5/3/2015
Delaware International Speedway
BRAD TRICE ENDS DROUGHT IN NAPA BIG BLOCKS
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – It was a great night of racing with near perfect track conditions on Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. “Bad� Brad Trice of Parsonsburg, Md. had gone winless all last season but on Saturday night he ended that streak by capturing the 25-lap NAPA Big Block main.
Heats were won by Beau Wilkins and Jordan Watson. In the feature Matt Hawkins got off to a great start with Bobby Watkins riding in second and Scott VanGorder in third. Trice had started in sixth but wasted no time climbing to third by lap three.
Beau Wilkins looked like a contender as he powered from eighth to fourth by lap eight and Shawn Ward held down fifth. Back to back cautions at the mid-point of the race found Trice up to second and on the back bumper of Hawkins. Hawkins was able to hold off Trice’s challenges until his engine started to go sour on lap 16. He would roll to a stop at the top of the fourth turn to bring out the yellow with eight to go.
Trice was now on top as Watkins got back by Wilkins for second. The caution would be out for a final time with four to go as defending point champion, Jordan Watson rolled to a stop. On the restart Trice pulled away as Watkins and Wilkins battled for second. Trice would take the win with Watkins holding off Wilkins for second. Fourth went to H.J. Bunting and VanGorder rounded out the top five.
“We struggled a lot last year but I think we have got our stuff together this year,� said Trice before thanking his crew and family.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Brad Trice; 2. Bobby Watkins ; 3. Beau Wilkins; 4. HJ Bunting; 5. Scott VanGorder; 6. Shawn Ward; 7. Dale Hawkins; 8. Dana Walker; 9. Kyle Fuller; 10. Kevin Gardner; 11. Jordan Watson; 12. Michael White; 13. Matt Hawkins; 14. Matt Jester; 15. Norman Short.
