Georgetown Moves Friday’s Melvin L. Joseph Memorial Program To Sunday; Saturday Still On

Story By: BRETT DEYO / GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY – GEORGETOWN, DE – After closely reviewing the forecast for several days, Georgetown Speedway management has announced a schedule change for this weekend’s Melvin L. Joseph Memorial.

The Friday night program, to include Small-Block Modifieds, RUSH Late Models, Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers, has been postponed to SUNDAY, MARCH 8.

The change comes due to predicted rain and snow showers throughout the day and evening on Friday.

The remainder of the weekend calls for clear skies and sunshine to start the 2020 Northeast dirt Modified season.

Saturday’s (March 7) event – headlined by the $10,049-to-win Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modified 49-lap event – will go on as scheduled with one minor change. Pit gates on Saturday will now open at 1 p.m., an hour earlier.

Auto racing icon Ken Schrader will be on hand Saturday to serve as the Grand Marshal and will meet fans from 2:45-3:45 p.m. in the grandstand area.

“We have been monitoring the forecast all week,” Georgetown Speedway promoter Brett Deyo said. “There have been bright spots where Friday was looking better. Unfortunately during the last 24 hours the outlook has grown increasingly worse and all the forecasts are lining up.

“The Sunday forecast looks outstanding to make up the Friday show.”

On Sunday, gates will open at 12:30 p.m. Hot laps hit the track at 2:30 p.m. with racing at 3:30 p.m.

This is the second consecutive year Sunday has been used for the Small-Block event. Last year, all racing was completed by 6:30 p.m., sending fans and racers home early.

Weekend Summary

Saturday (March 7) fires to life with the STSS Modifieds (49 laps, $10,049 to win), STSS Crate 602 Sportsman (25 laps, $1,049 to win), Delmarva Chargers, Delaware Super Trucks and Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars.

Ken Adams of the Melvin L. Joseph Construction company has posted $49 per lap for all 49 laps of the STSS Modified event, a total of $2,401. The money will rotate through the top-seven running order.

Auto racing icon Ken Schrader serves as the weekend’s Grand Marshal and will be available to meet fans.

Pit gates open at 1 p.m., while Grandstand gates unlock at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Hot laps hit the track at 4 p.m., with racing at 5 p.m.

Saturday grandstand admission is $25 (Adults); $20 Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17); $10 Kids (ages 9-12); and Children 8 and under FREE.

Saturday pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10. Children 5 and under pay $2.

Sunday (March 8) consists of a complete Small-Block Modified program (30 laps, $4,049 to win), RUSH Late Models (20 laps, $1,049 to win), Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.

On Sunday, pit and grandstand gates open at 12:30 p.m. with hot laps at 2:30 p.m. and racing gets underway at 3:30 p.m.

Sunday grandstand admission is $25 (Adults); $20 for Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 13-17); $10 Kids (ages 9-12); and Children 8 and under FREE.

Sunday pit admission is $35 (ages 13 and up). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10. Children 5 and under pay $2.

Melvin L. Joseph Memorial weekend passes are available at $45 (Adult Grandstand), $35 (Senior/Student Grandstand), $15 (Kid Grandstand) and $70 (pit area ages 13 and up).

There is plenty of camping room available. Camping is free of charge, with no hook-ups.