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Spring Temperatures, More Than 45 Race Cars, Perfect Track Conditions Kick-Start Georgetown Speedway 2016 Season With Tuesday Open Practice Session; H

GEORGETOWN, DE €“ An unseasonably warm Tuesday night brought on the first activity of the season at Delawares historic Georgetown Speedway.

An Open Practice session on the fast half-mile brought in more than 45 race cars representing a plethora of divisions and hundreds of race-starved fans as a new era of racing began at the facility under the BD Motorsports Media LLC banner. The speedway was open for three hours of track time as drivers prepared their vehicles for the opening weekend, the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial, on March 11-12.

Track conditions €“ smooth and fast €“ drew praise for the long hours put in by preparation specialist Lou Johnson.

Racers and fans alike presented a positive vibe from additional lighting in place at the speedway (thanks to Iron Source of Georgetown) and facility upgrades/improvements.

Among the quickest cars on the stopwatch throughout the evening was last years Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway big-block Modified champion Jamie Mills of Milford, Del. Right on Mills heels was defending Blast at the Beach victor at Georgetown Jordan Watson, also of Milford, shaking down the No. 1J. A notable Modified entrant was Hillsborough, N.J., driver Mike Barone, who made the long haul south from the Garden State to turn laps.

Shawn Ward pulled double-duty during the night, not only behind the wheel of his No. 7W Modified, but also as the proprietor of the speedways official parts, fuel and tire truck: Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply.

Clay Tatman, Dave Schamp and Kevin Gardner were among those taking laps.

The largest contingent in a single division belonged to the Crate 602 Sportsman, led by defending Delaware International Speedway champion Scott Hitchens, his teammate Dylan Betts, rising young gun Jordn Justice, Kevin Sockriter (who pulled double-duty, also running a small-block Modified), Brian Hitz, Fred Massey, Trey Hicks, Matt Smith, Jason Rush, Adam White and more.

Super Late Models €“ to be featured in a pair of $4,000-to-win events June 2 and November 5 at the track €“ were on hand with participants including Donald Lingo, Ross Robinson, Nick Davis and Mike Wharton.

Both the Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers were represented in full force with strong numbers. During a pre-race drivers meeting, a pay raise was announced for both classes, with $200 going to event winners and $40 to take the green flag.

Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars were also represented during the nights activities.

Attention now turns to Friday and Saturday racing this weekend, March 11-12.

On Friday (March 11) open practice is planned. Gates open at 4 p.m. with practice at 6:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is FREE. Pit admission is $20.

The grand reopening of the fabled Georgetown Speedway is Saturday, March 12 with the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial. The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modifieds race 49 laps for $4,900 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $490 to take the green flag. This event is Round No. 1 of the seven-race STSS Velocita South Region with a total point fund of more than $25,000.

Also on the March 12 card: Crate 602 Sportsman, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.

On Saturday (March 12), pit gates open at 11 a.m. and grandstand gates are unlocked at noon. The drivers meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m., with hot laps at 3 p.m. and racing at 4 p.m.

Admission is $20 for Adults. Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17) pay $16. Kids 9-12 are $10 and those under eight are admitted FREE. Pit admission is $35 (ages 13 and up), $10 for Kids 6-12 and $2 for those five and under.

A Sunday, March 13 rain date for the Melvin L. Joseph Memorial will be utilized if needed.

Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1950, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.

A new website is live for the speedway at www.thegeorgetownspeedway.com. Like Georgetown Speedway on Facebook, follow @thegtownspdwy on Twitter, e-mail georgetownspeedway@gmail.com or contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781 during business hours for more information.

To learn more about the Bob Hilbert Sportswear 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.

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