Race honors Milton’s Cody Hopkins

A special memorial race was held at the US 13 Kartway in Delmar Aug. 25 to honor Milton native Cody Hopkins, who died in a June 19 automobile accident. 

Cody’s parents and other family members attended the race. Before the features started, Cody’s father, Bill, honored his son’s memory by driving Cody’s No. 27 kart five times around the 1/8-mile dirt oval. 

“It means a lot to me to have all these people here tonight,” Hopkins said, choking back tears. “We used to race every Friday and Saturday night. We started out in Big Block Modified. We got out of that and started racing karts with the kids. It means a lot to me to come back to this community and the racing aspect of it.  My nephew races here, and it’s great, it’s just great to have all these folks here tonight.”

Stephen Adams of Four Oaks, N.C., fattened his wallet with $2,200 in purse earnings. Earlier this year during the first of five Battle at the Beach races, Adams pocketed $3,000. 

Adams won three of four classes he entered Aug. 25, starting with the night’s second feature, Flathead, where his No. 92 kart was first under the checkered flag.  

“Yeah, I like it up here in Delaware,” Adams said. “I always have good luck up here. The guy I drive for, Bryan [Bradford], he knows a lot about this place. I’ve been fortunate enough to race up here a lot, and I’ve gotten pretty good around here.” 

Later that night, Adams led a field of 17-PRO Clone Heavy racers for 27 laps with perfection. With $1,700 waiting for him at the stripe, Adams never surrendered the lead. 

Also on hand to celebrate Cody Hopkins’ life and support his karting team was NASCAR Xfinity series driver/announcer/wrestling promoter Hermie Sadler III. Sadler flew up from his home in Emporia, Va., visited with his team and competed in the Animal Super Heavy Heat. Time constraints brought in Zach Bullis to qualify their PRO Animal Super Heavy kart.

Bullis, a Millsboro-based Premier kart pilot/mechanic who works part time at Sadler Karting in Virginia, came to wrench for his boss and wound up driving that night. He didn’t disappoint his boss, as he won both features.  

Sadler didn’t make Animal Super Heavy’s win easy for his young apprentice. After the driver change, Bullis was forced to start last in the eight-racer field. Bullis battled his way to the front and took charge of the field just before mid-race. The night got better for Bullis, as he won a second race.  

Two other locals were double winners. Milton racer Hunter Heck dominated the Junior 3 offerings. Georgetown’s Racyn Hayes ruled both Junior 1 races.

Next up on US 13 Kartway’s schedule is round two of the Battle at the Beach, which, weather permitting, will be raced Saturday, Sept. 9.