Delaware Speedway: August 13 results and recap

LONDON, ON - Heat races proved painful for leaders in both NASCAR Late Models and Demar Aggregates Trucks on Mobil Striping and Sweeping night.  Both Ron Sheridan and Paul Fothergill experienced hits that threatened to take them out of the running for the feature races. 

The first NASCAR Late Model heat proved bumpier than usual for Ron Sheridan after his #52 went low on Rick Emery (14) and after a little slip-and-slide, the 52 actually rode up on the 14.  The 28 of Steve Robblee was caught up in the process.  Robblee, out of championship contention because of a few weeks off to recover from a back injury, headed directly to pit road and despite some fast and furious work by his crew, he wasn’t able to return. Sheridan’s crew got the 52 back out in time for green in the heat and told our announcers he was hoping to get a top ten finish in the feature.

The NASCAR Late Model heats and feature race marked the return of Jay Christie (5) following recovery for an injury he incurred while on summer vacation.

Jesse Kennedy (10) had the pole and earlier in the pits, Kennedy had told us he was happy with the car. That happiness was backed up by the 10’s performance. By almost a third of the way into the 25 lapper, Kennedy had a three-car-length-and-increasing lead over Matt Pritiko (21) and Andrew Gresel (81), who were running super close.  At lap 12, that closeness turned into a spin for Pritiko and the race’s first yellow flag from Sharpie. Gresel inherited second spot and Jamie Cox (00) third.

However, 16 laps in another yellow went up as Cox did a 360 on turn two, giving up third to Scott Lindsay (20).  Three laps later, Matt Box (27) and Jamie Ramsay (22) tangled on turn 3.  Box pitted while Ramsay stayed out.

Ron Sheridan’s 52 was looking none the worse for earlier wear.  He started the race 13 and by lap 28 had a little contact with Lindsay and took over third spot. 

Lap 31, another wave of Sharpie’s yellow for Christie and his dragging bumper following possible contact on turn three. He pitted quickly and was back out with a naked back end on the #5 for the final 4 laps.

The restart was short-lived as Gord Shepherd (10x) visited the cement barrier below the Echo Outdoor Power Equipment sign off turn one.

Kennedy’s domination held on through the checkered flag and right to Victory Lane.  Gresel finished second and Sheridan third.

In the second Demar Aggregates Trucks heat, Fothergill (33) tangled with Jordon Dupuis (75) on turn two, leaving the 33 with its back axle busted off.  His return for the feature race was in question until the pace truck took to the track but Fothergill made it out and made out well.

Chad Rijnen (16) had the pole and despite the troublesome start to his night and starting in 15th position, Fothergill worked his way up to second. Michelle Koricina, hungry for a second feature win in 2010 was running third when the first caution was called at lap 14.  The 56 of Jeff Showler appeared to take turn two too hard and despite wobbling toward and away from the cement wall all followers avoided hitting him although there were some very close calls.

A lap later Tom Zagorodny’s 77 blew the right front tire and sent off some pretty impressive sparks as he moved like a slow-rolling fireworks display toward the pits, causing Sharpie to throw another yellow.

The 75 of Jordon Dupuis took a spin off turn two at lap 17, bringing out another brief caution.

A tight quartet of Rijnen, Fothergill, Koricina and Gary Adrieansen (55) owned the top of the pack for the next few laps.  At lap 20, Adrieansen saved it after a swerve on the back straightaway but it didn’t last and caught up Jordan Dupuis (75).  Caution for a fourth time.

Fothergill got a bumper on Rijnen a half dozen times but couldn’t quite close the deal. Rijnen took the checkered flag – the first feature win for this truck.  Fothergill and Koricina followed in second and third, respectively.

Three leaders in the first three laps of the Powerade Modified 25-lap feature race: Tony Viera (6) to start, Darrell Limon (54) in the first half-lap and a lap-and-a-half later, Justin Demelo (82).

A caution was called at lap 14 because of a spin by the 70 of John Saunders.  A double-file restart put Barry Newman (1) on the inside but Demelo hung onto the lead. Jamie Cox worked his way from 8th to 3rd by the 15 lap mark as Newman continued to work on edging out Demelo.

The top 3 tightened up by lap 22 but Demelo took the win – his first feature win in Powerade Modifieds.  Barry Newman came second and Jamie Cox, third.

NASCAR Late Model Heat #1 winner: Jamie Cox (00). Heat #2 winner: Matt Pritiko (21).

Demar Aggregates Trucks Heat #1 winner: Chad Rijnen (16).  Heat #2 winner: Jeff Showler (56).

Powerade Modified Heat #1 winner: Justin Demelo (82). Heat #2 winner: Barry Newman (1).

Tomorrow night, Saturday August 14th, bring your Delaware Classic weekend (ISMA Super Modified) ticket stub and get in for half-price!

The night’s racing is sponsored by South End Truck Centre and features Transmission Direct Enduro and Ultimate Sandblasting and Coating Chaos Cars. 

Competitors in Transmission Direct Enduro will run two 125-lap races, the second of which will be a Top Dog Showdown with additional prize money and opportunity for qualifying racers. Drivers who recorded a lap less than 24 seconds on the DelaNET scoring system either during the first feature or during any other Transmission Direct Enduro Saturday event in 2010 will be designated Top Dogs. 

Drivers who have not run this season, but are deemed to be cars capable of laying down laps less than 24 seconds will also be designated Top Dogs.  These drivers will be held on pit road for the first two laps of the second race and released from the dog pound when the leader begins their second lap.

The Top Dog Showdown has $2,400 in prize money allocated towards it and both races count for full Transmission Direct Enduro Championship points

From Delaware Speedway / Lisa Brandt