By Charlie Brown, Dover, DE – More than 500 of Delmarva’s dirt track faithful assembled this past weekend at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino to celebrate the 2009 season at the Delaware International Speedway. Over $45,000 in cash plus contingencies was distributed to the top ten in points in the five weekly divisions.

            Second generation driver, H.J. Bunting III of Milford, Del. claimed his fifth overall championship in the NAPA Big Block Modifieds and received $6000. Bunting earned a personal season best of eight features in 2009. It was the first Big Block Modified Championship for long time car owner Jake Marine of Laurel, Del. who fields the J&M Roofing & Builder/Art Collins Trucking/Dukes Lumber Company/First State Chevrolet/Marine Stables/J&B Speed Supply/Marine Concrete Services/Medford Speed/Carmean’s Appraisal Group/Tommy’s Country Cuts/Bilstein/Teo Pro.

 In a reversal of last season, 2008 champion Jamie Mills led the points most of the season but ended up chasing Bunting in the final weeks to finish in second with five wins on the season. Third through fifth in points were Matt Jester (two wins), Joseph Watson and Jordan Watson (one win). Sixth through tenth in order were Scott VanGorder (one win), Bobby Watkins, Jeff Brown, Howard O’Neal and George Richardson. Rookie of the year honors went to Tim Trimble who finished 19^th in points after moving into the division at mid-season. Sysco Eastern Maryland presented the trophies.

Ocean City, Md.’s Richard Jarvis, Jr., behind the wheel of Salisbury, Md.’s Steve & Patty Nuttall’s Super Late Model, collected seven wins during the season to earn his second career point title and $4000 in point money. It was the first title for Jarvis as the driver of the Mid-Coastal Siding & Construction/American Racer/Kings Island Pride/Kenny Pettyjohn Racing/Pro Rad Radiators/Rocket/Pro Power O.C. Team.

            Through his consistency Ross Robinson finished a person best of second in the division despite not winning a feature. Former two-time champion, Donald Lingo, Jr. finished in the third spot in points with one win and defending point champion, Ray Davis, Jr. finished fourth with one win. Hometown driver Kerry King rounded out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Staci Warrington with one win, Rick Whaley, Bob Geiger and David Hill (tie) and Hal Browning with one win. Trophies were sponsored by Brownie’s Package Store. A total of 11 different drivers had wins in the division.

            Joe Warren of Georgetown, Del. amassed a personal best of seven wins to defend his point championship in the Crate Model division. It was his third title in five years earning him $1500.  Warren’s patience and smooth driving style kept him comfortably out front in points as he piloted the Big Fish Grill/Delaware-South Materials/Davis, Bowen & Friedel/Keys Advisors Group/First State Flag/Sposato Landscaping//Keizers Wheel/King Croup Insurance/BRC Lazer to the title.

            Chris Hitchens moved from the AC Delco Modifieds to the Crate Models in 2009 and ended up second in points with two wins. Young Nick Davis also added two wins to finish third in the standings with Tyler Reed and rookie Clint Chalabala rounding out the top five with one win each. Sixth through tenth were Amanda Whaley, Mike Wilson, Rookie Matt Hill (one win), Skip Syester and Darin Henderson. Trophies were presented by Snookie’s Speed Parts of Milton.

            The AC Delco TSS Modified season was dominated by defending point champion Michael White of Laurel, Del who collected $1500. White posted eight wins to help him top the division by almost 400 points more than the next closest competitor. Once again he was behind the wheel of the J&M Roofing & Builders/Jay Ryder’s Plum Creek Farms/Art Collins Trucking/Laurel Motor Company/Carey’s Towing/Kelly’s Garage/Teo.

            Turning in an outstanding performance to finish second in points was rookie Shawn Ward. Matt Hawkins earned his first career win in 2009 and finished third in points while rookie Kyle Fuller also made a trip to victory lane and finished fourth. Rounding out the top five was Tim Trimble with four wins.

            Rounding out the top ten were John Curtis with a win/Westley Smith, Scott Baker, Joseph Tracy with two wins and Scott Calhoun. Calhoun was also the lucky winner of a driver’s drawing for a signature custom tool box donated by Taylor & Messick of Harrington, Del. Trophies were presented by R.C. Holloway Company.

            The championship in the Modified Lite division went to another defending champion - Brandon Dennis of Greenwood, Del. This year Dennis pulled the upset earning only one win during the year but netting him $1100 from the point fund. The key to Dennis’ success was that he finished every feature this season. Sponsorship of his Pro Chassis machine came from ECB Homes and Simpson Construction of Harrington.

Former champion, Steve White rebounded from a mid-season penalty to finish second in points with 10 wins. Kevin McKinney finished third with two wins. Fourth went to Ty Short and Curt Miles, Jr. collected his first career win during the season finishing in fifth. Sixth through tenth were Alan Passwaters and Kirk Miles (tie), Paul McGinley, T.J. Williams and a tie between Tim White and Cody Belote. Trophies were presented by the Pepsi Bottling Ventures.

            The champions received championship jackets from American Race Tires/Lias Tire and “Gold Cards” for 2009 admission. They also competed in a game of chance that netted Michael White a diamond necklace. Richard Jarvis, Jr. received a Night at the Races for his friends, Joe Warren received a season pass and H.J. Bunting and Brandon Dennis received season pit parking spots.

            A special service award was presented to Lisa Diaz for 20 service at the speedway.

            The  point fund was due largely in part to season sponsors that included: Sysco Eastern Maryland, NAPA Auto Parts, R.C. Holloway Company; American Race Tires from Lias Tire Racing Division; NuCar Connection of New Castle, Del., Scott’s Furniture, Snookie’s Speed Parts, Taylor & Messick John Deere, Pepsi Bottling Ventures; Insinger Performance, Inc., Pro Chassis and Brownie’s Package Store. Door prizes were courtesy of Taylor & Messick, NuCar Connection and Delmar Liquor.