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Delmar, DE 19940
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L-R - Steve Baker, Mark Cashdan, Donald Robinson, Matt Johnson, Jamie Wagner, Bill Brittingham, Duke Walsen, Mel, Joseph, Jr., Albert Mitchell, Emory West, Richard Zack, Bryan Brasure, Tony Daisey, Rick Loveland, Jeff Wheatley, John Stevenson
Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Club Celebrates And Awards Bill Brittingham The 2008 Champion For The Fifth Time
Viola. DE…..January 17, 2009…..Saturday night the Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club honored the 2008 Champion Bill Brittingham of Felton, DE, for the second straight year. Brittingham picked up his fifth championship since being with the club and his second, second back to back championship.
Brittingham’s been busy since joining the club shortly after the club was started around 1996. Brittingham also has under his belt championships for 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and this year 2008. Five championships for anyone can be rare.
Every year we go out there to just do the best we can, states Brittingham. “If we do well then we start to look a little further down the road. You just don’t know how it will go, but my team is so great, I honestly, could not do it without their help, I know I said that, but it is true. Brittingham always claims if it weren’t for his team, help, and sponsors he would not be able to do this.
Lat night was story night as some of the members had a tale or two to tell about racing in the Little Lincoln Vintage Stock Car Club. After thanking everyone, Brittingham started off with a story as a boy. His Mother would tell him a chore such a cutting crass that he would have to perform. She would tell me, "Now Bill you hurry up and get the grass cut and maybe your Dad will take us to the races tonight. His sister would tell him, yeah Bill, hurry up. She didn’t care about the racing she just wanted to go to get her favorite sandwich, laughs Brittingham. Brittingham gives credit to his Mother Alice, for being one of the main sponsors of the car and putting up with all the time spent working on the car and missing this or that? I want to thank all my sponsors.
2008 Championship Bill Brittingham rewards his Wife and Mother a diamond necklace.
Brittingham asked his Mother and wife to come up to the front to him. Brittingham told his wife that he knows it is a lot to ask and you don’t complain and let me race. So this year I wanted to honor you and Mother for all the support and putting up with me” Both women were honed with a diamond necklace and a smile.
2008 Champion honors his crew chief Steve Ellingsworth with an identical trophy as Brittingham received.
“Stevie, my crew chief, keeps me straight and I want to give him a little something special this year. CMJ Graphics, Ellingsworth Brother, Gary, comes out with a 4 ft. (at least) identical trophy just like the champion had just accepted. Surprised but very glad Ellingsworth accepted the trophy without hesitation. One more special traditional award to Brittingham was from CMJ Graphics with a lettered mirror with the champion’s years and stats.
The club went all out this year with flames (much to Walsen’s’ liking) on the trophies to make a change in normal so to call trophies. Anyone that likes racing likes flames! The trophies all had flames on them this year.
On a slightly sad note, Duke Walsen, who has been the MC for the banquet & driver for good number of years, is going to retire after tonight. The Budweiser # 9, just about the only Ford body in the club, but note with a Chevy engine, will be missed on the track. It is not definite but maybe a younger Walsen will climb behind the wheel.
Walsen has been a big fixture in helping to run the club and banquet covering for founder Greg Mitchell when he was unable too. Walsen wanted to go out on top while he could still go out on top. On behalf of the club, another main helper Tony Daisey presented Walsen with a plague to show the clubs appreciation for all the years has put in and hard work. Mitchell will over see much again now that he is back.
Gary Ellingsworth presents Duke Walsen with a nice made memorabilia
Walsen remarked he has had a lot of fun and not so much fun at times. Walsen took a moment to thank everyone and tell a story or two. One story he explained when he was just starting out a driver Albert Mitchell struck him as they went for the checkered out the turn. After the race Mitchell came over to Walsen’s looking all mad and bad, but his name on the driver suit said “fluffy”? So we became friends after that.
Greg Mitchell shakes hands with Duke Walsen with a plague from the club for all his hard work; Walsen is retiring
Another tale Walsen shared was about trouble with another driver Emory West getting into his rear. The next race Walsen said he had a bull’s-eye put on the back of his car so he knew where to hit him since he was hitting me all the time. Walsen brings out a sheet with a bull’s-eye on it and gives it to West as a memoir. We all are friends.
A complete run down of the champions and car number goes like this: Bill Brittingham 4, Jamie Wagner 3, Mel Joseph, Jr. 49, John Stevenson 14A, Donald Robinson, Jr. 64, Mark Cashdan 8, Duke Walsen 9, Steven Baker 79, Emory West 7X, Matt Johnson 69, Chris Loveland 2, Pat McNeal "Elvis" 00, Tony Daisey 7, Albert Mitchell 58, Bryan Brasure 0, Richard Zack 14.
The club had a sensational year with 16 cars in the field for 2008 and all 16 received trophies. It was a grand night with good old fashion beef & dumplings dinner. Founder & Co-founder Greg Mitchell was on hand to see how much the club has grown into and how appreciated by all. These guys all race hard and yet love everyone as well. Mitchell states that there are a good number or new cars coming out this year in the club. I really want to see the club grow even more says Mitchell”.
The schedule tentatively has 7 races at Delmar, not counting Camp Barnes or WoOLMS show should they be asked to race. Georgetown is running a limited schedule for 09 and will be racing on some of those nights too.
Oscar Fields has been the tech but this year he will only be checking the motors. So they are in the look out for a new tech? Keep it in mind if you think you can be a asset.
The club is ready to get going already, but it will be a bit before the season gets going. So right now keep an eye out of the club’s web at www.littlelincolns.com. For all your racing news visit www.redbud69racing.com and check out the largest message board on the shore at Redbud's Message & Chat Board http://redbud69racing.proboards2.com/index.cgi. See you at the track!