6/17/2018
Delaware International Speedway
BUNTING COMMITS TO THE WIN IN H.A.S. BIG BLOCKS
Delmar, Delaware- HJ Bunting benefited from an early race wreck that collected many top contending cars to win his first Hurlock Auto and Speed Big Block Modified feature of the 2018 season.
“I was committed to the high line and he (Joseph Watson) came up on my nose. I’m sorry for it, but I was there,� said Bunting in victory lane regarding the lap two incident.
Howard O’Neal started on the pole position but was quickly being challenged by the dueling battle of Joseph Watson and Bunting.
By lap two, Joseph Watson was on inside of Bunting on the backstretch battling for the lead when Joseph Watson and Bunting made contact. Joseph Watson immediately was directed head on into the backstretch wall with a full field speeding off the second corner.
Jordan Watson, Brad Trice, Shawn Ward, and Bobby Watkins were quickly engulfed into the incident with Trice rolling multiple times, Ward ending on his side, Watkins with a destroyed rear end, and Jordan Watson with a mangled racecar. All drivers were okay from the vicious wreck.
After a brief delay to clear the carnage, Bunting set pace over Richie Pratt, Jr., O’Neal, and a battling Robert Dutton and Jim Britt.
Only one additional caution would fly in the event, with Kevin Sockriter spinning on lap nine.
On the restart, Britt began challenging Pratt for second, with O’Neal and Matt Hawkins racing side by side for fourth.
On lap 17, O’Neal and Hawkins touched on the back stretch, with Hawkins making a quick right-hand turn into the pits.
Bunting remained unchallenged with Pratt, Britt, O’Neal, and Dutton rounding out the top five.
Jordan Watson was the only car involved in the lap two incident that was able to continue and salvaged a seventh-place finish with extensive body damage.
With a month full of rain, no weekly racing, and the highly anticipated Camp Barnes event slated for the upcoming week, a full field of modifieds were on hand, including many invaders from the New Jersey area.
Uniquely, the weather and schedules have allowed drivers like Jim Britt to compete at all points events at Delaware International and Bridgeport Speedway this season. Next Saturday is scheduled to be the first conflicting event, where Britt will need to decide where he will continue his championship hopes; Delaware or New Jersey.
Hurlock Auto and Speed Big Block Modified Feature Finish:HJ BUNTING, Richie Pratt, Jr., Jim Britt, Howard O’Neal, Robert Dutton, Westley Smith, Jordan Watson, Clay Tatman, Ron Roberts, Brandon Watkins, Jordn Justice, Kevin Gardner, TJ Williams, Carson Wright, Matt Hawkins, Scott VanGorder, Kevin Sockriter, Joseph Watson, Brad Trice, Bobby Watkins, Shawn Ward, Dave Shirk, DNS: Dale Hawkins, Mike White
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