SEAFORD, Del. — Alex Yankowski became the first Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco multi-time Modified winner of 2026 on Tuesday night at Middleford Speedway.
The series debuted at the Delaware quarter-mile oval with the Clash at the Quarter-Mile Colosseum presented by Matt the Carpet Guy.
Middleford is now the 51st venue to host a Modified event and marked the return to Delaware for the first time since 2024.
The speedway was jammed to capacity with fans being part of the inaugural event.
Yankowski earned $5,000 for his third career STSS Modified victory. The Covington Township, Pa., driver previously won at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y., this season on May 21.
“Hats off to all these race fans here in Delaware,” Yankowski said. “These guys (the Middleford management team) are trying to make a go of it. The more tracks we can get on the series, the better.”
Yankowski picked the worst available position – ninth – in the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw but was not to be deterred.
He inherited the lead after 19 laps around the Sussex County venue when race-long leader Ryan Krachun – who started from the pole – relinquished the top spot with a flat left-rear tire on the Daniel Sommeling No. 51.
“I think Ryan was going to be really tough there, so that’s unfortunate for him,” Yankowski said.
Once in command, Yankowski’s Millman’s NAPA Auto Parts No. 84Y was never seriously challenged, surviving several restarts including a final yellow inside the final five laps.
Danny Creeden – a short-track specialist – chased Yankowski across the line with a $3,000 runner-up finish.
Delaware standout Jordan Watson roared through the field after a spin on lap three placed him at the tail of the field. Watson cleared Michael Maresca on the final lap to complete the podium.
Maresca and Louden Reimert completed the front five.
Jaxon Hill won the first STSS Sportsman event of his career in the accompanying 25-lap event for the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
The finish:
Feature (50 laps): 1. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[9]; 2. 16X-Danny Creeden[3]; 3. 1J-Jordan Watson[4]; 4. 7MM-Michael Maresca[10]; 5. 16-Louden Reimert[8]; 6. 6-Danny Bouc[12]; 7. 6D-Dillon Steuer[6]; 8. 26-Ryan Godown[15]; 9. 7M-Paul Mancini[18]; 10. 51-Ryan Krachun[1]; 11. 5B-Bobby Butler[14]; 12. 52-Jason Musser[13]; 13. 39-Joseph Watson[11]; 14. 13T-Anthony Tramontana[17]; 15. 91-Luke Bunting[7]; 16. 4-Anthony Perrego[5]; 17. 6S-Matt Stangle[2]; 18. 8MOD-Norman Short Jr[16]
