Jordan Watson Closes Down Georgetown Speedway ‘Pre-Season’ with Fastest Open Practice Lap
GEORGETOWN, DE – The “pre-season” at Delaware’s Georgetown Speedway came to a close on Tuesday evening with the second and final Open Practice session.
Now, attention turns to the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial event this Friday (March 6) and Saturday (March 7). A weather date of Sunday (March 8) is in place, only if needed.
Approximately 30 race cars hit the track on Tuesday night for a three-hour test and tune. A tacky, fast surface greeted competitors. Jordan Watson, the most recent winner with the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco at Georgetown in November, turned the evening’s fastest lap. Milford, Del.’s Watson circled the half-mile oval in 19.256 seconds.
Watson owns a pair of high-profile STSS Modified victories at Georgetown: last fall’s Mid-Atlantic Championship Weekend and the ‘Blast at the Beach’ in 2015.
New Jersey’s Brandon Grosso and Pennsylvania’s Danny Hieber completed the long tow south to shake down their STSS Modifieds for this weekend’s $10,049-to-win, 49-lap event.
Delaware’s Ryan Riddle, Scott Van Gorder, Jordn Justice and Maryland’s Jeff Brown each took their L&J Sheet Metal Modifieds for track time.
A variety of racing divisions took part in the Open Practice, including Chesapeake Paving/J.W. Brown Trucking Crate 602 Sportsman, RUSH Late Models, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.
The final checkered flew at approximately 9:15 p.m.
It’s all eyes on the 2020 Northeast dirt Modified opener this weekend.
Friday night consists of a complete Small-Block Modified program (30 laps, $4,049 to win), RUSH Late Models (20 laps, $1,049 to win), Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.
Hot laps will take place Friday for STSS Modifieds and STSS Crate 602 Sportsman with the two fastest drivers overall in each division earning redraw positions for the Saturday main events.
Saturday fires to life with the STSS Modifieds (49 laps, $10,049 to win), STSS Crate 602 Sportsman (25 laps, $1,049 to win), Delmarva Chargers, Delaware Super Trucks and Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars.
Ken Adams of the Melvin L. Joseph Construction company has posted $49 per lap for all 49 laps of the STSS Modified event, a total of $2,401. The money will rotate through the top-seven running order.
Auto racing icon Ken Schrader serves as the weekend’s Grand Marshal and will be available to meet fans throughout the weekend.
On Friday, pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstand gates unlock at 5 p.m., with hot laps 6:20 p.m. and racing gets underway at 7:15 p.m.
Friday grandstand admission is $25 (Adults); $20 for Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17); $10 Kids (ages 9-12); and Children 8 and under FREE.
Friday pit admission is $35 (ages 13 and up). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10. Children 5 and under pay $2.
Pit and grandstand gates unlock at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Hot laps hit the track at 4 p.m., with racing at 5 p.m.
Saturday grandstand admission is $25 (Adults); $20 Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17); $10 Kids (ages 9-12); and Children 8 and under FREE.
Saturday pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10. Children 5 and under pay $2.
Melvin L. Joseph Memorial weekend passes are available at $45 (Adult Grandstand), $35 (Senior/Student Grandstand), $15 (Kid Grandstand) and $70 (pit area ages 13 and up).
There is plenty of camping room available. Camping is free of charge, with no hook-ups.
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
A website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact the speedway hotline at 302.563.GTWN (4896).
Sources: Brett Deyo/Georgetown Speedway PR