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STSS Race Day: Jake Marine Memorial Storylines, Stars & Sleepers

Written by Chris Moore

GEORGETOWN, DE – 85 Raceday.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco begins the 2024 championship chase this afternoon at Georgetown Speedway.

The Sussex County oval plays host to the ‘Jake Marine Memorial,’ honoring one of Delaware’s greatest racing icons, featuring the No. 85 in prominent display throughout the event, which was the number Marine’s cars possessed.

The STSS Modifieds kick off the season with a 40-lap, $8,500 prize up for grabs to kick off the 2024 points season.

THE STORYLINES

NJ Quality Drywall debuts as the South Region title sponsor as Georgetown Speedway hosts the opening round of the $15,000 title fight for the stars of the South Region.

Additionally, 2024 features the debut of the Ollie’s Overall Championship. Georgetown Speedway hosts Round No. 1 of the chase, which will keep standings for drivers’ finishes at every STSS event, regardless of region.

The inaugural ‘Jake Marine Memorial’ took place in 2023 at neighboring Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, Del., where Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard used a last-lap pass for the victory.

One of Modified racing’s all-time greats begins his first ever quest for an STSS championship. Sussex, N.J.’s Brett Hearn will trek to Georgetown in pursuit of the $8,500 top prize.

THE STARS

Ringoes, N.J.’s Ryan Godown enters 2024 re-energized after a relatively disappointing STSS season in 2023. Godown, however, ran on the podium in both 2023 STSS events at Georgetown Speedway in 2023 and wound up the Millman’s NAPA Modified Champion at Georgetown.

Matt Sheppard opened 2024 just as he closed 2023, on the top of the heap. ‘Super’ Matt claimed three of the four ‘Sunshine Swing’ events at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, Fla., and will look to bring the momentum with him back up North.

Pipersville, Pa.’s Danny Bouc closed out ’23 with his first career STSS triumph at Georgetown. Bouc won the ‘Mid-Atlantic Championship’ and led the speed charts in Friday night’s practice session at Georgetown.

THE SLEEPERS

Branchburg, N.J.’s Ryan Krachun topped the field in the season opener at Georgetown Speedway last season. The youngster, however, is still in search of win No. 1 with the STSS.

Brandon Grosso has run strong in the past at Georgetown Speedway but is still in search of his first win at the four-tenths-mile oval. The Garden State native will continue to chase the top of the mountain in the ’24 opener.

Bohemia, N.Y.’s Dillon Steuer returns to family owned equipment in the ‘Jake Marine Memorial.’ Steuer came home fourth in River Valley Builders North Region points in ’23 and was the small-block Modified champion at Orange County Fair Speedway.

ALSO IN ACTION

The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman open up the Belmont’s Garage South Region season with a 25-lap, $1,850-to-win feature event and their Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman season at Georgetown.

The Feebs Distilling Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks are also on the docket for 12-lap, features only affairs.

ON THE HORIZON

‘Big money season’ starts early in 2024, as Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway hosts the Spring ‘Speed Showcase’ on Fri.-Sat., March 15-16.

A Friday morning practice precedes Bob Hilbert Sportswear Qualifying Night before Saturday’s main events.

The STSS Modifieds do battle for a $50,000 winner's share at the end of the 75-lap affair.

The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman go for 50-laps and a $4,000 top prize and the New York based Pro Stocks race for 25-laps and a $1,250 winner’s purse.

DIRT DRAFT

Don’t forget to set your Dirt Draft lineups before the night’s first heat race begins.

Visit www.dirtdraft.com or download the app to join Dirt Draft and compete against thousands of others for the entire 2024 STSS season. A subscription is just $5.99 a month with plenty of prizes up for grabs in the Dirt Draft Speed Shop.

Following along with the STSS on Dirt Draft throughout the ‘24 season will pay one lucky fan dividends at year-end.

The STSS Dirt Draft Champion receives two tickets to the STSS year-end banquet and will be honored with a custom trophy presented by Dirt Draft.

GATES AND PRICES

For the March 10 event, pit gates open at 11 a.m., with the grandstands unlocking at 12 p.m. Penske Racing Shocks hot laps are slated for 1:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 2:30 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25 for Adults, $20 for Seniors (ages 65 & up) and Students (ages 13-17). Kids (ages 9-12) are admitted for $10 and Children 8 & under are FREE.

Pit admission is $45 (ages 13 & up). Kids (ages 6-12) are admitted for $10 and Children ages 5 & under are $2.

HOW TO WATCH

The entire night of racing will be broadcast live on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) via the annual subscription.

Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, 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 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 the speedway hotline at 302.563.GTWN (4896).

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.

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