1/29/2024
US 13 Dragway
2022 and 2023 US 13 Dragway Champions Honored at Banquet
Delmar, DE -
The U.S.13 Dragway and racers come together to celebrate the 60th Anniversary 2022 and 2023 Champions.
The night began as they honored the wonderful and amazing staff, who "without them none of this would be possible," states Mark Cathell. Jerry Ketterman was recognized for his 50 years of employment with the Dragway. Jerry also hosts his own event at the track, the Jerry Ketterman "Super Bad 8" which will be held October 5, 2024, and celebrate its 15th year. The first annual Charles and Joyce Cathell Dedication and Outstanding Leadership award was presented to Dawn Cox who started with the Dragway in 1986.
SDM Promotions co-owners Mark and Denise Cathell presented their Employee of the Year to Shawn “Pee Wee” Morris for his hard work and dedication to the Cathell family, SDM and the racing community.
The next awards were presented to the 2023 Class Sponsors. Top ET was presented to Kathy Drane with the Noland Company of Salisbury, Chris Kahler and Christopher Kahler of Beach Custom Services for Mod ET, Outten Bros Home Furnishings owner, Roland Powell Jr. for Pro Bike, Andy and Jeff Davenport with Tire King of Seaford, in Sportsman, Brandon and Leslee Hazzard with Carquest/Hazzard Auto Parts for the Jr. Dragster division and Austin and Amie Powell of Prestige Plumbing and HVAC accepted the award for sponsoring the new Teen Challenge class.
Pepsi Bottling Ventures accepted their special recognition award for their 60 years of partnership with the Dragway, along with WZRD Kustoms, All States Construction and Elzeys Septic for their support in 2023. Mark and Denise Cathell presented Debbie and Tommy Elliott with the William J & Juanita Cathell Recognition Awards for their support and dedication to SDM Promotions.
Before the awards program began to celebrate the 2023 recipients, the program began by acknowledging the past 2022 Champions in Top, Mod, Pro Bike, Sportsman and Jr. Dragsters. The following accepted their awards and gave their acceptance speeches in the following categories.
VP Fuels Top ET - Ben Parks
Beach Customs Services Mod ET - Tim Foskey Jr.
OBHF Pro Bike - Sam Sanders
Tire King Sportsman - Bill Bradford
Carquest/Hazzard Auto Parts Jr. Dragster - Chase Huber
Next honored were the top finishers from the 2023 racing season. Brandon and Leslee Hazzard presented the top 10 finishers in the Jr. Dragster division. Starting with 10th place Hailey Truitt, 9th place Cole Foskey, 8th place Blake LeCates Truitt, 7th place Chase Huber, 6th place Marquise Blake, 5th place Braxton Hazzard, 4th place Ella Ketterman, 3rd place Raegan Ketterman, 2nd place Jonathon Henry Jr. and the 2023 Carquest Hazzard Auto Part Jr. Dragster Championship was presented to Andrew Shaeffer. Andrew's acceptance speech was the highlight of the night as he captured the hearts of everyone in attendance.
Following the Jr. Dragster awards, the Prestige Plumbing and HVAC Champion award was presented to Jillian Richardson. This was the first season for the program at the Dragway and to make it more special, Jillian was able to celebrate it with friends a family.
Jeff Davenport represented the Tire King Sportsman class honoring the top 5 finishers. In 5th place Gary Stickles, 4th place John Elias, 3rd place Bill Bradford, 2nd place Evan Marlow and our 2023 Tire King Sportsman Champion, Jeff Richardson was crowned. Jeff and his daughter Jillian were both class champions for 2023.
Long time sponsor Outten Bros Home Furnishings and owner Roland Powell Jr. presented the Pro Bike division. The top two were recognized for 2023, 2nd place David Leaf and 2023 track champion James Farmer. This was James's 10th Track Championship of his career.
The top 10 Mod ET racers were honored next by Chris and Christopher Kahler with Beach Custom Services. Brian Dennis picked up 10th place, 9th place Dave Keyton, 8th place Russ Archer, 7th place Jacob Bowie, 6th place Tim Foskey Jr. 5th, Michael Jefferson, 4th place Ben Garnett, 3rd place Kody Mariner, 2nd place Brian Riebert Jr. Josh Phelps of Denton, Maryland picked up the 2023 Mod ET Track Championship.
Noland Company of Salisbury, Kathy Drane, presented Top ET, the final category of the evening, honoring the top 10 finishers. In 10th place Ben Parks, 9th place Eddie Savage, tied for 7th place Josh Nichols and Alex Bradford, tie for 5th place was Darren Wroten and Phillip Truitt, Michael Dilorenzo 4th place, 3rd place Steven Truitt, 2nd place Frank LeCates and your 2023 Track Championship went to second generation driver, Tommy Ketterman.
Right Trailer Sales Nationwide sponsored this year's 2023 Champions jackets. Right has locations across the country with their home office in Lakeland, Florida with additional locations in Tampa and Ocala, Florida, Caledonia, WI and Hattiesburg, MS. Visit their website at righttrailers.com for all your parts and trailer needs.
The night concluded with the 2023 Champions specialty awards, SDM Promotions owners Mark and Denise Cathell presented them with the 2023 Gold Cards, Champion's checks and the Contingency Connection bonus certificates. Mark Cathell then presented each champion with a custom designed champions award. These five-foot replica Starting Line Christmas Trees were specially made representing colors of their cars and bike. Each bulb consisted of a different picture commemorating their championship drive throughout the 2023 season. We would like to thank P & S Design for their assistance on the design fabrication of the champions' awards.
US 13 will open the gates for the 61st season of drag racing on Saturday, March 9, with the 2nd Annual 1st State No Prep Season Opener. This event will feature close to 180 entries of some of the best no prep drivers on the east coast. Gates open at 8 am, with eliminations beginning at 12 noon. Our 2023 Bracket season will begin the weekend of March 29 - 31. Friday night, March 29th, Gates will open at 5pm and will feature Test and Tune from 6 to 10 pm. Saturday, March 30, Gates open at 10 am and will mark the first points race of the season for Noland Company Top ET, Beach Custom Services Mod ET, Outten Bros Home Furnishings Pro Bike, Tire King Sportsman, Carquest Hazzard Auto Parts Jr. Dragsters and Prestige Plumbing HVAC Teen Challenge. Saturday will begin the points for WDRA Summit Equipment Sportsman Bracket Series presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance along with the Championship chase for the U.S.13 Dragway Track Championship. Sunday, March 31, Gates open 10 am and will host the 2nd points race for all classes.
Visit delawareracing.com to view the entire schedule of events for the 2024 season.
Submitted By: Mark Cathell