Krachun Rolls Through Fog For First Win of Season at Day 1 of Delaware State Championships on Delaware International Speedway

Day 1 of the Delaware State Championships saw a full program of small block modified racing capped with a 50 lap feature event while the big blocks & crates qualified for their feature tomorrow. The unusually balmy October temperatures in the mid 70’s during the day also brought some surprising fog that briefly rolled onto the track during the small block modified feature.

The field was lead to green by Richie Pratt Jr and Ryan Krachun with Laubach a close 3^rd.  An early yellow turned into a red on lap 3 as a fog rolled into the turns of the track giving a dusty like visible haze.  The officials poled the drivers and the majority agreed that the visibility was acceptable and to continue racing.  As the race progressed the fog lifted and was no longer an issue.  After racing resumed; Laubach powered past Krachun on lap 4 and then inherited the lead on a lap 8 caution when the leader Pratt pulled into the pits during a caution for a Ryan Watt’s right front flat tire. Despite a flat left front tire Laubach continued to hold about a 1 second lead on a charging Krachun until lap 24 when lapped traffic was 2 wide and Laubach got bottled up on the high line and hindered by his left front flat while Krachun was able to get through with the low and make the pass for the lead.  From there Krachun was able to check out to nearly a 3 second lead and ride the next 26 green flag laps right into victory lane for his first win of the season.

In victory lane Ryan noted “I knew we were coming up on lapped traffic and Rick was dealing with a left front flat tire. From the start of my career Rick has been my mentor and it was great to run side by side with him on the way to my first win of the season.  I saw his car had been ill handling due to the front flat and knew it would eventually mess him up.  It was great to get this first win of the year in front of the Delaware fans.”

A very strong top ten was rounded out by Rick Laubach in 2^nd place, Ryan Watt, HJ Bunting, Richie Pratt, JoJo Watson, Jim Britt, Ryan Riddle, James Hill and Rick Regalski in 10^th.

In addition the preliminary heat races for the Big Block 50 lap feature and Crate 602 feature on Saturday was also completed during the Friday night program.

Top 10 big block qualifiers for tomorrow’s 50 lap feature were Jordon Justice, Kevin Sockriter, Rickey Elliot, Jordan Watson, Rick Laubach, Richie Pratt Jr, HJ Bunting, Austin Hubbard, Rick Regalski and Jojo Watson.

The top 8 crate qualifiers for tomorrow’s 25 lap feature were Justin Grosso, Trent Willey, Adam White, Scott Hitchens, Greg Humlhanz, Brad Trice, Sean Metz and David Jenkins.

Day 2 of the Delaware State Dirt Track Championship is on Saturday October 24 at Delaware International Speedway with warmups starting at 5:30.

Pit Notes to follow.