BUNTING GETS SECOND WIN IN FOUR DAYS - July 13, 2002
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE (7/14/02) - H.J. Bunting of Milford, Del. followed up Wednesday night's Camp Barnes win with his second Big Block Modified win of the week, Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. It was his fourth win of the season in the J&M; Roofing/Speed Palace/Bunting No. 91. Jon Callaway of Harrington, Del. drove the Bennie's Junction/Lightning/Suzuki to his second win in the companion Modified Lite 15-lap feature.
Defending point champion, Craig Mullins bolted away from the field at the drop of the green. The first lap had just gotten in the books when a four car tangle in the second turn saw rookie Jim Carey getting upside down and bringing out the red flag. No one was injured in the crash.
Kyle Strickler moved by Robert Dutton for second on the restart with H.J. Bunting climbing to third one lap later. Mullins opened a comfortable lead as Bunting battled Strickler for second. At the halfway sign the top five were Mullins, Strickler, Bunting, Rick Bishop, and Dutton.
With the race staying green, Strickler and Bunting started to reel in the leader. Strickler caught Mullins on lap 17 and one lap later moved by to take the lead with Bunting and Bishop following into second and third.
With five to go it was Bunting moving on top just as the caution flew for Adam Jarrell. Bishop grabbed the second spot as the caution came out for a final time on lap 22. On the restart, Bishop tried the inside of Bunting but Bunting maintained the high line to the checkered just 0.495 seconds ahead of Bishop. Mullins got by Strickler for third on the final lap with Dutton holding on for fifth.
"It was kind of tight in the beginning," said Bunting in reference to his car's handling. "Once they got racing against each other it opened up a lane and I just went through it." Sixth through tenth were Adam Jarrell, Andy Best, Doug Rose, Norman Short, and Sparky White. Bunting and Mullins won the heats.
Dana Walker powered by Lucky Kohland and Steve White to lead lap one of the Modified Lite feature. Three cautions in the first four laps kept the field tightly packed. Tom Curtis moved into second with Mike Vammino moving to third. Vammino got by Curtis for second on lap five. Jon Callaway was on the charge and moved to third with Bobby Walls following in fourth.
Callaway moved into the second spot behind Walker at the halfway sign with Vammino, Mike Stratton, and Walls holding down the top five. Vammino slowed and Walls moved by Stratton for third. Callaway took the lead with four laps left to go with Walls following into second. Walls made a couple of attempts to pass Callaway on the inside but Callaway held on for his second win of 2002.
Rounding out the top five were Walls, Walker, Tom Curtis, and Herb Tunis. Sixth through tenth were White, Landis Musser, Ron Riccio, Kohland, and Dale Hawkins.
This Saturday night will be Valley National Gases Night with the United Racing Club making its fifth appearance of the season in the Taylor & Messick Delaware Sprint Series. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with heats at 7:30 p.m.
25-Lap Modified Feature: 1. H.J. Bunting; 2. Rick Bishop; 3. Craig Mullins; 4. Kyle Strickler; 5. Robert Dutton; 6. Adam Jarrell; 7. Andy Best; 8. Doug Rose; 9. Norman Short; 10. Sparky White; 11. Scott Irwin; 12. Dave Simmons; 13. Chad Marvel; 14. Ricky Johnson; 15. Gary Simpson; 16. Rusty Lesher; 17. Howard Mullins; 18. Jim Carey; 19. Cliff Foskey; 20. Darren Wroten; 21. Doug Beach; 22. Ellsey Conover. DNQ: Mike Covey; Deron Rust.
15-Lap Modified Lite Feature: 1. Jon Callaway; 2. Bobby Walls III; 3. Dana Walker; 4. Tom Curtis; 5. Herb Tunis; 6. Steve White; 7. Landis Musser; 8. Ron Riccio; 9. Lucky Kohland; 10. Dale Hawkins; 11. Mike Stratton; 12. Kirk Lawson; 13. Mike Vammino; 14. George Richardson; 15. Tim White; 16. John Curtis; 17. Joe Warren.