News Director 
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – DELMAR, DE – The “race of the week” for NJ, PA and DE race fans serves as a kickoff to the Memorial Day weekend.
On Thursday, May 25, Delaware International Speedway hosts the ‘Diamond State 50’ for Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modifieds. The event is Race No. 3 for the STSS Velocita-USA South Region.
A stellar field of STSS Modifieds is beginning to take shape for the 50-lap event offering $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to start.
Notably, auto racing legend Kenny Brightbill of Sinking Spring, Pa., will make a rare Modified start in his 50th – and final – season of racing. Brightbill was tabbed as the driver for First State car owner Keith Coulbourne in a No. 55 for the ‘Diamond State 50’ special. It was aboard Coulbourne’s equipment that Brightbill won his last Modified track championship at Delaware International Speedway in 2010.
Another Hall of Fame driver – Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa. – plans a return to Delaware International Speedway driving the Adirondack Auto-backed No. 35 big-block, a car Cozze will drive in select special events this summer.
Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., sits atop the STSS South Region standings with two events in the books. Horton has a win to his credit in the First State this season, taking the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial at Georgetown Speedway in March.
Horton’s Halmar International teammate Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., is the defending ‘Diamond State 50’ winner and plans to return to Delaware International in search of another triumph.
The Pauch family – Billy Sr. and Jr. – will each be in competition, Sr. in the Kevin Bifulco No. 1 and Jr. in the Daniel Sommeling No. 51. Other Jersey standouts include 2015 ‘Diamond State 50’ winner David Van Horn Jr. in the Fred Vahlsing No. 323ov, Ryan Godown, and, fresh off solid runs at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway in the most recent STSS event, former Delaware International winner Wade Hendrickson, Neal Williams in the Sal DeBruno No. 0 and Richie Pratt Jr. in the family owned No. 28.
From Pennsylvania, the ‘Big Three’ of Duane Howard in the Norm Hansell No. 357, Jeff Strunk in the Keystone Racing No. 126 and Craig Von Dohren driving the Dick Biever No. 14s are set to bring their PA Dual-Track battles south. Among the other potent Keystone State entrants are Ryan Watt in the Roberts Racing entry, Rick Laubach who is a Delaware International winner this season and Danny Bouc driving the Mike Bent No. 88.
Delaware drivers will look to defend home state honors, led by Jordan Watson, Jamie Mills, H.J. Bunting, Matt Jester, Kevin Sockriter, Brad Trice and many more!
Joining the STSS Modifieds on the Delaware International card at Crate 602 Sportsman and Delaware Super Trucks.
Complete rules, prices, times and race information for the ‘Diamond State 50’ can be found at the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/diamond-state-50-rules-prices-general-info/
In the event of rain, a postponement date will be announced.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
Delaware International Speedway, located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, Delaware 19940, is on the web at www.delawareracing.com and can be contacted by phone, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at 302.846.3911.
