US 13 Dragway

US 13 Starting Line Damage to the Track Halts the Hillbilly Bracket Bash

6/30/2024

US 13 Dragway

US 13 Starting Line Damage to the Track Halts the Hillbilly Bracket Bash

Delmar, DE

“This is definitely not the way we envisioned the 2024 Hillbilly Bracket Bash to end,” states Mark Cathell, promoter of SDM Promotions. With a full field of 64 cars lined up for the kickoff to the Hillbilly Bracket Bash, the track was ready and the drivers showed up to support the race. “When we got down to the 1/4’s and semi’s off the 64 Car Top, 32 Car Mod and High Roller races, we had a catastrophic chunk of concrete break loose on the starting line.” state Cathell. With track crew and concrete experts examining the issue, the decision was made that for the safety of drivers, track crew and spectators to conclude for the night. Track personnel, with the help of many drivers and concrete experts worked well into Saturday morning to repair the damage. Saturday started off good when the first pairs of dragsters hit the track and the repair seemed to be working. It went well into the afternoon with high surface temperatures holding tight, but when the temp started to drop the concrete through swelling and expanding lost its support and cracked again. “One of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make was to cancel the rest of the weekend,” says Cathell. Even with all the efforts made, the starting line concrete was a driver safety and liability concern.

Several racers came to us telling us the “track was tight and some of the personal best times were being put down.” “My husband had put in many hours of trial and error working the track surface and he’s found a combination that works for this track,” says Denise Cathell. We could not ask for a better person to prepare a great racing surface than Mark. We are finally moving forward with the track surface and this issue will not stop what we are doing. It was heartbreaking to see it happen, but we will fix it and get back to racing as soon as possible.

The race teams with entries into Sundays race will receive in the mail the credit toward the August Hillbilly Bash with a reduced weekend entry. “My wife will be reaching out this week to those drivers and make necessary arrangements, “ said Cathell.

We cannot thank our sponsors, drivers and the best fans out there for all the support and assistance provided this weekend to try to get the race completed. “I will meet with my dad this week so we can get the process rolling to make the necessary repairs,” states Mark Cathell. We will be back in action in July.

If you are a dirt track fan, or never have been to a dirt track race, come out July 13 and watch some circle track action and see some of the best dirt track racers competing at Delaware International Speedway.

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