Curt VanPelt Returns from Vacation to Win Jim Williams Memorial at Woodhull Raceway

Woodhull, NY.  After a four week hiatus from the high banks of Woodhull, veteran 358 Modified pilot Curt VanPelt returned to his winning ways by bagging his first victory of the 2009 season.  The Woodhull pits were jammed with 145 race machines as the track paid tribute to long time owner/promoter Jim Williams.  The fireworks lit up the sky and the racing action lit up the track on Instant Heat Wood Pellets and Spiegel Recycling Night.

            It took four qualifying heats and a consolation event to sort out the 33 cars that checked in for the LJ Kennedy 358 Modified division.  Dan Vauter and Dylan Dewert paced the field to the drop of starter Scott Colegrove's green flag.  The two battled side by side in the opening laps, with Dewert eventually getting a strong run off the top of turn two to snag the lead.  A few laps later, Dewert pushed too hard entering turn one and Vauter darted back under to retake the lead. Meanwhile, veteran wheelman Curt VanPelt had quickly maneuvered his way into the third position after starting seventh.  Steve Hartman Jr. and Ron White dueled wheel to wheel, trying to hold back the advances of Billy VanPelt.  The action continued to heat up with Vauter, Dewert and VanPelt going three wide down the backstretch going for the lead.  This time Vauter would push high, handing the lead back to Dewert and allowing VanPelt to move up to second.  Vauter's push left him in third and working to fend off a charging Billy VanPelt with Harman Jr. continuing to ride in fifth.   Unfortunately for Billy, his run would end there as he soon retired pit side with overheating woes.  Dewert showed some power as he opened up a five car length lead over VanPelt, who was still wrangling with Vauter for the runner-up spot.  As the leaders began to enter heavy lap traffic, VanPelt was able to pull back up on Dewert.  Just as the two started to battle side by side once again, Dewert made a hard left turn into the infield with a broken front suspension.  Dewert's misfortune left VanPelt to inherit the lead, with Vauter and Hartman still hot on his tail.  A few late race cautions kept the leaders bunched up and out of lap traffic.  Vauter continued to test the high side, trying to slingshot around VanPelt, but VanPelt's line was near perfect and carried him to his first win of the season.  Vauter's efforts landed him the runner-up position, with Hartman Jr. hanging on to third.  A late race charge by Frank Dunning netted him fourth place honors, with Ron White crossing the stripe in fifth.

            Wayne Robertson took advantage of a pole position draw to dart out to an early lead in the NAPA 360 Late Model feature event.  Outside pole sitter Jason Knowles slid into the second spot as Mike Wonderling Sr. worked his way around the high side of Steve Hartman Jr. for third.  By lap four, Robertson had opened up a seven car length advantage, but the action behind him was still hot and heavy as Jeremy Wonderling joined the mix.  Robertson's lead had stretched to 12 car lengths when he began to encounter lap traffic.  However, the man on the move was Bruce Miller, who had powered his way into the top five and was challenging both Wonderlings in a three wide battle for third.  As Robertson continued to slice through traffic, Miller worked his way under Knowles and into the second position.  Miller then got the break that he needed, as caution flew on the speedway and placed him squarely on Robertson's back bumper.  However, on the restart Miller drove too hard into the first turn and pushed wide, falling all the way back to fourth.  Never the less, Miller was relentless and began to once again work his way back to the second position and set up another run at Robertson.  Another yellow put Miller tight to Robertson's deck lid on a single file restart and this time Miller didn't squander the opportunity as he muscled under Robertson and set sail for his first win of the 2009 season.  Robertson, who appeared to have the field covered in the early going, would have to settle for second.  Jeremy Wonderling bested Mike Wonderling Sr. for third, with Knowles hanging tough to claim fifth.

            After a few early race caution flags, Mike Buchanan found himself with the early lead in the S&W Awards Crate Sportsman division's main event.  Rookie sensation Zack Sutton wasted no time getting from his 6^th place starting position to Buchanan's rear spoiler.  Bob Johnson and Larry Keegan battled hot and heavy for the third spot as the two leaders began to pull away from the pack.  Sutton soon wheeled his machine to the high side and motored around Buchanan for the lead, a lead that he would not relinquish.  It was Sutton's third feature victory of the season, and put the youngster back on top in the chase for the Crate Sportsman championship.  Keegan made a late race pass of Buchanan to ride home in second, with Buchanan locking down third.  Donnie Lawson made another impressive drive from the rear of the pack to finish fourth, with Johnson capping off a solid run in fifth.

