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WILKINS DOMINATES NAPA BIG BLOCKS

By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE (10/1/11) – Second generation driver, Beau Wilkins started off the season by winning the NAPA Big Block Modified opener at the Delaware International Speedway. After posting consistent solid finishes all season long, Wilkins found himself back in victory lane following Saturday night’s 25 lap main.

 

Wilkins started third in the lineup but put the hammer down at the drop of the green moving past both Brad Trice and Tim Trimble to take the lead. With a light mist in the air the Delaware clay was tacky on top and Wilkins powered away from the pack in the early laps.

 

Trice quickly worked into the second spot and Jamie Mills was on the move taking third by lap three. Matt Jester sat in the fourth spot while Kenny Brightbill moved into fifth. Mills dropped Trice to third on lap eight but was unable to close on Wilkins. The race remained green through the halfway point with Wilkins still pulling away and the order of the top five remained unchanged.

 

The only caution of the event came on lap 16 when NASCAR crewman, Kevin White in the Tom Sparks No. 410 lost and engine and caught fire. Safety crews were quickly on the scene and White climbed from the car uninjured.

 

Wilkins went back to setting the pace on the green as Jester moved into third and Brightbill followed into fourth. Trice locked into a good battle for the fifth spot with H.J. Bunting who had climbed from tenth after the ten car inversion.

 

Wilkins was smooth and fast for the rest of the distance as he collected his second checkered of the season. Mills finished in the second spot with Jester third. Fourth went to Brightbill and Trice held on for fifth. Heats were won by Howard O’Neal and Bunting.

 

RESULTS: NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Beau Wilkins; 2. Jamie Mills; 3. Matt Jester; 4. Kenny Brightbill; 5. Brad Trice; 6. HJ Bunting; 7. Robert Dutton; 8. Tim Trimble; 9. Michael White; 10. Eric Kormann; 11. Howard ONeal; 12. Scott Amburster Jr; 13. Scott Van Gorder; 14. George Richardson; 15. Larry Crouse; 16. Kevin White; 17. Shawn Ward; 18. Dale Hawkins.

 

 

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