The much awaited first event of the seven event Full Throttle racing Series took place Sunday night at the Delaware International Speedway. A hefty purse and mild Spring weather attracted a solid field of 32 Modifieds and 21 AC Delco 602 Sportsman for the “Messick Family 40” night.
On Sunday night, Laubach demonstrated just how powerful the Kerr all-aluminum small block car was when he shattered the track record in hot laps with a lap of 17.850.
Jordan Watson, Jimmy Horton, Craig VonDohren and Laubach would capture the four heat wins. The top three from each heat drew for the top 12 starting spot in the feature with Duane Howard pulling the No. 1 starting spot.
Howard would lead the first lap but Laubach came blasting from fourth to lead lap three. Jamie Mills was on the move from fifth and took second from Howard. The yellow was out on lap eight when David VanHorn came to a stop. On the restart, Howard left early and was put to the rear. VonDohren was now riding in third and searching all over the track for a way around Mills. At the halfway sign it was Laubach out front followed by Mills, VonDohren and Watson.
VonDohren would eventually find a way around the mills machine for second, and would pressure Laubach for the lead right up until the last lap of the race when a right rear would go down on the VonDohren machine. He would limp around the final lap to finish a disappointing seventh.
Laubach had no problems on the final circuit, taking the checkered and heading to Victory lane. “I’ve been racing for 23 years,” smiled Laubach following the win. “This is the best car I have ever driven. Laubach also picked up the $4000 payday plus lap money.
Bicknell Racing products customers swept the top 4 positions with Jamie Mills finishing second, Jordan Watson third and fourth going to Jimmy Horton.
Congratulations also to 602 Sportsman feature Winner Dwayne Crockett. Crockett was in record braking form on Sunday, when he too set a new track record of 20.05 for the Sportsman division.
Crockett started on the pole and would drive a flawless 20 laps to pick up his first checkered of the season.