6/8/2020
Delaware International Speedway
Watson & Lingo Headline Opening Night
Delmar, Delaware- The energy and excitement was palpable as Delaware dirt track racing
resumed Saturday night under strict, state-mandated guidelines and restrictions in light of the
COVID-19 pandemic at Charlie Cathell’s half-mile oval.
Joseph Watson and Donald Lingo, Jr. were the headline winners defeating reigning champions,
Jordan Watson and Amanda Robinson, respectively.
It was a battle to get to the lead when the green flag waved for the Big Block Modifieds, as
polesitter Pat Walls, Joseph Watson and Jordan Watson went three-wide into the first corner.
Joseph Watson prevailed with Walls, Jordan Watson, and HJ Bunting scavenging for the second
position.
Joseph Watson blistered the top-side of the racing surface, while brother Jordan, experimented
with every groove on the track to try to run down the top position. With ten laps remaining,
Ricky Elliott began challenging HJ Bunting for third, who ultimately succumbed to parts failure.
Elliott began running down Jordan Watson, but would eventually run out of time.
Despite a handful of restarts and late-race lapped traffic, Joseph Watson captured the first
checkered flag of the season with Jordan Watson in the Brent Hall- owned No. 18 and Ricky
Elliott in Gary Simpson’s No. 12K in tow. Robert Dutton and Pat Walls rounded out the top-five.
Watson was excited in victory lane to finally get back to “normalcy� at the race track and
finishing his first event of the year, after having misfortune during Florida Speedweeks and an
early-season event at nearby Georgetown Speedway.
Unfortunately, Carson Wright who won his heat race was scheduled to start in the second
position, did not start the feature event with mechanical failure. A solid 24 cars were on hand
for the Saturday-night event.
Donald Lingo, Jr. dominated the 20-lap Super Late Model feature event from the pole position,
extending his lead over Amanda Robinson nearly a straightway. The previous track champion
was smooth and consistent in his family-owned No. 55L. Amanda Robinson, Roy Deese, Jr.,
Kerry King, and Nick Davis rounded out the top five.
The AC Delco Modified division arguably produced one of the most exciting races of the night,
with Adam White holding off the hard-charging Scott Hitchens. Hitchens started deep in the
field and as expected, coasted around the top of the track, picking off his competitors one-by-
one. With five laps remaining, a late race caution regrouped the field with Hitchens up to the
third position. Over the next five laps, Hitchens tracked down A. White, with a drag race off
turn four for the checkered. Adam White edged out Hitchens, with Dwayne Crockett, Michael
White, and James Hill rounding out the top five.
Matt Hill picked up where he left off in the 2019 season, piloting the Courtland Manor No. 84 to
victory in the RUSH Late Model division. Zac Weller defeated Sparky White to the line by a nose,
with Derek Magee and Jason Dean rounding out the top five. Noteworthy, Austin Hubbard was
new to the driver roster, driving for the Klink family. Hubbard finished just outside the top five
in the sixth position for his debut.
Defending Modified Lite champion Ray Gulliver was in the right place at the right time, as
leaders Jerry Barker and Jason Musser tangled with two laps remaining. Gulliver captured the
victory over Jake Nelson, Curt Miles, Jr., and Danny Smack, with Musser recovering to the fifth
position.
Chris “Tippy� Martinez continued his success in the Delmarva Chargers division, taking the
checkered flag.
Racing will resume at Delaware International on a unique Friday night edition for a bonus pay
out. The Cathell family appreciates all the state and local government officials, racers, and fans
for their support and consideration with new processes and procedures to promote everyone’s
safety.
Delaware Dirt Modifieds: JOSEPH WATSON, Jordan Watson, Ricky Elliott, Robert Dutton, Pat
Walls, Brandon Watkins, Don Cogdill, Neal Williams, Ryan Riddle, Howard O’Neal, Clay Tatman,
Jordn Justice, Jeff Brown, Wesley Smith, HJ Bunting, Dylan Swinehart, Matt Hawkins, John
Bailey, David Shirk, Brett Ballard, Dale Hawkins. DNS: Carson Wright, Kevin Sockriter, Kevin
Gardner
Super Late Models: DONALD LINGO, JR., Amanda Robinson, Roy Deese, Jr., Kerry King, Nick
Davis, Rob Schirmer, Trevor Collins, David Dill, Jr., Mark Pettyjohn
AC Delco Crate Modifieds: ADAM WHITE, Scott Hitchens, Dwayne Crockett, Michael White,
James Hill, Sean Metz, Greg Humlhanz, David Jenkins, Bryan Brobst, Robbie Riley, Greg Reed,
Freddy Massey, Paul Griffin, Greg Nailor, Jr., Jeff Marker, Robert Messick, Justin Riley, Jordan
Long
Modified Lites: RAY GULLIVER, Jake Nelson, Curt Miles, Jr., Danny Smack, Jason Musser, Curt
Miles, Sr., Kyle Hathaway, Jerry Barker, Jacob King, Wesley Smack, Nick Nash, Chris Sockriter
RUSH Crate Model: MATT HILL, Zac Weller, Sparky White, Derek Magee, Jason Dean, Austin
Hubbard, Dana Walker, Joe Warren, Jeremy Pilkerton, Mike Wharton, Geoff Carey, Billy
Thompson, Jonathon Raley, Charles Schawver, Joe Pete, David Smith, Robert Smith, James
Sparks, Ben Scott. DNS: Curtis Reed
Little Lincoln: KIRK LAWSON, Joe Tracy, Matt White, Bunky White, Jordan Herbert, Bryan Piercy,
AJ Mitchell, Wayne Seaton, Sean Smith, Scott Calhoun, Todd Sammons