Racerchaser
08-16-2009, 08:11 PM
By Charlie Brown,
Delmar, DE (8/15/09)
The Pettyjohn name has been prolific in Delaware Late Model racing. Kenny (104 wins and 10 championships), David (11 wins and one championship) and Mark (two wins) have all deeply etched the Pettyjohn name into the record books. But it was the patriarch of the family and local legend in racing, Eddie Pettyjohn that stood in victory lane following the 20-lap Super Late Model feature Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. It had been more than ten years since his last victory. Running on a limited basis and now at age 63, many thought the 1986 track champion had closed the book on his career at the track which included 51 wins in the Late Models, 24 Modified wins, three Vintage Car and one Econo Modified victory. Now they realize that it has simply been reopened.
Eddie started on the pole in the 20-lap main with his son Mark starting in second. He took control at the drop of the green and by lap two it was a Pettyjohn top three with Eddie, Mark and David leading the way. The first yellow was out on lap four when Mike Parsons lost a wheel coming off the second turn. On the restart, Kerry King got by David Pettyjohn for third.
Ross Robinson quickly moved from eight to fourth as the yellow was out again as Bob Geiger rolled to a stop. On the restart, Robinson went to work on King for third. Both Mark Pettyjohn and King got out of shape shuffling the top five with Robinson climbing to second and Richard Jarvis, Jr. shooting into third. David Pettyjohn held down the fourth spot and Mark Pettyjohn recovered to hold on to fifth.
On lap twelve, Mark Pettyjohn suddenly slowed in the fourth turn stacking up Staci Warrington, Rick Whaley and Ray Davis, Jr. Robinson made a bid for the lead and seemed to have the momentum but the yellow was out for a final time on lap sixteen when Donald Lingo, Jr., who was running in fifth, came to a stop.
Eddie Pettyjohn, in his Hitchens Bros. Trucking/Swartz opened a two car length advantage on the restart and drove to his 52nd career win to the standing ovation by the crowd. The last time I won in a Late Model, pondered Pettyjohn. Oh my dear, I think it was a C.J. Rayburn car, Im not sure, back in 96 or 97. Thank the good Lord for a good night.
Robinson collected a well earned second with Jarvis third. Fourth went to David Pettyjohn and Whaley rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Robinson and David Pettyjohn.
This Saturday night the Vintage Stock Cars will join the five weekly divisions. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m.
RESULTS:
Lap Super Late Model Feature:
1. EDDIE PETTYJOHN;
2. Ross Robinson;
3. Richard Jarvis Jr;
4. David Pettyjohn;
5. Rick Whaley;
6. Dave Hertz;
7. Herb Tunis;
8. Kerry King;
9. Kelly Putz;
10. Donald Lingo Jr;
11. Mark Pettyjohn;
12. Staci Warrington;
13. Ray Davis Jr;
14. David Hill;
15. Bob Geiger;
16. Mike Parsons;
DNS: Dale Lingo; Derrike Hill.
Delmar, DE (8/15/09)
The Pettyjohn name has been prolific in Delaware Late Model racing. Kenny (104 wins and 10 championships), David (11 wins and one championship) and Mark (two wins) have all deeply etched the Pettyjohn name into the record books. But it was the patriarch of the family and local legend in racing, Eddie Pettyjohn that stood in victory lane following the 20-lap Super Late Model feature Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. It had been more than ten years since his last victory. Running on a limited basis and now at age 63, many thought the 1986 track champion had closed the book on his career at the track which included 51 wins in the Late Models, 24 Modified wins, three Vintage Car and one Econo Modified victory. Now they realize that it has simply been reopened.
Eddie started on the pole in the 20-lap main with his son Mark starting in second. He took control at the drop of the green and by lap two it was a Pettyjohn top three with Eddie, Mark and David leading the way. The first yellow was out on lap four when Mike Parsons lost a wheel coming off the second turn. On the restart, Kerry King got by David Pettyjohn for third.
Ross Robinson quickly moved from eight to fourth as the yellow was out again as Bob Geiger rolled to a stop. On the restart, Robinson went to work on King for third. Both Mark Pettyjohn and King got out of shape shuffling the top five with Robinson climbing to second and Richard Jarvis, Jr. shooting into third. David Pettyjohn held down the fourth spot and Mark Pettyjohn recovered to hold on to fifth.
On lap twelve, Mark Pettyjohn suddenly slowed in the fourth turn stacking up Staci Warrington, Rick Whaley and Ray Davis, Jr. Robinson made a bid for the lead and seemed to have the momentum but the yellow was out for a final time on lap sixteen when Donald Lingo, Jr., who was running in fifth, came to a stop.
Eddie Pettyjohn, in his Hitchens Bros. Trucking/Swartz opened a two car length advantage on the restart and drove to his 52nd career win to the standing ovation by the crowd. The last time I won in a Late Model, pondered Pettyjohn. Oh my dear, I think it was a C.J. Rayburn car, Im not sure, back in 96 or 97. Thank the good Lord for a good night.
Robinson collected a well earned second with Jarvis third. Fourth went to David Pettyjohn and Whaley rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Robinson and David Pettyjohn.
This Saturday night the Vintage Stock Cars will join the five weekly divisions. Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m.
RESULTS:
Lap Super Late Model Feature:
1. EDDIE PETTYJOHN;
2. Ross Robinson;
3. Richard Jarvis Jr;
4. David Pettyjohn;
5. Rick Whaley;
6. Dave Hertz;
7. Herb Tunis;
8. Kerry King;
9. Kelly Putz;
10. Donald Lingo Jr;
11. Mark Pettyjohn;
12. Staci Warrington;
13. Ray Davis Jr;
14. David Hill;
15. Bob Geiger;
16. Mike Parsons;
DNS: Dale Lingo; Derrike Hill.