News Director 
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – DELMAR, DE – Delaware International Speedway will kick off its 2019 Modified season Tuesday night (April 30) with an ‘all-star’ field.
The ‘Diamond State 50’ presented by Hurlock Auto & Speed of Hurlock, Md., offers a pay structure of more than $25,000 at the Cathell family’s facility including $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th, $400 to take the green flag plus special awards and bonuses.
A talent-laden field is assembling for this anticipated 50-lap Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco event, Race No. 3 of the Velocita-USA South Region presented by Sunglass Central and Design for Vision.
The two hottest drivers of dirt Modified racing – Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen – crossed the line in a near photo finish Saturday night at N.Y.’s Fonda Speedway. The pair will clash again Tuesday night on the clay in Delmar. Both drivers are past winners of the ‘Diamond State 50’ event, with Friesen having won in 2016 and Sheppard in 2018.
Friesen will spend the week racing in Delaware. After competing at Delaware International, he looks to hold the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series point lead Friday at Dover International Speedway.
Anthony Perrego is the most recent STSS Velocita-USA South Region victor in March at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway. Perrego, driving for Delmarva car owner Gary Simpson, looks to go for two-for-two in the region.
A fan favorite in Delaware and the defending STSS Velocita-USA South Region champion Ryan Watt, who won the ’17 edition of the Diamond State 50. Watt considers Delaware International among his favorite tracks.
Making the long haul from Sheffield, Mass., to compete at Delaware International is Andy Bachetti, a past three-time Halmar International North Region champion.
The Pennsylvania ‘Big Three’ of Craig Von Dohren, Jeff Strunk and Duane Howard look to invade the First State and leave with the $5,000 top prize.
Mike Gular now calls the five-eighths-mile Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., home on Saturday nights. With more ‘big track’ experience under his belt, Gular and the Terry Fasnacht team are ready to invade Delmar.
New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway will be well represented at the ‘Diamond State 50’ with Saturday night Twin 20 victor Ryan Krachun leading a contingent that includes past event winner David Van Horn Jr., Billy Pauch Jr., Danny Bouc, Brandon Grosso and Matt Stangle.
Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway will be well represented with recent winner Rick Laubach and Richie Pratt Jr., now at the controls of the Daniel Sommeling-owned No. 51 and Roger Manning among those planning to compete.
The only driver from Delaware ever to win a STSS event is defending Delaware International Speedway champion Jordan Watson, who leads the First State contingent that includes his brother Joseph, H.J. Bunting, Shawn Ward, Kevin Sockriter, Jordn Justice, Clay Tatman, Ryan Riddle and more.
Mid-Atlantic Super Late Model favorite Amanda Whaley plans a return to the Modifieds on Tuesday night in a family fielded No. 4 car.
Also on the card: STSS Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win), Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars and Delaware Super Trucks.
Complete race information has been posted on the STSS website: http://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/DiamondStateGeneralInformationSheet2019.pdf
For the ‘Diamond State 50’ all gates open at 4 p.m. A drivers’ meeting is planned for 6 p.m. Hot laps hit the track at 6:30 p.m., with racing at 7:15 p.m.
Adult grandstand admission is $25. Students (ages 7-13) pay $5. Kids 6 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $35 (no license required). Students (ages 7-13) pay $10 for pit admittance and Kids 6 and under are FREE.
In the event of inclement weather, a rain date of May 1 is in place for this event.
