7/10/2016
Delaware International Speedway
DALE HAWKINS BECOMES 7TH DIFFERENT WINNER IN DELAWARE BIG BLOCKS
By Charlie Brown, DELMAR, DE – It has been quite the year for different winners at the Delaware International Speedway. In the NAPA Big Block Modifieds on Saturday night Dale Hawkins became the seventh different winner. Kerry King ended an 11 year drought to win in the S.R. Pete & Sons Late Models. Derek Magee got his first career win after five years of trying in the Crate Models. Other winners on the night included: Brandon Dennis in the Mod Lites; Jordan Justice in the AC Delco 602 Sportsman; Robert Smith getting his first win in the Super Trucks and in the Tony Steele Memorial Vintage Car feature it was Mark Williams in the Modifieds and Todd Miller in the Sportsman.
The NAPA Big Block Modifieds continued to produce new winners this season. Dale Hawkins took full advantage of his pole starting position as he shot off from the field from the drop of the green with Howard O’Neal chasing in second and Trent Willey in his small block running third.
H.J. Bunting started in the seventh spot and was headed through the field until some contact sent him sliding sideways down the back straight on lap three. Clay Tatman clipped Bunting at high speed badly damaging his car but Bunting was able to restart at the rear of the field.
It was a family affair by halfway as Dale Hawkins’ son Matt worked his way into second. Bunting climbed back into the top five by lap eight and worked by Brandon Watkins for fourth by halfway. With ten to go he got by O’Neal for third.
With two laps to go Bunting got by Matt for second but at the white flag was still almost eight tenths of a second back. Bunting closed the four car advantage going down the back straight and pulled even with the leader going into the third turn. The pair were literally rubbing wheels coming off the turn but Hawkins was not to be denied and took the win by a wheel.
“They should make these races six laps for old fat guys like me,� joked Hawkins in Victory Lane. Bunting padded his point lead finishing in second and Matt Hawkins made it a good night for the family finishing in third. Fourth went to O’Neal and Carson Wright grabbed fifth on the final lap. Heats were won by Dale Hawkins and Trent Willey.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Dale Hawkins; 2. H.J. Bunting; 3. Matt Hawkins; 4. Howard O’Neal; 5. Carson Wright; 6. Brandon Watkins; 7. Trent Willey; 8. Scott VanGorder; 9. Kevin Sockriter; 10. Dave Dissinger; 11. Kevin Gardner; 12. Dana Walker; 13. Clay Tatman; 
