Billy VanPelt Back in Victory Lane at Woodhull

Wonderling, Hilfiger, Morseman, Mills and Baker also get Checkers

 

Woodhull, NY.  Moe's Karting World, Woodhull Raceway's little sister track, ushered in the month of July with 136 race cars checking in at the pit gate.  The weather was picture perfect and the action was hot and heavy as all six regular divisions battled it out for Independence Day victories.

            The LJ Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds have been enjoying healthy car counts in the 2009 season, and Saturday night was no exception as it took three heat races and a consolation race to sort out the 24 car feature event.  Ray Bliss, known around the high banks as "Zeke the Streak", took off early and looked to have the machine to beat.  At one point, Bliss enjoyed a ten car length lead as he began to approach lap traffic.  Never one to give up, high banks veteran Billy VanPelt kept Zeke's #27z in sight and just as the leaders began to navigate the sea of lap cars, Bliss' machine ground to a screeching halt, a victim of a mechanical failure.  That was all the opportunity VanPelt needed to sail off to his third win of the season and pad his point lead.  Woodhull visitor Scott Ferrier gave chase late in the race, but couldn't quite get the run on VanPelt that he needed to make a run to victory.  Ferrier logged in an impressive second, however, with Brooks Leach putting together a career run to bring home third place honors.  Bobby Davis, in only his second week back in action after a layoff of over a year, wheeled his Ford powered machine across the stripe for fourth, with Frank Dunning logging in a solid fifth place finish.

            The S&W Awards Crate Sportsman division also needed three heats and a consi to set the 24 car starting grid for their main event.  Grant Hilfiger, who is no stranger to Woodhull's victory lane, played it close to the vest, keeping himself close to front and then made a late race pass to snag the lead and chalk up his first win of the 2009 season on the high banks.  A scary mid-race crash in the middle of the front stretch wiped out front runners Donnie Lawson and Scott Brown and set the stage for Hilfiger's methodical drive to the front.  Nate Delong paced the field mid-race, only to have to settle for runner up honors at the drop of the checkers.  Ray Smith stayed steady as ever, checking in at third with Alan Crooker wheeling son Kreg's #86 to a fine fourth place finish.  Zack Sutton played it cool, navigating his way from his 18th starting position to claim fifth.

            The NAPA 360 Late Model main was a wild affair, as the 21 car field battled fiercely for first place accolades.  Once again, Bruce Miller had a lightning fast ride, charging all the way to the lead from his 18th place starting position.  Miller grabbed the point by mid-race and looked to be on his way to his second consecutive win, until his #80 machine broke and relegated him pit side.  This handed the lead to Mike Wonderling Sr., who carried his stroke of good luck to his second feature win of the season.  Defending track champion Glenn Whritenour have chase, but fell a few yards short and took home second place, solidifying his point lead.  Mikey Wonderling battled for the lead early, dropped back and then made a late race charge to rally for third, with Brian Knowles picking his way through the melee to finish fourth.  Wayne Robertson did a great job biding his time and weaving his way from his 17th starting spot to grab fifth.

            It seemed to be a night of leaders finding bad luck, as Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stock competitor Jared Hill looked to be running away with their 20 lap feature, opening up almost a half-track lead until his right front suspension broke and sidelined him for the evening.  In stepped point leader Russell Morseman III to take the lead and cruise to his third feature win in '09.  Brett Marlatt gave chase, but could do no better than second, with Jeff Smith close behind in third.  Multi-feature winner Josh Nobriga crossed the line in fourth, with veteran Cliff Moss rounding out the tip five.

            Veteran Sign Plus Mini Stock pilot Ed Mills in on a roll, as he tallied up his third win in a row after starting in the 18th position.  Mills had to hold off the charge of Ted Morseman Jr. late in the race, but Morseman would come up a few car lengths short of victory.  Jeff Brown led a bunch of laps and held on for a stout third place finish, with Chris Woodard following in fourth.  Rich Sharpsteen packed away another top five run, riding home in fifth.

            Gary Baker continued the "B" Boys' dominance of the LaBarron Brothers FWD division, picking up his fourth feature win of the year.  Jamie Freeman gave chase is his Subaru, having it completely up on two wheels at one point, only to settle for second.  Tom McGlynn continued his consistency with a nice third place showing.  Fellow "B" Boys Mark Schenk and Ron Hill finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

            Next week the Crate Sportsman division will sit on the sidelines as the Empire Super Sprints visit the high banks on Bully Hill Vineyards night.

