Teenager Tyler Dippel Shocks The First State & Wins Georgetown Speedway ‘Beach Blast’ Worth $5,850; New York Star Dominates Inaugural Event Before A Packed House; Brett Ballard Tops $1,000 Crate 602 Sportsman Field
GEORGETOWN, DE – Tyler Dippel captured his first Big-Block Modified win in the First State at Georgetown Speedway, on his first ever start at the half-mile clay oval: driving a Small-Block.
Tyler Dippel, a 14 year old stand-out of Wallkill, N.Y., made the long tow south to Georgetown Speedway for the Inaugural “Beach Blast” collecting an astounding $5,850 in cash and contingency awards for the 35-lap event promoted by BD Motorsports Media, LLC and driver, Eric Kormann. Dippel was the class of the field, being one of only few that could command the topside of the historic track.
“This feels awesome, this car was on rails,” exclaimed Dippel in Victory Lane. “The car liked the top better. We struggled on the restarts, but this is awesome. This place has way more bite then what we are used to.”
Dippel, who is most known for his success in the New York circuits in Sportsman and Small-Block Modifieds at Accord, Lebanon Valley, and Orange County Fair Speedway, and more recently with the Pro All Star Series (PASS) Asphalt Super Late Models.
The race was momentous for Georgetown Speedway, as an outstanding 48 Big-Block Modifieds registered for the event, with 31 Crate 602 Sportsman Modifieds on hand. The grandstands squeezed more tightly then the Delaware Beaches on a sunny day.
Dippel’s No. 1D rolled off the grid in the second position, starting on the bottom of the second row in “Delaware Start” fashion. Current Delaware International Speedway points leader, Jamie Mills, redrew the pole position in the post-qualifying redraw, with multiple-time feature winner at the Speedway, Ryan Godown starting third in the potent Bill Hewlett No. 901.
After multiple attempts to get the first lap in the books of the 35-lap event, Mills and Godown went to battle, with Mills on the bottom and Godown on the topside. The pair battled door to door for the next two laps, as Godown ultimately took the top position.
All eyes were on the young gun, Tyler Dippel, as he quickly went to the highest groove of the Speedway challenging Mills for second. On lap three, Dippel would get to the brim of the banking in turns three and four, allowing for Billy Pauch to briefly take over the third position.
Meanwhile, the No. 126 of Duane Howard was charging through the field from his 10th starting position redraw, now imposing on the top five by lap seven.
On lap eight, Pauch spins coming out of turn two, collecting many top-10 running cars, leaving 20-cars of the 28 starting field left running for the restart. When the green flag waved, Mills dove to the bottom of the No. 901 of Godown, with Dippel keeping close eye on the pair from the topside.
In turns one and two, a three-car race for the lead emerged with the family-owned No. 30 of Jamie Mills taking the top spot, Dippel dropping to the bottom and Godown to the top. Dippel quickly repositioned himself back to the topside of the track, lurking on Mills.
On lap 11, a car slowed on the backstretch, regrouping the field. Multiple cars headed to the pits, including Billy Pauch, Jordan Watson, and Matt Sheppard, which all returned.
On the restart, Dippel jumped out to a commanding lead with Mills and Godown following in suit. Rick Laubach began putting pressure on the No. 126 of Duane Howard, taking over the fourth place position.
The yellow flag would wave again, as Ryan Watt, Joseph Watson, and Pauch get collected off turn one. Pauch ended his bid for the checkered on the hook.
The hunt would continue, as Mills, Godown, Howard, and Laubach would try to keep Dippel in their scope. A green flag stretch would ensue, with Godown suddenly falling to the fifth position.
With 10-laps remaining, young Dippel began facing dense lap traffic, with the second place of Mills nearly a straightaway behind. Richie Pratt slowed on the backstretch, erasing Dippel’s lead. Laubach dove to the bottom of Mills in turns one and two on the restart, with a quick caution that would eliminate his advancement in position.
A single-file restart, lined Dippel, Mills, Howard, Laubach, and Godown nose to tail for the green flag. Dippel quickly developed an impressive lead over Mills.
