7/26/2015
Delaware International Speedway
DONALD LINGO, JR. WINS $3000 S.R. PETE & SONS LATE MODEL VS. MODIFIED SHOWDOWN
By CHARLIE BROWN, DELMAR, DE – The Delaware International Speedway hosted the $3000 to win 30-lap S.R. Pete and Sons Late Model vs. Modified Showdown on Saturday night. Coming out on top was Donald Lingo, Jr. in his Ford powered Late Model. It was his third win of the season.
Heats for the S.R. Pete & Sons Late Models were won by Dylan Evans and Nick Davis while Robert Dutton and Matt Hawkins captured the NAPA Modified qualifiers.
Evans drew the pole for the start and Dutton chose the inside row for the Modifieds at the start. A hard crash occurred on the first lap when Nick Davis got around and was hit hard by Dale Hawkins. Hawkins almost got upside down and ended up on the nose of Staci Warrington’s car. Davis was the only car able to restart.
Donald Lingo, Jr. went three wide on the restart and powered around the outside to go from fifth to the lead on the first lap. Evans quickly procured the bottom in second and H.J. Bunting shot from sixth to third. Bunting would go to the rear after a spin brought out one of many yellows in the early laps.
By halfway it was still the Late Models of Lingo and Evans holding down first and second while the Modifieds of Beau Wilkins and Matt Hawkins battle for third. The final caution flew with nine to go when Dutton rolled to a stop.
Lingo pulled away on the restart and pulled away in the remaining laps for the win. Evans posted yet another outstanding finish to give the Late Models the top two spots. Rounding out the top five were the Modifieds of Wilkins, Matt Hawkins and Bobby Watkins.
“Those cautions were driving me crazy,� said Lingo in Victory Lane. Lingo explained that the team had had a lot of mechanical problems and had been working night and day on the car. “Tonight made it all worthwhile.�
Sponsor Stanley Pete introduced the crowd to ten year old Sophia Lawhead who suffers from the incurable disease of Alopecia Universalis of A.U. which affects the body’s immune system and prevents her from growing hair. Pete has started a fund for Sophia to help her purchase a natural hair wig. Donations from the crowd on hand totaled over $1500 and AC Delco winner, Kevin Sockriter even gave his winner’s trophy to Sophia. Anyone who wishes to donate to her cause may do so by sending their donation to: Sophia Lawhead Fund, c/o Stanley Pete, 28535 Adkins Rd. Salisbury, Md. 21801.
Late Model vs. Modified Showdown Finish: 1. Donald Lingo, LM; 2. Dylan Evans, LM; 3. Beau Wilkins, Mod.: 4. Matt Hawkins, Mod; 5. Bobby Watkins, Mod; 6. Ricky Elliott, LM; 7. Brad Trice, Mod.; 8. H.J. Bunting, Mod; 9. Scott VanGorder, Mod; 10. Eric Vent, Mod; 11. Michael White, Mod; 12. Kevin Gardner, Mod; 13. Bryan Brasure, Mod; 14. Chris Glanden, Mod; 15. Robert Dutton, Mod; 16. Norman Short, Jr., Mod; 17. Herb Tunis, LM; 18. Kellie Lewis, LM; 19. Nick Davis, LM; 20. Dale Hawkins, Mod; 21. Staci Warrington, LM; 22. Bob Geiger, LM; DNS: Aaron VanGorder, Mod.
