8/21/2016
Delaware International Speedway
HAWKINS FAMILY SWEEPS BIG BLOCK FALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER ON MIDLANTIC MACHINERY NIGHT
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – Over a hundred cars filled the pits for Saturday night’s Midlantic Machinery of Laurel, Del. Night at the Delaware International Speedway. It was “all in the family� in the 30-lap NAPA Big Block Modified Fall Championship Qualifier as the top two finishers were father and son.
Dale Hawkins started on the pole in the Big Block main and set the pace at the green. Howard O’Neal looked like a contender as he powered into second with Michael White running in third. Carson Wright was on the move in the high groove and took third just before the yellow flew as Dave Dissinger came to a stop.
On the restart, O’Neal pulled to the infield and Robert Dutton slowed with a flat bringing the yellow out for the second and final time in the race. On the restart Matt Hawkins got by Wright and set his aim on his father.
The Hawkins’ would settle into a rhythm in the high groove and began to work traffic as they pulled away from everyone with the exception of Wright. Wright’s engine let go with three to go and Brad Trice, who was making his return after being absent for most of the season was now in the third spot.
In the end, the younger Hawkins would not have anything for his father who would pick up his second win of the year. “I love racing at this place,� said Dale Hawkins. “and Danny Fieldler makes and great engine and does it for about a third of what the other builders charge.�
Trice finished in the third spot with White fourth and Shawn Ward rounding out the top five. Heats were won by O’Neal and Matt Hawkins.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Dale Hawkins; 2. Matt Hawkins; 3. Brad Trice; 4. Michael White; 5. Shawn Ward; 6. Scott VanGorder; 7. Dave Dissinger; 8. Kyle Fuller; 9. Kevin Sockriter; 10. Robert Dutton; 11. Brandon Watkins; 12. Kevin Gardner; 13. Carson Wright; 14. Westley Smith; 15. Dave Schamp; 16. H.J. Bunting; 17. Howard O’Neal.