WOODHULL RACEWAY    QUICK RESULTS        07/04/09

Moe’s Karting World

 

 

 

Napa 360 Late Models   (21 cars)

 

Heats:  Mike Wonderling, Sr., Wayne Robertson, Bruce Miller

 

25 lap feature:  Mike Wonderling, Sr.(2), Glenn Whritenour, Mikey Wonderling, Brian Knowles, Wayne Robertson, Jeredd Dennis, Greg Young, Jason Knowles, Cecil LaBarron, Jaye McConnell, Mick Seeley, Brian Conley, Bruce Miller, Greg Galligan, Bryce Davis, Fred Amann, Josh Smith, Jeremy Wonderling, Steve Hartman, Jr., Dave Lantz, Sparky Hills

 

L.J. Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds  (29 cars)

 

Heats: Frank Dunning, Joe Dgien, Lucas Schroth

 

Consi:  Steve Hartman, Jr.

 

25 lap feature: Billy VanPelt (3), Scott Ferrier, Brooks Leach, Bobby Davis, Frank Dunning, Lucas Schroth, Dale Welty, Steve Hartman, Jr., Kevin Chilson, Brian Doolittle, Tim Guild, Dan Vauter, Ray Dann, Dave Dubois, Mike Bills, Joe Dgien, Ryan Gordnor, Ken Peoples, Sr., Lee Bills, Stacy Jackson, Chris Clark, Ray Bliss Jr., Ron White, Mike Jackson, Marc Benson  DNQ: Don Slover, Eric Williams, Roger Williams, Marc Richmond

 

 

S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman   (26 cars)

 

Heats: Zack Sutton, Kenny Peoples, Jr., Donnie Lawson

 

Consi:  Mike Buchanan

 

 

25 lap feature:  Grant Hilfiger, Nate DeLong, Ray Smith, Alan Crooker, Zack Sutton, Bob Johnson, Art Goodier, Casey Pavlick, Cale Paul, Doug Kline, Gary Lampman, Larry Keegan, Tony Hooker, Don Lawson, Ryan Tracy, Donny Knowles, Kenny Peoples Jr. , Eric DeLong, Bill VanEtten, Aaron Carl, Scott Brown, Frank Kline, Donnie Lawson, Mike Buchanan.  DNQ Rod Mullen, Ron Dailey Jr.

 

 

Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks   (21 cars)

 

Heats:  Jared Hill, Josh Nobriga, Brett Marlatt

 

20 lap feature:  Russell Morseman III (3) Brett Marlatt, Jeff Smith, Josh Nobriga, Cliff Moss, Chuck Pruden, Cory McConnell, Kurt Stebbins, Butch Dibble, Mike Warren, Kane Stebbins, Shane Smith, Dean Stebbins, Dan Gordon, Jared Hill, Colton Herrington, Glenn Helfrich, Mike Kerr, Daryl Miles, Mike Williams DNS: Mark Guinup

 

 

Signs Plus Mini Stocks   (22 cars)

 

Heats: Brian Grant, Sr., Ed Mills, Rich Sharpsteen

 

25 lap feature:  Ed Mills (3), Ted Morseman, Jr., Jeff Brown, Chris Woodard, Rich Sharpsteen, Jacob Clarke, Jason Ketrow, Aaron Bartas, Brian Grant, Jason Warner, Tracy Dunn, Rick McDaniels, Randy Dunn, Brandon Martin, Brett Crawford, Robert Symonds, Jake Evenham, Lynn Burrell, Jake Mayorga, Williams Gardner, Buddy Morseman  DNS: Bryan Wilson

 

 

LaBarron Brothers Repair & Parts FWD (19 cars)

 

Heats:  Shane Rogers, Tom McGlynn

 

25 lap feature:  Gary Baker (4), Jamie Freeman, Tom McGlynn, Mark Schenck, Ron Hill, Shane Rogers, Billy Joe Birdsell, James Howard, Lynn Richmond, Allison Pierce, Tim Steffey, Randy Graham, Joe Birdsell, Matt Prescott, Wesley Houghtailing, Jacob Clarke, Steve Gee, Colby Brewer, Cody Baker