8/10/2020
Delaware International Speedway
Delaware International Speedway Honors Jake Marine
Delmar, Delaware- Family, friends, and fans came together to celebrate the life of the late Jake Marine on Saturday, August 8th, which would have been Marine’s 74th birthday. Marine was a lifelong supporter of Delaware racing and the owner of the famed No. 85 modified.
It was only fitting that Marine’s most recent driver, HJ Bunting, redrew the pole position, after transferring to a redraw position through the qualifying event.
Bunting would lead the field to the green flag after being paced by a replica yellow and blue No. 85, piloted by longtime driver of Marine, Ricky Elliott.
Howard O’Neal, Jordn Justice, and Jordan Watson would dice it up to reshuffle the top four, with track invader Ryan Godown hot on their heels.
A quick caution would regroup the field on lap seven with Watson powering around the outside of O’Neal and Godown peeking to the bottom of Watson for second. Bunting would maintain a comfortable lead as Watson and Godown played cat and mouse for second.
At Halfway, Watson attempted to take the top spot in turns one and two, but was unable to make it stick with Bunting crossing back out in front.
A few circuits later, Godown would ultimately take the top position with Watson and Bunting racing door to door for the second position.
With five laps remaining, Godown had made a comfortable lead navigating the bottom of the racing surface, with Bunting, Watson and Rick Laubach under a blanket for third.
Godown would capture the $2685 pay day in memory of Marine for the Blue Hen Racing team, followed by Laubach, Bunting, Watson, and O’Neal edging out Carson Wright for fifth.
Scott Hitchens was emotional in victory lane after winning the 15-lap AC Delco Crate Modified event. Hitchens has been commemorating Marine during the 2020 season, using his famed No. 85 as his car number.
“Nobody was beating me tonight. Jake did a lot for me and a lot of guys that no one knows about. I don’t care if I don’t win another race,� said Hitchens.
Brad Trice, who piloted the No. 10 for the first time this season finished second, with Trent Willey, Sean Metz, and James Hill completing the top five.
Jason Musser cruised to victory in the Modified Lite division, defeating recent dominators, Ray Gulliver and Tim White. Caleb Sturgis and Jacob King rounded out the top five.
Sparky White took the early lead in the RUSH Late Model feature event and watched the racing behind him as Matt Hill, Mark Pettyjohn, and Amanda Robinson dueled for the second position. A green, white, checker would regroup the field, but could not rattle White. Hill, Pettyjohn, Robinson, and current-points leader, Derek Magee rounded out the top five.
Chris “Tippy� Martinez was victorious in the Delmarva Charger division, with Jamie Eicholz taking the checkered in the 20-car Vintage feature.
The track will have a quick turn-around, as the Short Track Super Series invades on Tuesday, August 11, 2020 for a rescheduled Diamond State 50.
Delaware Dirt Modifieds: RYAN GODOWN, Rick Laubach, HJ Bunting, Jordan Watson, Howard O’Neal, Carson Wright, Richie Pratt, Jr., Jordn Justice, Matt Smith, Brandon Watkins, Robert Dutton, Westley Smith, David Shirk, John Bailey, Matt Hawkins, Andy Hammond, Dale Hawkins, Kevin Sockriter, DNS: Ryan Riddle
AC Delco Crate Modifieds: SCOTT HITCHENS, Brad Trice, Trent Willey, Sean Metz, James Hill, Michael White, Adam White, Bryan Brobst, George Richardson, John Stevenson, Robbie Riley, Freddy Massey, David Jenkins, Jeff Marker, Greg Nailor, Jr., William Adams, Justin Eason, Justin Riley, Greg Humlhanz, Rodney Cordrey, Jeff Coffey
Modified Lites: JASON MUSSER, Ray Gulliver, Tim White, Caleb Sturgis, Jacob King, Jake Nelson, Danny Smack, Chris Sockriter, Curt Miles, Jr., Kirk Miles
RUSH Crate Model: SPARKY WHITE, Matt Hill, Mark Pettyjohn, Amanda Robinson, Derek Magee, Trevor Collins, Joe Warren, Austin Hubbard, Joe Pete, Jason Dean, Mike Wharton, Ben Scott, Zac Weller, David Smith, Robert Smith, Geoff Carey, DNS: Brandon Sturgis 
