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Chuck Hebing, Billy VanPelt, Donnie Knowles and Bruce Miller Headline the List of Winners at Woodhull Raceway
Woodhull, NY… The ASCS Patriot sprint cars complemented a full card of Woodhull’s six regular divisions on George Williams Memorial night, sponsored by Addison Farm Supply. A staggering 183 cars jammed the Woodhull pits for a full night of wheel to wheel action. Chuck Hebing continued his dominance at Woodhull by picking up the win in the dash as well as the 25 lap feature. Bryan Howland collected one of the three qualifying heat wins, but could do no better than 2nd as Hebing had the field covered for the entire distance. Jeff VanDusen bested Bob Crawford for third as Justin Barger rounded out the top five. The luck of the draw put perennial powerhouse Billy VanPelt on the outside of the front row for the start of the LJ Kennedy 358 Modified feature. VanPelt bolted on pole-sitter Stacy Jackson at the drop of initial green flag. An early caution in turns three and four sent Billy’s brother and teammate Curt VanPelt to the rear of the field and set up what would become an impressive drive through the pack for the elder VanPelt. On the ensuing restart Billy stretched out a commanding lead as Ray Bliss and Stacy Jackson dueled hard for the runner up position. While Billy continued to stretch his lead in the middle laps of the race, Curt was making his charge through the pack. With just a few laps remaining, Curt moved past Jackson for third position, and had Ray Bliss in his sights. A caution with one lap to go put Billy in sight of Bliss and Curt, but a lap car separated the leader from his pursuers. At the final green, Curt VanPelt pulled off one last impressive move, as he drove under both Bliss and the lap car, but could not get by brother Billy. The two VanPelts made it yet another sweep for Ted White Racing, with Bliss holding on for third. Jackson held on for fourth over Frank Dunning, who filled the top five. Twenty-nine cars checked in for the S&W Crate Sportsman division. Rookie Scott Brown took the early lead as Ray Smith stayed locked on Brown’s back bumper. Defending co-champion Kenny Peoples Jr. quickly joined the hunt and challenged Smith for second as Brown opened up a five car length lead. Meanwhile, Donnie Knowles was methodically working his way from his 11th starting position to join the top group. Knowles made quick work of Peoples and Smith and set his sights on Brown. A hard dive under Brown in turn one gave Knowles the lead and carried him to his first feature win in the division. Brown stayed solid for second over a charging AJ Costly who powered his way home for third. Peoples brought home his best run of the season for fourth, with veteran Larry Keegan picking up fifth. Defending champion Wayne Robertson jumped from his 2nd starting spot in to the early lead of the NAPA 360 Late Model feature. Try as he may, Robertson could not hold off the charge of BRP Can-Am regular Bruce Miller, as Miller muscled his way to the lead by the mid point of the race. Robertson gave a spirited chase, but Miller was too strong and took home the checkers. Woodhull veterans Larry Knowles and Glenn Whritenour followed Robertson across the line for third and fourth, with Dave Miller making it a good night for the Miller family by claiming fifth. Butch Dibble and Todd Burgess paced 22 Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks to the green, but it was Cliff Moss who darted to the early lead as Dibble looped it in turn two on the opening lap. Moss held the top spot until he spun in turn two and ended his night by exiting on the hook. Brian Knowles, who started 12th, found grip on the high line and motored around Danny Gordon for the lead late in the race. Knowles picked up his second victory of the season with Gordon holding off a charging Rod Mullen for second. Burgess held close for fourth and Dibble put on an impressive march, rallying all the way from the rear to drive himself back into the top five at the drop of the checkers. Rich Sharpsteen III brought home the George Williams trophy by grabbing his first feature win of the ’08 season. Chris Woodard had a career run for second, followed by Chris McCann in third. William Gardner also brought home his best-ever finish at the high banks by nailing down fourth, with Marty Vanderhough rounding the top five. The LaBarron Brothers FWD class saw 30 cars hit the clay for their feature event. Defending track champion Ron Daily Jr. took advantage of a night-ending engine problem for race leader Steve Gee to bring home his first win of the season. Opening night feature winner John Heidrick was second, followed by Carl LeBarron in third.
Woodhull Raceway Quick Results
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