The final caution would wave on lap 28, as Wade Hendrickson slowed on the backstretch. Mills gave a late race charge on the restart, staying tucked to the bumper of Dippel going into turns one and two. The challenge would be ignored by Dippel, as he charged to a half-straightaway lead over Mills.
Dippel went unchallenged to capture his first ever Big-Block Modified feature win…in a Small-Block Modified, earning a $350 bonus for being the first finishing Small-Block Modified. Jamie Mills finished second, being the highest placing Delaware International Speedway regular, with Duane Howard, Rick Laubach, and Ryan Godown rounding out the top five.
Dominick Buffalino, Craig Von Dohren in the Dave Dissinger No. 88c, Jordan Watson, Matt Jester and David Van Horn, Jr., rounded out the top ten.
Jester was the recipient of the Hard Charger Bonus by Jones Racing Products and Will Brown’s Truck Repair for rebounding from a 27th starting position to ninth. Jester experienced mechanical failure in the heat race, ultimately receiving a provisional for the event.
Mike Mahaney, driving Mike Gular’s No. 53 after the Jake Marine No. 85 he was scheduled to drive suffered engine woes, was the second highest running Small-Block Modified in the 12th position, receiving a $250 bonus from Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply, and C&S Equipment, with Wade Hendrickson being the third highest running in 13thposition.
Heat races were won by, Ryan Godown, Rick Laubach, Tyler Dippel, Jamie Mills, and Jordan Watson.
Consolation events were won by Ryan Watt, David Van Horn, Jr., and Matt Sheppard
BALLARD WINS $1000 CRATE SPORTSMAN PAYDAY AT GEORGETOWN
A large field of Crate Sportsman were on hand, as 31 teams bid for the 24 starting positions. It was the survival of the fittest, as many pile-ups and cautions slowed the pace of the feature event.
Brett Ballard redrew second for the 25-lap event, taking an early lead. Ballard would lead wire to wire as Delaware local, Scott Hitchens and Brian Papiez competed door to door, lap after lap for the second position.
On lap 14, the event went single file, with Ballard leading Hitchens, Papiez, and charging Jordan Justice, from the 12th starting position. Kevin Gardner would complete the top five.
The remainder of the 25-lap event would be flawless for Ballard as he captured the $1000 to win victory. Hitchens and Papiez would follow in suit with Justice breaking on the final circuit, allowing Gardner to beat Justice to the checkered flag.
Westley Smith received the Lindale Plumbing Hard Luck Award for mechanical failure that prevented the No. 98 to qualify. Jeremy Harrington received the Scotty’s Speed & Diesel 17th place bonus, after retiring with mechanical woes.
Heat races were won by Brett Ballard, Trent Willey, and Brandon Watkins.
The consolation event was won by Matt Budd.
Bud Sipple won the 12-lap, $200 to win Delmarva Charger event.
Shane Clogg won the 12-lap, $200 to win Super Truck feature event, with 19 entries.
The ‘Beach Blast’ is presented by Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply, American Portable Mini Storage of Millsboro, Bi-Rite Auto Sales, Clearview Farms, Sussex Irrigation, Mullins Auto Brokers, Cat Country 97.5, Dover International Speedway, Will Brown’s Truck Repair, Jones Racing Products, Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz, American Racer/Lias Tire, Hawkins Reporting Service, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Dirt Track Digest, ERK Steering and many other fine marketing partners.
HURLOCK AUTO & SPEED SUPPLY ‘BEACH BLAST’ RACE SUMMARY – AUGUST 26, 2014
Big-Block/Small-Block Modified Feature Finish (35 Laps): TYLER DIPPEL ($5,850), Jamie Mills, Duane Howard, Rick Laubach, Ryan Godown, Dom Buffalino, Craig Von Dohren, Jordan Watson, Matt Jester, David Van Horn Jr., Jimmy Horton, Mike Mahaney, Wade Hendrickson, Mike Iles, Ryan Watt, Richie Pratt Jr., Matt Sheppard, Joseph Watson, Billy Pauch Sr., Ron Roberts, Ray Swinehart, Shawn Ward, Dave Witte, Neal Williams, Michael White, Ricky Elliott, H.J. Bunting, Howard O’Neal.
