. After about an hour and forty-five minute delay, it was time for hot laps sessions. The track would stay greasy, but after a few hot lap sessions and heats, the track was in prime condition for feature events, and an extended intermission for track prep was not necessary.
First out onto the track for feature events was the Modified Lite division, and it was Virginia’s “21 Crew� leading the field to the green with five of their team cars in the first six positions. Harry Mears would lead the cars to the green, but by the time the cars had circled the ½ mile oval it was Nick Nash to the front. Nash would start to pull away, but not without James Wood following close by with Aaron VanVorst and Tim White in tow. Wood, VanVorst, and White would battle tightly for a few laps, with VanVorst making his way around on lap five, and White on lap six. On lap seven, White would move into the second position, and VanVorst would drop to third.
James Hill and Brandon Dennis had worked their starting spots of 10th and eighth starting, respectively, and Hill was looking for third from VanVorst, but after making a dive-bomb into the third turn to get past VanVorst, Hill found himself facing the other way around when the two cars came together. The caution would fly, and the field would tighten up, and Nick Nash knew he had some heavy hitters behind him. He pulled his belts tight one last time, and off he went, holding off strong charges from Brandon Dennis and Tim White. When the white flag flew Brandon Dennis, had an engine expire while running second, and he made the left hand turn into the infield. That left Nash to worry about Tim White, and the hard charging James Hill that had made his way from last to fourth. Hill however would run out of time as the checkered flag would fly at it was Nick Nash, picking up his first career win in the modified lite division!
Heats were won by Curt Miles Jr and James Hill
REMINDER! The World of Outlaws Late Models roll into town on Thursday night! Gates open at 4 pm with racing starting at 7. We will be CLOSED on Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway, but will be having a special Saturday night event at the US 13 Dragway, so come on out! Gates open at 2 pm, with racing action start at 3:30!Â
Modified Lites Finish (15 Laps) – 1. Nick Nash, 2. James Hill, 3. Tim White, 4. Ryan Dryden, 5. James Wood, 6. Kirk Miles Sr., 7. Brian Short, 8. Harry Mears. DNF – Brandon Dennis (14 Laps), Aaron VanVorst (7 laps), Curt Miles Jr. (7 Laps), Brandon Sturgis (4 Laps), Jake Nelson (3 Laps), Jimmy Wills (1 lap)
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