Stewart Friesen Leads Standings Into Lucrative ‘Diamond State 50’ At Delaware International Speedway With $25,000-Plus At Stake
Story By: BRETT DEYO / BD MOTORSPORTS MEDIA Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
DELMAR, DE- May 19, 2016- The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP returns to the First State next Thursday, May 26.
Charlie Cathell’s Delaware International Speedway, located on U.S. 13 in Delmar, Del., plays host to the ‘Diamond State 50’ with more than $25,000 on the line for the STSS Velocita South Region big-block/small-block Modifieds. The 50-lap event at the tacky half-mile offers $5,000-plus to win, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag plus bonuses, lap money and contingency awards.
Also on the card: Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,000 to win, $100 to start) and Delaware Super Trucks ($200 to win, $40 to start).
Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply of Hurlock, Md., serves as the presenting ‘Diamond State 50’ sponsor.
After three events on the STSS South Region schedule, Sprakers, N.Y., driver Stewart Friesen sits atop the standings with the Halmar International No. 44. Friesen has not won an event this season on the STSS circuit, but leads the point battle with consistent finishes. He placed eighth at Georgetown (Del.) Speedway in March, third at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway in April and most recently second at Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, Pa., May 17.
Friesen has set plans to attend the ‘Diamond State 50’ and in doing so will make his first start at the track since the fall of 2009, when he finished second to Jimmy Horton in the year-end Delaware State Dirt Track Championship race.
Friesen has accrued 253 points thus far in the battle for the $8,500 championship share.
The remainder of the top-10 in the standings includes Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., the March Georgetown winner, with 224 points; Big Diamond victor Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa., with 216 points; Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., with 205 points; Craig Von Dohren of Oley, Pa., with 202 points; Jordan Watson of Milford, Del., with 201 points; David Van Horn Jr. of Harmony, N.J., with 181 points; Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., with 180 points; Billy Pauch Sr. of Frenchtown, N.J., with 179 points and Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa, with 176 points in a tie with Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass.
Winners on the STSS South Region this season have included Perrego (Georgetown), Wade Hendrickson (Bridgeport) and Watt (Big Diamond).
For the ‘Diamond State 50’ event, gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 6:30 p.m. Racing begins at 7:15 p.m.
Adult admission is $22 for the grandstands. Students (ages 7-13) pay $5. Kids 6 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
To learn more about the 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, COMP Performance Group, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, Racersguide.com, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
2016 Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Velocita South Region Schedule
Saturday, March 12 – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE – Melvin L. Joseph Memorial – WINNER: Anthony Perrego
Sunday, April 17 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ – South Jersey Shootout – WINNER: Wade Hendrickson
Tuesday, May 10 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA – Anthracite Assault – WINNER: Ryan Watt
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.
