|
Woodhull, NY. The 358 Modified division took center stage on the evening that paid tribute to Woodhull Raceway founder, George Williams. 140 race machines piled into the Woodhull pits on a beautiful, sunny afternoon as representatives from the Elkland Moose were on hand to sponsor the evening's festivities.
Over the past few years, the prevailing question in the LJ Kennedy 358 Modified division has been, "Who can step up and beat the VanPelts?" One occasional visitor to the high banks seems to have the answer as Penn Can regular Dan Vauter made it two victories in two visits over the past two seasons in Saturday night's 35 lap feature event. Vauter took advantage of a good starting position to grab the early lead, quickly stretching it out to 5 car lengths. Woodhull legend Curt VanPelt swiftly maneuvered his way to the runner-up spot and began a 30-lap assault on Vauter's back bumper, hoping to find a crack in the newcomer's armor. Curt's brother Billy would enter the fray by mid-race, using the high side of the speedway to power his way to the front from his 17th starting position. As the track began to get slicker late in the race, the lead pack moved to the bottom of the racing surface in order to protect their track position. Curt VanPelt made a couple of attempts to muscle his way under Vauter, but each time Vauter was able to charge out of the corner and regain his lead. Billy VanPelt worked his way by brother Curt in the closing laps and made one last ditch effort to power around the outside of Vauter in turns 3 & 4 on the final circuit. However, VanPelt couldn't hold on to the cushion and drifted high off the top of the banking, handing Vauter the victory. Curt Van Pelt and Dylan Dewert were able to sneak by as Billy regained the handle on his machine to finish fourth. Steve Hartman Jr. put together a steady drive to round out the top five.
Every fan that bought a seat for the NAPA 360 Late Model A-Main didn't get to use it much, as the wedged warriors put on a thrilling show for the ages. Greg Galligan and Brian Knowles exchanged the lead back and forth early in the event, while Mike Wonderling Sr. quickly weaved his way through the crowd to join the hunt. Greg Young was also enjoying solid run, battling in the top five for most of the race. As Galligan bobbled off turn four in order to avoid a lap car, the field went four wide for the lead, with Knowles emerging through the dust and grabbing the top spot. His run at the front was short lived however, as Wonderling made a power move under Knowles to grab the top spot. One again, the man on the move was last week's runner-up, Wayne Robertson. While everyone was working down in the ditch, Robertson used the high side cushion to power his way into the top five, all the way from the 17th starting position. By the time Robertson got to Knowles, Wonderling had opened up a few cars distance and sailed on to victory lane. Robertson made a last chance drive on Knowles to clip him at the line for second, with Galligan holding tight for fourth. Young capped off his impressive drive with a fifth place finish.
Kenny Peoples Jr. sent notice that he is back in form in the S&W Awards Crate Sportsman division by bolting to the early lead. A couple of the class' young guns soon gave chase as Nate Delong and Casey Pavlick hooked up to drive into the top three. Peoples furiously tried to hold back the advances of Delong, but the youngster soon found daylight under the Peoples machine and squeezed his way into the lead. Peoples continued to give chase, all the while trying to hold off the charging Pavlick. Delong kept his machine glued to the low side of the speedway and motored on to pick up his first feature win of the season. Peoples logged in his best run of the year by taking home second place honors, with Pavlick racking up a season's best third place finish. Ray Smith put together yet another solid drive by crossing the stripe in forth, edging out Grant Hilfiger who rounded out the top five.
Russell Morseman III has had a super fast hotrod in the Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stocks, only to have played the bride's maid three times already this season. Morseman used a last lap pass of race leader Tony Foth to get that first victory under his belt and pad his point lead in the division. Foth led a bunch of laps, but the handle went away late in the race and forced him to settle for second. Brett Marlatt checked in solidly in third, with last week's winner Josh Nobriga recovering form an early race altercation to charge back to the fourth position. Jeff Smith wrapped up a strong run in fifth.
Ted Morseman Jr. continued his stranglehold on the Signs Plus Mini Stock division, racing form 18th starting position to pick up his fourth win in five tries this season. Morseman is on pace to shatter his record 10 feature wins that he set in 2008. Brian Grant Jr. continued to be strong, but just not quite strong enough, gathering up second place accolades. Veteran Ed Mills started outside front row and ran in the top five for the whole show, which earned him a fine third place showing. Jason Ketrow edged Rich Sharpsteen for fourth.
