One More Shot: David Van Horn Jr. Looks To Rebound From Tough 2015 Short Track Super Series South Region Finale With Strong Outing At Georgetown Speedway Saturday, March 12; New Jersey Driver To Chase STSS Point Standings
Story By: CODY MAMILLER / STSS MEDIA Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
GEORGETOWN, DE- March 2, 2016- David Van Horn Jr. just wants another shot. Less than six months ago, the Harmony, N.J., native was in the midst of a multi-team clash for the 2015 Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP Velocita South Region championship with one race remaining before it all ended so quickly.
A parts failure tarnished a chance at the championship while running in third-place at Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway during the ‘Blast at the Beach’ series finale.
“We did everything we could,” Van Horn remembered. “It took two weeks to swallow that. It was really tough.”
Van Horn conquered the field in the previous race, the ‘Diamond State 50’ at neighboring Delaware International Speedway (Delmar, Del.), catapulting him into the series lead, and earning his biggest win of his career.
“It was a huge win for me, and my first ever big series win,” said Van Horn. “I started racing go-karts at Delaware, so it was really special to win there.”
Van Horn will be returning to Georgetown on March 12 for the STSS Velocita South Region-opening Melvin L. Joseph Memorial offering $4,900-plus to win, $1,000 for 10th and $490 to take the green flag for 49 laps on the half-mile. After ending third in the STSS South Region standings last season, Van Horn has high hopes for the season ahead.
“We have a brand new Teo car along with a new big block,” Van Horn said. “I am really looking forward to the South Region.
“It will be really important to start strong. We really need a good first two races.”
Along with following the seven-race series focused on tracks in Pa., N.J., and Del., the 32-year-old expects to start the Halmar International North Region at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., Saturday, April 2.
“We will see how it goes with the North series,” he noted. “We will start at Middletown, and just go from there.”
Four drivers won the five races in last year’s South Region to display the series’ parity. Van Horn spoke on that same notion.
“The part that stands out to me is all the family-owned and lower budget teams,” he asserted. “It is not too far-fetched to think you could win a race or compete for a championship.
“Hopefully we can be in the same spot, and hang on this time.”
The journey for Van Horn and his STSS South counterparts begins on Saturday, March 12 at Georgetown, Del.
Joining the STSS Modifieds on the March 12 card: Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.
On Saturday (March 12), pit gates open at 11 a.m. and grandstand gates are unlocked at noon. The drivers’ meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m., with hot laps at 3 p.m. and racing at 4 p.m.
Admission is $20 for Adults. Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17) pay $16. Kids 9-12 are $10 and those under eight are admitted FREE. Pit admission is $35 (ages 13 and up), $10 for Kids 6-12 and $2 for those five and under.
An open practice is slated for Friday, March 11 with gates opening at 4 p.m. and practice at 6:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is FREE and pit admission is $20.
A Sunday, March 13 rain date for the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial will be utilized if needed.
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1950, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
To learn more about the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
The 2016 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Racersguide.com,Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
2016 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region Schedule
Saturday, April 2 (Rain Date: April 9) – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, NY – Hard Clay Open
Tuesday, May 10 (Rain Date: May 17) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA – Anthracite Assault (Combo)
Sunday, May 29 (Rain Date: May 30) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY – Lightning on the Mountain
Tuesday, June 7 (Rain Date: June 8) – Outlaw Speedway/Dundee, N.Y. – Ultimate Outlaw 50
Tuesday, July 5 (Rain Date: July 6) – Accord Speedway/Accord, NY – Battle of the Bullring 4
Wednesday, July 13 (Rain Date: TBA) – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park/Elbridge, NY – STSS vs. RoC Challenge (all drivers in attendance receive 60 points)
Wednesday, July 27 (Rain Date: July 28) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY – Crazy 8s Special
Tuesday, August 16 (Rain Date: August 17) – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, NY – Hustlin’ the High Banks 52
Sunday, September 18 (Rain Date: September 25) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY – Wade Decker Memorial
Friday-Saturday October 7-8 (Rain Date: October 9) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY – Short Track SuperNationals 9 – Championship Points
Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP North Region Point Fund (*based on 10 events): 1. $12,000; 2. $7,000; 3. $4,000; 4. $3,000; 5. $2,500; 6. $1,850; 7. $1,750; 8. $1,650; 9. $1,550; 10. $1,450; 11. $1,000; 12. $1,000
*Drivers outside the top-12 with perfect attendance receive $250
2016 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Velocita South Region Schedule
Saturday, March 12 (Rain Date: March 13) – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE – Melvin L. Joseph Memorial
Sunday, April 17 (Rain Date: April 24) – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ – South Jersey Shootout
Tuesday, May 10 (Rain Date: May 17) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA – Anthracite Assault (Combo)
Thursday, May 26 (Rain Date: TBA) – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, DE – Diamond State 50
Tuesday, June 14 (Rain Date: June 15) – New Egypt Speedway/New Egypt, NJ – Dirty Jersey 4 – $10,000 to win!
Sunday, July 31 (Rain Date: Aug. 7) – Susquehanna Speedway Park/Newberrytown, PA – York County Nationals
Tuesday, Aug. 30 (Rain Date: Aug. 31) – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE – Blast at the Beach – Championship Points
Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP South Region Point Fund (*based on 7 events): 1. $8,500; 2. $4,500; 3. $3,000; 4. $2,000; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,250; 7. $1,200; 8. $1,150; 9. $1,100; 10. $1,050
*Drivers with perfect attendance outside the top-10 will receive $250 at year-end.
