9/6/2015
Delaware International Speedway
MATT HAWKINS CAPTURES ALL STAR 520 BIG BLOCK MAIN FOR 2ND WIN OF 2015
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – The Delaware International Speedway put a little twist on the regular weekly program with Saturday night’s All Star 520. The format for the night consisted of all 20 lap features that were broken down into five lap segments. A lucky fan drew the starting lineup for each feature and cars at the end of the field were eliminated after each five lap segment leaving three cars for a final five lap dash to win the event. Picking up victories were Matt Hawkins in the NAPA Big Block Modifies, Ricky Elliott in the S.R. Pete & Sons Late Models; Jordn Justice in the AC Delco PSC Modifieds; Matt Hill in the Crate Models and James Hill in the Mod Lites. John Stevenson ended Mel Joseph, Jr.’s win streak at five in the 12-lap regular Little Lincoln Vintage feature.
The luck of the draw would put Matt Hawkins on the pole for the NAPA Big Block main. Hawkins would jump out to the early lead with H.J. Bunting charging hard in second. Bobby Watkins would climb to third by the end of the first segment. The field was shortened by two cars and restarted with Hawkins on the point in the Delaware start.
The order of the top three remained the same through the second five lap segment with Brad Trice holding fourth and Scott VanGorder and Dale Hawkins making the final two transfer spots. Watkins got by Bunting at the start of the third segment with Trice following into third. At the end of lap 15 the top trio of Matt Hawkins, Watkins and Trice advanced and Bunting, VanGorder and Dale Hawkins headed to the pits.
Matt had his car dancing in the high groove and he was able to open a comfortable lead and drive to his second career win. Watkins finished a solid second and Trice third. “The track was really tight,� said Hawkins. “I can’t feel my left arm. We weren’t going to come tonight because the engine is not up to par.� That statement proved true as when Hawkins pull away from victory lane to return to the pits a large puddle off oil was left by the car.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Matt Hawkins; 2. Bobby Watkins; 3. Brad Trice; 4. HJ Bunting; 5. Scott VanGorder; 6. Dale Hawkins; 7. Kyle Fuller; 8. Michael White; 9. Robert Dutton; 10. Dave Schamp.