Ron Hill tallied up his third feature win in the LaBarron Bothers FWD division, powering his way past Jamie Freeman who hung tough for second. Tom McGlynn led a bunch of laps early, but slipped back to third at the checkers. Steve Gee crossed the stripe in fourth, followed by Mark Schenk.
Woodhull fires back up on Monday for a Memorial Day Special, as the Street stocks run a special 25 lap feature event with a lap sponsorship program put together by Street Stock competitor, Mike Warren. Gary's Motor Mart will be on hand to pass out the evening's hardware as the Woodhull faithful hit the high banks for the second time this weekend.
WOODHULL RACEWAY
QUICK RESULTS 5/23/09
Elkland Moose Family Center Night
George Williams Memorial Races
L.J. Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds (30 cars)
Heats: Frank Dunning, Dylan Dewert, Curt VanPelt
Consi: Tim Guild
35 lap feature: Danny Vauter, Curt VanPelt, Dylan Dewert, Billy VanPelt, Steve Hartman, Jr., Kevin Chilson, Joe Dgien, Ryan Gordner, Mike Bills, Brian Doolittle, Ray Dann, Lee Bills, Brooks Leach, Stacy Jackson, Kenny Peoples, Sr., Marc Benson, Ray Bliss, Ron White, Bryan Terwilliger, Dave Dubois, Frank Dunning, Mike McCollum, Roger Williams, Chris Clark, Tim Guild, Lucas Schroth
Napa 360 Late Models (22 cars)
Heats: Wally Wade, Jeremy Wonderling, Wayne Robertson
25 lap feature: Mike Wonderling, Sr., Wayne Robertson, Brian Knowles, Greg Galligan, Greg Young, John Waters, Steve Watson, Josh Smith, Mick Seeley, Jeredd Dennis, Glenn Whritenour, Jay McConnell, Mikey Wonderling, Bryce Davis, Jason Knowles, Jeremy Wonderling, Brian Conley, Brady Wonderling, Wally Wade DNS: Donnie Clemmons, Steve Hartman, Jr., Chad Dickerson
S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman (26 cars)
Heats: Frank Cline, Kenny Peoples Jr., Gary Lampman
20 lap feature: Nate DeLong, Kenny Peoples, Jr., Casey Pavlick, Ray Smith, Grant Hilfiger, Zack Sutton, Don Lawson, Kreg Crooker, Art Goodier, Aaron Carl, Charly ReSue, Ron Daily, Jr., Bill VanEtten, Bob Johnson, Chris Silvers, Gary Lampman, Donnie Lawson, Bill McKelvey, Larry Keegan, Cale Paul, Mike Buchanan, Bill Brewer, Scott Brown, Frank Kline, Tony Hooker, Greg Crooker
Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stocks (20 cars)
Heats: Josh Nobriga, Brett Marlatt
20 lap feature: Russell Morseman, Tony Foth, Brett Marlatt, Josh Nobriga, Jeff Smith, Kurt Stebbins, Mike Warren, Mike Kerr, Mark Guinup, Butch Dibble, Cliff Moss, Dan Gordon, Colton Herrington, Chuck Pruden, Brian Butler, Mike Williams, Jared Hill, Shane Smith, Kayne Stebbins DNS: Harry Vosburg
Signs Plus Mini Stocks (24 cars)
Heats: Lynn Burrell, Brandon Martin
25 lap feature: Teddy Morseman (4), Brian Grant, Ed Mills, Jason Ketrow, Rich Sharpsteen, Brandon Martin, Lynn Burrell, Ron Dailey, Jr., Chris Woodard, Aaron Bartas, Jeff Brown, Tracy Dunn, Brandon Morseman, Rick McDaniels, Jason Warner, Adam Austin, William Gardner, Travis Keim, Andrew Wolfe, John Hand Sr., Randy Bauman, Randy Dunn, 81 DNS: John Hand, Brian Freese
LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD (18 cars)
Heats: Tom McGlynn, Gary Baker
25 lap feature: Ron Hill (3), Jamie Freeman, Tom McGlynn, Steve Gee, Mark Schenck, Cody Baker, Randy Graham, Matt Prescott, Billie Joe Birdsell, Lynn Richmond, Shane Rogers, Brandon Martin, Allison Pierce, Mark Sullivan, Kurt Baker, James Howard, Colby Brewer, Adam Delgrosso, Joe Birdsell, Gary Baker
|
|
