Short Track Super Series Diamond State 50 Tradition To Continue May 16th At Delaware Int’l

Story By: CHAD CATHELL / DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY – DELMAR, DE – A piece of history.

The ‘Diamond State 50’ enjoys a unique and storied history in First State auto racing at Delaware International Speedway. The tradition continues Tuesday, May 16 (rain date: May 17) when the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco takes over the half-mile oval on the Delaware-Maryland border.

In its first three editions, the ‘Diamond State 50’ pitted Modifieds against Super Late Models in a clash of the two divisions.

Legends Gary Stuhler (1999), Kenny Brightbill (2000) and Jimmy Horton (2001) staked their claim in the early years.

For ’02, the Modifieds and Super Late Models split into separate events.

Horton picked up his second ‘Diamond State’ triumph in the Modifieds, with David Hill taking the Super Late Model portion in ’02.

Rain nixed the ’03 edition. The next year, Ricky Elliott (Modified) and Kenny Pettyjohn (Super Late Model) were victorious, with Danny Johnson (Modified) and David Hill (Super Late Model) the ’05 winners.

The ‘Diamond State 50’ took a 10-year hiatus before a partnership between BD Motorsports Media LLC and the Cathell family brought its return in August 2015.

The event became part of the Short Track Super Series in ’15 and has remained part of the circuit since.

David Van Horn Jr. topped the ’15 edition for his first-ever STSS victory.

No one has enjoyed more success in the rebirth of the ‘Diamond State 50’ than Stewart Friesen with four victories coming in ’16, ’20, ’21 and ’22.

Matt Sheppard took back-to-back events in ’18 and ’19.

Pennsylvania’s Ryan Watt upset the Friesen/Sheppard combo with a win in ’17.

This year’s edition is set for May 16 with the STSS Rent Equip/Party Central South Region Modifieds racing 50 laps for $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green.

STSS Belmont’s Garage South Region Crate 602 Sportsman hit the track in a South Region event paying $1,500 to win and $100 to start.

Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers, with 12-lap features each, complete the program.

One ticket booth will open at 3 p.m. for early pit admission. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.

Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17) pay $20. Kids (ages 9-12) pay $10 and Children 8 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $40 (Non-Members), $35 (NASCAR Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children ages 5 and under.