Did Not Qualify: Mike Gular, Brad Trice, Sammy Piazza, Scott Ambruster, Eric Kormann, Kyle Merkel, Beau Wilkins, Bobby Watkins, Bobby Firth, Charles Moore, Brian Kressley, Bob Sarkisian, Scott Van Gorder, Matt Hawkins, Glenn Reed, Corey Anderson, Drew Simmons, Dale Hawkins, Aaron Van Gorder, Jesse James Bonaduce.
Lap Money Breakdown ($1,525 Total): Tyler Dippel ($400); Jamie Mills ($310); Ryan Godown ($265); Rick Laubach ($170); Duane Howard ($137); Dominic Buffalino ($115); Craig Von Dohren ($45); Mike Iles ($33); Billy Pauch ($25); Neal Williams ($25).
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire): Jordan Watson (8th) & Wade Hendrickson (13th)
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses ($100 Certificates): Tyler Dippel, Jamie Mills & Duane Howard
Crunchco Snacks Bonus ($100 For 11th): Jimmy Horton
Dirt Track Digest/Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz Halfway Bonus ($300): Tyler Dippel
First State Fans Top Consolation Transfer ($50): David Van Horn Jr.
Hawkins Reporting Service DNQ Bonuses ($50 Cash): Mike Gular, Sammy Piazza, Beau Wilkins, Brian Kressley & Scott Ambruster
Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply Highest Delaware International Regular ($100 Cash): Jamie Mills (second)
Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply/C&S Equipment First Small-Block ($350): Tyler Dippel (winner)
Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply/C&S Equipment Second Small-Block ($250): Mike Mahaney (12th)
Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply/C&S Equipment Third Small-Block ($150): Wade Hendrickson (13th)
Jones Racing Equipment Hard Charger ($100 Certificate): Matt Jester (27th to 9th)
Lindale Plumbing Hard Luck Award ($300 Cash): Kyle Merkel
Lineman Racing Top New Jersey Bonus ($50 Certificate): Ryan Godown (fifth)
Mullins Auto Brokers Top Delaware Driver ($250): Jamie Mills (second)
Scotty’s Speed & Diesel 17th-Place Bonus ($200 Certificate): Matt Sheppard
Will Brown’s Truck Repair Hard Charger Bonus ($250 Cash): Matt Jester (27th to ninth)
Will Brown’s Truck Repair Heat Winners ($100 Each): Ryan Godown, Rick Laubach, Tyler Dippel, Jamie Mills & Jordan Watson
Crate 602 Sportsman Feature Finish (25 Laps): BRETT BALLARD ($1,000), Scott Hitchens, Brian Papiez, Kevin Gardner, Jordan Justice, Jeff Coffey, Trent Willey, Nick Alberti, Adam Weber, David Parsons, Duane Rust, Kyle Fuller, Dwayne Crockett, Chad Clark, Kevin Sockriter, Jeremy Harrington, Jesse Hill, Tyler Reed, Andy Hammond, Brandon Watkins, Kenneth Peck, Matt Budd, Matt Peck, Jeff Morker.
Did Not Qualify: Brian Nailor, Westley Smith, Carson Wright, Brandon Blades, Matt Smith, Shawn Weber, Brian Hiltz.
Lindale Plumbing Hard Luck Award ($150 Cash): Westley Smith
Lineman Racing Top New Jersey Bonus ($50 Certificate): Brett Ballard (winner)
Scotty’s Speed & Diesel 17th-Place Bonus ($200 Certificate): Jeremy Harrington
Delmarva Charger Feature Finish (12 Laps): BUD SIPPLE, Ryan Riddle, Woodchuck, Geoff Carey, Josh Dahling, Randy Merritt, Ashley Merritt, Jason Rush, Ben Simpson, Zac Weller, Kevin Kovash, Derek Shifford, Jay Sipple.
Super Truck Feature Finish (12 Laps): SHANE CLOGG ($200), Stanley Pete Sr., Billy Cooper, Geoff Carey, Matt Long, Robert Reed, Brian Mausenholder, Michelle Jackson, David Smith, Tim Quay, Bill Lockwood, Brooks Fleetwood, Luke Wiedmann, Pacman, Jacob Pearson, Joe Pete, Mike Lewis, Tomas Lecates, Mike Martindale.
Sources: Alison Byram/BD Motorsports Media