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Steve Hartman Jr. Motors to Sportsman Open Victory at Woodhull
Deinhart, Powell and Hill Also Get Checkers
Woodhull, NY. Under cloudy skies and an occasional drizzle, 105 cars braved the elements and beat Mother Nature as Woodhull Raceway put its second night of open races into the books. An even mix of Woodhull regulars and visiting competitors celebrated in victory lane, as the damp evening provided a super smooth and fast racing surface.
28 cars checked in for the S&W Awards Sportsman Open. Last week's run-away winner, Grant Hilfiger, had luck on his side and drew the pole for the main event. Hilfiger would start the race surrounded by a flock of Woodhull regulars, as veteran LJ Kennedy Trucking Modified driver Don Lawson filled in the front row and 2007 Sportsman champion Bill Brewer started directly behind in third. At the drop of the green, Hilfiger quickly powered his way to the early lead, with Lawson closely in tow for second. Jim LaRock, who started fourth, motored by Brewer for the third spot as Steve Hartman Jr. wheeled his machine to the high side of the track while running fifth. It wasn't long before Hilfiger opened up a five car length lead and appeared as if he might walk away with his second consecutive victory. Lawson followed in second, but was working hard to hold back the advances of Hartman, who was still planted on the extreme outside rim of the track. LaRock had his hands full as well, as another Modified regular, Roger Williams, had cracked the top five and was charging hard. After a pair of brief cautions, Williams made short work of getting to the front as he dove under one car after another and soon found himself drawing in on Hilfiger's back bumper. Hartman wasn't ready to throw in the towel just yet, and kept hammering the high side as he kept the two leaders in sight. As the action was heating up in the top three spots, 2008 track champ Donnie Lawson was methodically making his way into the top five, with Larry Keegan and Mike Jackson closely in tow. Hilfiger clung tight to the lead as Williams, Hartman and Lawson spread three wide behind him for the runner-up spot. The three hometown pilots continued to slice and dice and trade positions all while not letting Hilfiger get out of sight. The lead pack experienced an anxious moment as a lap machine spun directly in front of Hilfiger and sent the top five scattering. Everyone made it through unscathed, and on the ensuing restart Hartman pulled along side of Hilfiger and took the lead, powering off the high side of turn two. Hilfiger grabbed the top spot back for a brief moment, pulling a classic slide-job on Hartman as Williams watched from third. One more time, Hartman took his hotrod to the high side and took back the lead as Williams dove to the low side and challenged Hilfiger for second. As Hartman opened up a five car advantage, Hilfiger pushed high in turn four, which gave Williams the opening he needed to lock in to second. Hartman sailed on to the popular victory, with Williams settling for second. Hilfiger had his hands full, holding back Lawson for third. Keegan was able to get by LaRock to round out the top five.
The action was wild in the Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stocks as 36 of the full-fendered warriors signed in Saturday night. After four heats and two consolation events, the field was set and Woodhull invader Steve Deinhart motored his way to victory lane. Deinhart made a late race pass on Darl Ellis Jr. to claim the win as Ellis held tight for the runner-up spot. Rich Green had a strong run, besting his twin brother Butch for third. Butch put on what was probably the most impressive run of the night, coming all the way from the twenty-second starting spot to finish fourth. Woodhull racer Rod Mullen also had an outstanding drive, coming from 21st spot to grab the last spot in the top five.
Rich Powell made his annual appearance at the high banks of Woodhull with his Pinto-bodied machine and ran away with another win, besting 2008 track champion Ted Morseman Jr., who finished second. Woodhull veteran Ed Mills had a solid run, leading early and then falling back to claim third. Another local driver, Jason Ketrow, bested occasional high banks visitor Russ Wassner for fourth.
The LeBarron Brothers FWD division ran a feature-only format and outside pole-sitter Mark Guinup bolted to the early lead. Guinup held steady for most of the race, as Ron Hill and Jamie Freeman battled furiously behind him. Three laps from the end, Hill put together a strong run under Guinup down the front stretch, taking Freeman with him. Hill motored on for the win, with Freeman holding back Guinup for second. 2008 Rookie of the Year Matt Prescott put together a solid run for fourth, with last week's feature winner Randy Smith rounding out the top five.
WOODHULL RACEWAY QUICK RESULTS
09/27/08
S&W Awards and Photos Open Sportsman (28 cars)
Heats: Steve Hartman, Jr., Roger Williams, Don Lawson
25 lap feature: Steve Hartman, Jr., Roger Williams, Grant Hilfiger, Donnie Lawson, Larry Keegan, Jim LaRock, Mike Jackson, Ray Smith, Scott Brown, Joe Dgien, Don Lawson, Randy Browkow, Kenny Peoples Jr, Mike Nagel, Kreg Crooker, Tony Hooker, Brett Buono, John Venuto, Aaron Carl, Chuck Winslow, Nate DeLong, Ross Vleck, Bill Brewer, Chris Silvers DNS: Bill VanEtten
Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stocks (36 cars)
Heats: Rich Green, Brian Butler, Steve Deinhart, Rich Sharpsteen I
Consi: Rod Mullen, Butch Green
20 lap feature: Steve Deinhart, Darl Ellis, Jr., Rich Green, Butch Green, Rod Mullen, AJ Potrzebowski, Rich Talada, Terry Potrzebowski, Earl Zimmel, Brett Marlatt, Brian Butler, Cliff Moss, Todd Burgess, Joe Layfield, Dennis Harthaway, Zack Sutton, Gene Sharpsteen, Josh Nobriga, Russell Morseman III, Tim Dunham, Jim McAfee, Jason Benjamin, Rich Sharpsteen, Sr., Cory McConnell
Signs Plus Mini Stocks (17 cars)
Heats: Rich Sharpsteen III., Tracy Dunn
20 lap feature: Rich Powell, Ted Morseman, Ed Mills, Jason Ketrow, Russ Wassner, Tracy Dunn, Brett Crawford, CJ Winslow, Ron Daily, Shane Brown, Randy Bauman, Jason Warner, Brian Freese, John Hand, Andrew Wolfe, Brandon Morseman DNS: Rich Sharpsteen II
LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD Division (10 cars)
10 lap feature: Ron Hill, Jamie Freeman, Mark Guinup, Matt Prescott, Randy Smith, Lee Zook, Shane Smith, 63, Wilford Perry, James Howard
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