9/18/2016
Delaware International Speedway
HAWKINS FAMILY ONE-TWO AGAIN IN DELAWARE BIG BLOCKS
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – The Delaware International Speedway hosted it’s All Star 520’s format sponsored by L&J Sheet Metal on Saturday night. The event featured five 20-lap features for the five weekly divisions that were divided into five lap segments. At the end of each segment, cars were eliminated until only four cars remained for the final five laps. Last year, Matt Hawkins won the NAPA Big Block Modified segment of the night and this year he ran second to his father making the race a family favorite.
Qualifying heats were eliminated and starting lineups were determined by the luck of the draw performed by a fan from the grandstands. In the 20-lap NAPA Big Block Modified feature, Dale Hawkins started on the pole and his son Matt started last in 15th.
Dale pulled away from the field right from the start and at the end of the first five lap segment, was followed by Brad Trice, H.J. Bunting, Scottie Ambruster, Jr. and Brandon Watkins in the top five.
By halfway the top three remained the same with Robert Dutton fourth and Matt Hawkins cracking the top five. The field was now down to eight cars and Matt was still on the charge. He took the third spot on lap eleven as Bunting dropped to fifth behind Dutton and one spot out of the transfer to the final five laps.
At the end of the third segment on lap fifteen, Matt had just pulled into the second spot and Bunting had gotten back by Dutton to get the final transfer. “Dad� was not to be denied and drove a flawless final five laps to post his third win of the season. Matt’s No. 38 was starting to whiff smoke and settled for second with Trice third and Bunting fourth.
“Last year Matt won this race,� said the elder Hawkins. “Tonight we kept it in the family. I would like to thank the fan who drew my number for the pole.�
NAPA Big Block Modified finish: 1. Dale Hawkins; 2. Matt Hawkins; 3. Brad Trice; 4. H.J. Bunting; 5. Dave Dissinger; 6. Scott Ambruster, Jr.; 7. Robert Dutton; 8. Brandon Watkins; 9. Scott VanGorder; 10. Kevin Sockriter; 11. Howard O’Neal; 12. Westley Smith; 13. Matthew Peck; 14. Shawn Ward; 15. Machael White.
