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BILLY DECKER CLAIMS FIRST EVER T3 ALL STAR SERIES EVENT
The Gypsum Express driver tops a record breaking field of 358 Modifieds
(Woodhull, NY) The Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, NY was the setting for round three of the 2008 T3 All Star Series for 358 Modifieds presented by Troyer Race Cars. A record car count of 56 small block entries jammed the Thunder Mountain pit area and a packed grandstand witnessed one of the most competitive events in the four history of the T3 All Star Series touring group. Under absolutely perfect weather conditions seven qualifying heat and three consolation events were staged to determine the 30 car starting field with nearly as many drivers not making the 40 lap main event as those that did. John and Laura Wight of Gypsum Wholesalers along with Dick and Shelly Stark of Thunder Mountain were the back bone of the event which never materalized until just six weeks ago, but with the huge purse involved including the $2,500 winners share coupled with $200 just to take the green the show was an absolute success. Josh Pursell who claimed the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Red Cat Pole Position along with outside front row starter, Paul Jensen led the field to the opening green flag with Jensen jumping into the early lead The first eleven laps were run without incident before several yellow flags slowed the event between laps twelve and fourteen. However, when things settled down it was Jansen still at the point, however his lead would be short lived as Billy Decker was moving to the front quickly and after disposing Jensen on lap fifteen he opened up a comfortable lead that he would never relinquish. A mandatory fuel stop occurred on lap twenty five for the two alcohol powered machines that did make the feature field and after both Jimmy Holden and Tom McGurrin were allowed to top off. The feature then went back to green with Decker distancing himself from the second place running machine of Jensen as Pat Ward kept the leaders within striking distance. Billy VanPelt, the three time and defending series champion was moving thru the field nicely and was up to fourth and kept Ward occupied for the entire second half of the 40 lap grind. Curt VanPelt who earlier in the evening had won the Dash for Cash in convincing style over Pat Ward was chasing brother Billy when he suddenly exited the event near the three quarter mark allowing Tom McGurrin to move into the top five. One final caution late in the event bunched the field one final time, but Decker was just to tough to handle on this night and cruised to the win followed by Paul Jensen who was never out of the top two all race long. Pat Ward had to settle for third making it a Gypsum Express one/three finish as he was followed by Billy VanPelt and Tom McGurrin. Brent Wilcox used his knowledge of the Thunder Mountain Speedway to finish sixth at the finish as he was chased across the line by Steve Paine who had to come from twenty-second starting position, Mike Colsten, pole starter, Josh Pursell and Jimmy Holden. For Holden and his family it made the seven hour trip back to western Pennsylvania much easier has he won his qualifying heat, made the Dash for Cash and finished in the feature top ten. Current high point leader heading into the Thunder Mountain event was Brad Rapp, but problems plagued the Shippenburg, Pa. speedster all night long and he finally exited the event via the hook after using a provisional to make the feature starting field.
The next T3 All Star Series for 358 Modifieds presented by Troyer Race Cars event is scheduled for Saturday, September 13 at the Woodhull Raceway as it will be the Annual Lyle Sherwood Memorial. Sunday, September 14 has been reserved as a rain date for the event. The series then heads back to Little Valley for a double header on Sept. 20 followed by the Little Guy Nationals at Mercer Raceway Park on Sept. 27. The 2008 campaign will come to a conclusion at the Woodhull Raceway on October 4.
T3 ALL STAR SERIES FOR 358 MODIFIEDS PRESENTED BY TROYER RACE CARS.
Race Results: Thunder Mountain Speedway Event #3 Entries 56
Swarthout Recycling Heats: Pat Ward, Brian Malcolm, Curt VanPelt, Jimmy Holden, Mike Mahaney, Billy Decker, Roy Shields
Suzuki Motorcycles and ATV’s Consi’s: Steve Paine, Ed White, Scott Conover
Dash for Cash: (All heat race winners qualified) Curt VanPelt
L.J. Kennedy Trucking 40 lap feature: Billy Decker (1), Paul Jensen, Pat Ward, Billy VanPelt, Tom McGurrin, Brent Wilcox, Steve Paine, Mike Colsten, Josh Pursell, Jimmy Holden, Dale Welty, Brian Weaver, Mike Mahaney, Ed White, Bryan Terwilliger, Tim Votra, Scott Conover, Stacy Jackson, Mark Frankhouser, Brad Rapp, Brent Boyer, Dylan Dewert, Curt VanPelt, Brian Malcolm, Dave Calaman, Alan Rudalavage, J.R. Hulburt, Dan Pompey, Ken Titus, Roy Shields
DNQ: (In no particular order) Steve Hartman Jr., Ray Dann, Vern Wasson, Ray Bliss Jr., Larry Wight, D.J. Godwin, Bob Hamm, Ricky Yetter, Jarred Keeney, Jim Mahaney, Ray Hyer, Chris Grbac, Randy Brokaw, Brett Welch, Danny Tyler, Ron White, Tim Guild, Tony Harris, Darwin Green, Bobby Sandt Jr., Kevin Bates, Wade Decker, Scott Allen, Chris Clark, Alex Tonkin, John Morse
Special Awards:
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Red Cat Pole: Josh Pursell
Dewert Speed Award: Billy VanPelt
VP Racing Fuels Award: Dylan Dewert
Lias Tire Hard Luck Award: Alan Rudalavage
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Best Looking Move Award: Steve Paine
Genesis Shocks Shocking Experience Qualifiers: Dave Calaman, J.R. Hurlburt, Dan Pompey, Brad Rapp, Stacy Jackson, Ray Dann, Steve Hartman Jr., Vern Wasson
Red’s Speed Shop Qualifiers: Pat Ward, Mike Colsten, Curt VanPelt,
Insinger Race Fuels Awards: Roy Shields, Mike Mahaney, Mark Frankhouser
Leaf Racewear Award: Tom McGurrin
S&W Awards and Photos Hard Charger Award: Dale Welty
Lap 17 Award in Memory of Lyle Sherwood sponsored by Wilkins RV: Billy Decker
Other sponsors include Morollo Racing Engines, Wilkins RV, S&W Awards, Photos and Printing, Signs Plus of Kanona, Gater News, Calaman’s Radiator, ISC Racers Tape,
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