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Diamond State 50 STSS Race Day: Delaware International Storylines, Stars & Sleepers

Written by Chris Moore

DELMAR, DE – Diamond State Race Day.

After nearly two months off, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco reignites at Delaware International Speedway tonight.

The Cathell family half-mile oval hosts Round No. 3 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region and the Ollie’s Overall Championship for the STSS.

The storied history of the ‘Diamond State 50’ writes another chapter tonight with a $5,000 top prize at the end of the 50-lap affair.

THE STORYLINES

The ‘Diamond State 50’ has been dominated in recent years by the two kingpins in Modified racing: Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen.

The only driver to upend the pair since 2018 was Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr., who did so just last year for his first career win in the event.

After two months off, the stars of the STSS kick off a jam-packed month of May tonight at Delaware International Speedway.

The ‘Diamond State 50’ is the first of four STSS Modified events taking place in May, including the opening two rounds of the River Valley Builders North Region.

THE STARS

Matt Sheppard most recently won the ‘Diamond State 50’ in 2019, the second of back-to-back wins in the event. Sheppard is the most recent STSS winner at Pa.’s Port Royal Speedway and has won three consecutive events at his home track of Utica-Rome Speedway in N.Y.

As mentioned, Billy Pauch Jr. has been the only driver not named Matt Sheppard or Stewart Friesen to win the ‘Diamond State 50’ since 2018.

Although his STSS campaign has gotten off to a slow start, Pauch Jr. will head to a familiar place with a chance to right the ship.

Very few drivers have opened the season with a stronger start than Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego. Perrego and car owner Vinnie Salerno have formed a formidable duo. Perrego won the 2023 ‘Delaware State Championships’ and has seemingly continued the winning ways ever since.

THE SLEEPERS

Oley, Pa.’s Louden Reimert announced himself to the Modified racing world in major way in the ‘Speed Showcase’ at Port Royal Speedway, finishing on the podium of the $50,000-to-win main. Reimert has run many laps in Southern Delaware in recent years with car owner Don Grebe at the helm.

Covington Township, Pa.’s Alex Yankowski rebounded from a slow start with the STSS to come home ninth at Port Royal Speedway. Yankowski will head to the race he finished runner-up in a season ago, with Tim Millman as the owner this time in search of his first career STSS triumph.

East Greenbush, N.Y.’s Bobby Hackel IV will trek to Delaware International Speedway for the first time. Hackel is no stranger to fast half-mile speedways and will certainly feel right at home with his style fitting right into Delaware International’s character.

ALSO IN ACTION

The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman continue their chase for the Belmont’s Garage South Region title chase.

Round No. 3 of the South Region is a 25-lap affair paying $1,500 to the winner.

The Delmarva Chargers, Delaware Super Trucks, and Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars are also on the docket for 12-lap, features only affairs.

ON THE HORIZON

The STSS rolls along in the busy month of May next Tuesday, May 14, with the River Valley Builders North Region opener at Accord (N.Y.) Speedway.
The STSS Modifieds go for 50-laps for a $9,090.90 top prize in honor of Barry Davis’s No. 9D in his racing days in the ‘Battle of the Bullring.’

Also on the May calendar is a trip to Action Track USA in Kutztown Pa. (May 21), the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman trip to Brookfield (N.Y.) Speedway (May 26), and the inaugural STSS visit to Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh, N.Y. (May 30).

DIRT DRAFT

Don’t forget to set your Dirt Draft lineups before the night’s first heat race begins.

Visit www.dirtdraft.com or download the app to join Dirt Draft and compete against thousands of others for the entire 2024 STSS season. A subscription is just $5.99 a month with plenty of prizes up for grabs in the Dirt Draft Speed Shop.

Following along with the STSS on Dirt Draft throughout the ‘24 season will pay one lucky fan dividends at year-end.

The STSS Dirt Draft Champion receives two tickets to the STSS year-end banquet and will be honored with a custom trophy presented by Dirt Draft.

GATES AND PRICES

For the May 8 event, pit gates open at 3 p.m. with grandstand gates unlocking at 4:30 p.m. Hot laps are slated for 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 7:15 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25 for Adults, $20 for Seniors (ages 65 & up) and Students (ages 13-17), $10 for Kids (ages 9-12), and Children 8 & under are admitted FREE.

Pit admission is $45 (ages 13 & up), $10 for Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children 5 & under.

Pit admission is $45 (ages 13 & up). Kids (ages 6-12) are admitted for $10 and Children ages 5 & under are $2.

HOW TO WATCH

The entire night of racing will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) via the annual subscription.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.

Past ‘Diamond State 50’ Winners
2023: Billy Pauch Jr. (STSS Modified)
2022: Stewart Friesen (STSS Modified)
2021: Stewart Friesen (STSS Modified)
2020: Stewart Friesen (STSS Modified)
2019: Matt Sheppard (STSS Modified)
2018: Matt Sheppard (STSS Modified)
2017: Ryan Watt (STSS Modified)
2016: Stewart Friesen (STSS Modified)
2015: David Van Horn Jr. (STSS Modified)
2005: Danny Johnson (Modified) & David Hill (Late Model)
2004: Ricky Elliott (Modified) & Kenny Pettyjohn (Late Model)
2003: Weather
2002: Jimmy Horton (Modified) & David Hill (Late Model)
2001: Jimmy Horton (Modified vs. Late Model)
2000: Kenny Brightbill (Modified vs. Late Model)
1999: Gary Stuhler (Modified vs. Late Model)

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