10/21/2018
Delaware International Speedway
LINGO LEVELS THE COMPETITION TO CAPTURE FIRST DEL. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SUPER LATE MODEL WIN
Donald Lingo, Jr., continued his strong season, redrawing the pole position and leading wire-to-wire to win the 50-lap Delaware State Dirt Track Championship Super Late Model feature event with significant action occurring behind him.
“It seems like the Champ Show and Camp Barnes eludes us, so it is nice to finally get this win,� said Lingo about his first ever Champ Show victory. “My Dad builds a hell of a motor and this car has been fast all year.�
Lingo developed a commanding lead at the start of the race with two-wide racing for each position behind him. Super late model standouts of Ross Robinson and Austin Hubbard, Ricky Elliott and Nick Davis, and Mark Pettyjohn and Amanda Whaley, each paired up to battle two-wide for their respective position within the first 10 laps.
On lap 13, Nick Davis spun on the restart while running just outside the top five.
On the next restart, Robinson began putting the pressure on Lingo going to the top of the racetrack, with Hubbard following in suit.
On lap 20, Ricky Elliott’s night would go up in smoke, as a terminal issue occurred in his No. 85 machine.
The battle would heat up, as Robinson and Hubbard continued to battle door to door for the runner up position. Meanwhile, Pettyjohn was getting cranked up on the topside of the racing surface, ultimately challenging Hubbard for second. Pettyjohnwould slip off the embankment and lose his gained positions.
With five laps remaining, Hubbard, Pettyjohn, and Robinson single filed and began tracking down Lingo in a hurry. Hubbard would reach the bumper of Lingo, but would not be able to complete the pass, with Lingo capturing his first ever Delaware Dirt Track Championship victory. Hubbard, Pettyjohn, Robinson, and Whaley rounded out the top five.
“You could run all over the track tonight,� complimented Austin Hubbard of Cathell’s track surface. “It is rare that you can decide where you are going to race on the track. Usually it is already decided for you.�
In post-race interviews, Pettyjohn reported running a hard race, but used his tires up trying to get to the front. “Track position got us tonight.�
Of note, Ross Robinson ran triple duty, in the super late models, RUSH crate late models, and vintage division. Amanda Whaley, Nick Davis, and Kevin Scott, Jr. ran double-duty in back-to-back features, as well.
Matt Hill and Ross Robinson put on an epic battle for the RUSH Late Model 25-lap feature event. Ross Robinson quickly split three cars on the first start to dive into the second position, keeping Hill in sights. By lap three, Robinson dove to the bottom of Hill to make the pass for the lead.
2018 Champion, Matt Hill, stayed on the bumper of Robinson, peaking to the bottom of Robinson in turns one and two. The two stayed door-to-door for another circuit with Hill sliding in front of Robinson and making contact on the backstretch. Hill took over the lead and began extending his lead.
With less than five laps remaining, the leaders were hitting heavy lapped traffic. On lap 22, Robinson tangled with a lapped car and ended his hopes of victory. Hill was victorious over Derek Magee, Sparky White, David Pettyjohn and Nick Davis.
“Ross and I joked this week that if I had to use the door, I’ll have to use it, but I did not think that I would really need to. I guess I’ll have to go buy him a beer tomorrow,� said Hill in regard to the pass for the lead.
Ross Robinson won an emotional race in the vintage division, as Robinson has been racing for Mark “Coot� Williams, in his honor this season. “This is the first win Coot has missed, so this is for him. That guy is a fighter,� said Robinson in victory lane. Jamie Eicholz won the sportsman portion of the vintage series.
S.R. Pete & Sons Super Late Model Feature Finish:DONALD LINGO, JR., Austin Hubbard, Mark Pettyjohn, Ross Robinson, Amanda Whaley, Herb Tunis, Kerry King, Danny Snyder, Kevin Scott, Jr., Dylan Evans, Kellie Lewis, Bob Geiger, David Dill, Nick Davis, Ricky Elliott, Rob Schirmer, Michael Wilkins
RUSH Late Model Feature Finish: MATT HILL, Derek Magee, Sparky White, David Pettyjohn, Nick Davis, Amanda Whaley, Brandon Sturgis, Trevor Collins, Zac Weller, Billy Thompson, Jason Dean, Cody Dawson, Kevin Scott, Jr., Cory Lawler, Joe Pete, Charles Shawver, Chace Biron, Wes Clifton, Mike Wharton, Ross Robinson, Mike Wilson, Kerry King, Jr., Richard Harden, Joe Warren, Timmy Booth, Robert Smith
Vintage Feature Finish: ROSS ROBINSON, CJ Schirmer, Jamie Eicholz, Mike Covey, LJ Walbert, Robert Pac, John Burton, Wayne Roth, Jamie Schirmer, David Tucker, Sr., Freddy Brightbill, Dave Schamp
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