FIRST LADY OF VICTORY LANE; SHELBY KELLY MAKES MASS HISTORY AT MIDDLEFORD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE………

(Oct. 10, 2026):  Shelby Kelly of Runnemeade, NJ made history on Saturday night by becoming the first woman ever to win a DCB Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series A-Main in the 10 year series history.  Kelly outgunned Kyle Spence on the start then held off a late race charge by Eddie Wagner enroute to her first ever career win. She picked up $1000 for the victory sponsored by Betts Towing and Hauling.   

“I have been so close recently, but I still can’t believe it finally happened!” explained an emotional Kelly in victory lane, “I got a great start and wanted to be consistent with my line. I took a deep breath when I got to lapped traffic and remembered to just be smooth and keep my momentum up. This is just incredible!”   

Kelly grabbed the lead at the drop of the green over Kyle Spence and immediately opened up several car lengths on him in the opening laps.  Bob Lilick Jr. and Eddie Wagner contested third with Wagner taking the spot and going after Spence. As Kelly pulled away Wagner caught Spence and they raced side by side for second while Troy Betts was on the move from his 8th starting spot and was not in 4th by lap 8.  Lapped traffic came into play around the halfway point with Wagner taking over second. With 10 laps remaining Kelly began to encounter more traffic as Wagner closed in. Spence, Betts and the winner the first time MASS was at Middleford, Dan Leaper, were suddenly right together competing for third. Wagner got within a couple car lengths of Shelby with 6 laps to go, but Kelly got by the lapped car of 2026 rookie of the year Kurt Rainey and reopened her lead.  The final five laps saw Betts and Leaper waging a war for the fourth position, but all eyes were focused on Kelly and the finish of her quest. She handled the final two laps in traffic masterfully and crossed under the checkered flags for her long awaited first win.  Eddie Wagner settled for second, with Kyle Spence getting third.  Troy Betts won the battle for fourth and in doing so he pocketed the $500 weekend bonus for the best average finish for both nights sponsored by Betts Garage. Dan Leaper, who won his first career feature in July here at Middleford, was fifth.   

Rounding out the top ten were Zach Fields, Dave Brown, Ryan Stillwaggon, Bob Lilick Jr. and Friday’s winner Cody West. 

Heats were won by Kyle Spence & Ryan Stillwaggon.  Zach Fields set the new track record at 13.411 in hot laps, winning the Next Generation Construction Quick Time award for the first time this year. Eight drivers broke the existing track record set when the series visited for the first time back in July.    

10/10/26

DCB’s Plumbing & Heating Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series presented by Capitol Renegade

Middleford Speedway, Seaford, DE

All-State Auto Glass Heat #1: 1.) Kyle Spence ($50) 2.) Eddie Wagner 3.) Dan Leaper 4.) Shelby Kelly 5.) Dave Brown Jr.

All-State Auto Glass Heat #2: 1.) Ryan Stillwaggon ($50) 2.) Troy Betts 3.) Bob Lilick Jr. 4.) Kevin Darling 5.) Kurt Rainey

A-Main Feature Results (25 Laps):

1.) SHELBY KELLY 2.) Eddie Wagner 3.) Kyle Spence 4.) Troy Betts 5.) Dan Leaper 6.) Zach Fields 7.) Dave Brown Jr. 8.) Ryan Stillwaggon 9.) Bob Lilick Jr. 10.) Cody West 11.) Kurt Rainey 12.) Kevin Darling 13.) Bill Sorey 14.) Dirk Rimrott 15.) Rick Lafferty  

Contingency Awards: 

Tin Hoagie Customs Highest Pill Draw $50: Zach Fields 

Next Generation Construction Quick Time in Hot Laps $50: Zach Fields 13.411 

Professional Design Services Most Laps Led $100: Shelby Kelly

Bitner Automotive Lightning Fast Lap in Feature $50: Troy Betts 

Janney Electric Hard Charger Award $50: Zach Fields +5 

Kreider Manufacturing Hard Luck Award (25% off Order Coupon): Rick Lafferty

WheelsofSpeed.com Lucky 13th Place Starter $30: Cody West

JWK Electric 12th place finisher $50: Kevin Darling

Insinger Performance Tail End of Lead Lap (10 Gal. Fuel): Cody West