5/10/2015
Delaware International Speedway
SHAWN WARD SURVIVES WILD START TO WIN BIG BLOCKS
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – Saturday night’s St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Benefit sponsored by K&B Auto produced some new winners and one first time winner. Shawn Ward survived a wild NAPA Big Block Modified 25-lap main to collect his first win of the season and become the third winner in three weeks in the division.
The Big Block feature got off to a wild start when the front markers got together in the second turn. When the pileup ended top runners H.J. Bunting, Beau Wilkins and last week’s feature winner, Brad Trice were taken to the pits never to return. Making repairs and getting back out on the speedway were Scott VanGorder, Michael White and Trent Willey.
Shawn Ward got by Dale Hawkins coming off fourth turn to take the lead on lap one. Jordan Watson was headed to the front getting by both Bobby Watkins and Hawkins to second by lap three. Three laps later, Watson moved on top.
By halfway the top five were Watson, Ward, Watkins, Matt Hawkins and VanGorder. Watson built a 3.5 second advantage but the car lost power at the start/finish line with eight to go. Watson coasted to a stop in the second turn to bring out the final yellow.
Ward was back on top with Watkins running a strong second. Ward would make no mistakes as he powered to his first win of the season. “We didn’t get the car done until seven o’clock,� said Ward. My guys have been putting it together and taking it apart since Thursday night.�
Watkins turned in his best run of the year in second with Matt Hawkins third. Fourth went to VanGorder and White rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Watson and Watkins.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Shawn Ward; 2. Bobby Watkins; 3. Matt Hawkins; 4. Scott VanGorder; 5. Michael White; 6. Dale Hawkins; 7. Trent Willey; 8. Jordan Watson; 9. Dana Walker; 10. HJ Bunting; 11. Beau Wilkins; 12. Brad Trice.
