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DALE HAWKINS GETS CAREER 1ST IN BIG BLOCK - JORDAN WATSON TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP

By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – The final point night of racing at the Delaware International Speedway that lasted into the early morning hours produced some wild and scary action and some new winners on Saturday night. Scoring his first career NAPA Big Block Modified win after many seasons of trying was Dale Hawkins. Joe Warren would avoid a vicious early race crash in the Super Late Models to post his first career win in the division three tight point battles were settled.

 

In the 25-lap Big Block main, three cars had a mathematical chance at the championship at the start. High winds throughout the day had created a hard but smooth and slick track surface for the features which played more to handling than to horsepower. Hawkins started on the pole and quickly settled into a rhythm with Mike White giving chase in second and Scott VanGorder in third. H.J. Bunting was one of the drivers with a chance at the crown and was quickly up into the fourth spot. His chance would end just before halfway when the rear suspension broke on the car and he pulled to the infield.

Matt Jester was now up to fourth and Beau Wilkins in fifth. The race would play into the hands of Hawkins by staying green from lap two on. Jamie Mills, who started the race second in points was working his way towards the top five with point leader, Jordan Watson in tow. Hawkins would make now mistakes and take the win with White finishing a season’s best in second. VanGorder held off the challenges of Matt Jester to finish in third and Mills got by Wilkins to finish in fifth but it was not enough to catch Watson for the championship.

“This has been a long time coming,� said Hawkins in victory lane. “This is a good way to go out. Next year I want to focus my attention on my son Matt who came close to picking up this year.�

Taking the “King of Kings� in the Big Blocks was Bobby Watkins who held off a final turn charge by Jamie Mills.

NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Dale Hawkins; 2. Michael White; 3. Scott VanGorder; 4. Matt Jester; 5. Jamie Mills; 6. Jordan Watson; 7. Beau Wilkins; 8. Bobby Watkins; 9. Brad Trice; 10. Shawn Ward; 11. Kevin Gardner; 12. Matt Hawkins; 13. HJ Bunting; DNS: Drew Simmons. 

 

 

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