            Corey McConnell picked up his first-ever feature win at the Woodhull Raceway in the Morgan's Auto Repair Street Stock division.  McConnell and Redline Raceway regular Ajay Potrzebowski battled nearly the entire race, with Potrzebowski taking runner-up honors.  Mike Williams put on a good show, charging from 14^th starting position to finish third.  Kurt Stebbins and Jared Hill rounded out the top five.

            Veteran Eddie Mills made it back-to-back victories, chalking up the win in the Signs Plus Mini Stocks division.  Brett Crawford continued to flex his muscle, rebounding from last week's last lap disappointment to take second place.  William Gardner, who had been plagued with mechanical woes early in the season, put on an impressive drive to cross the line in third.  Rich Sharpsteen chalked up another solid showing by placing fourth, with Ron Dailey Jr. taking fifth.

            Next week all six divisions return for Spaulding Foundation night, presented by Moe's Karting World.  

WOODHULL RACEWAY    QUICK RESULTS        6/27/09

Jim Williams Memorial Trophy Races

Instant Heat Wood Pellets and Spiegel Recycling Night

Napa 360 Late Models   (25 cars)

Heats:  Jeremy Wonderling, Glenn Whritenour, Mike Wonderling, Sr.

Consi: Jay McConnell

25 lap feature:  Bruce Miller, Wayne Robertson, Jeremy Wonderling, Mike Wonderling, Sr., Jason Knowles, Greg Galligan, Brian Knowles, John Waters, Bryce Davis, Glenn Whritenour, Steve Watson, Fred Amann, Brian Conley, Mick Seeley, Jaye McConnell, Tim Schram, Wally Wade, Josh Smith, Mickey Wonderling, Jeredd Dennis, Steve Hartman, Jr, Dave Lantz, Cecil LaBarron, Greg Young, DNS: Nate Daggett

L.J. Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds  (33 cars)

Heats: Chris Clark, Frank Dunning, Mike Jackson, Billy VanPelt

B Main:  Brent Boyer, Bill Brewer

25 lap feature:  Curt VanPelt, Danny Vauter, Steve Hartman, Jr., Frank Dunning, Ron White, Joe Dgien, Kenny Peoples, Sr., Mike Jackson, Brooks Leach, Kevin Chilson, Dave Dubois, Ray Dann, Dale Welty, Ray Bliss, Bobby Davis, Mike Bills, Lucas Schroth, Brian Doolittle, Lee Bills, Brent Boyer, Dylan Dewert, Chris Clark, Billy VanPelt DNQ: Tim Guild, Roger Williams, Travis Schultz, Marc Benson, Bob Silvernail, Tony Harris, Mark Richmond, Erik Williams, Ryan Gordner

S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman   (29 cars)

Heats: Ken Peoples, Jr., Art Goodier, Aaron Carl

20 lap feature:  Zack Sutton (3), Larry Keegan, Mike Buchanan, Donnie Lawson, Bob Johnson, Scott Brown, Don Lawson, Ray Smith, Bill Brewer, Kenny Peoples, Jr., Chris Silvers, Nate DeLong, Doug Kline, Cale Paul, Art Goodier, Ron Dailey, Jr., Aaron Carl, Greg Crooker, Nick Galayda, Tony Hooker, Kreg Crooker, Bill VanEtten, Casey Pavlick, Gary Lampman  DNQ: Ray Smith, Frank Kline, Brandon Butler, AJ Costly, Charley ReSue

Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks   (24 cars)

Heats:  Danny Gordon, Mike Williams, Cliff Moss

20 lap feature:  Corey McConnell, AJ Potrezbowski, Mike Williams, Kurt Stebbins, Jared Hill, Dan Gordon, Chuck Pruden, Cliff Moss, Russell Morseman, Greg Moslet, Steve Moshier, Josh Nobriga, Colton Herrington, Butch Dibble, Kane Stebbins, Shane Smith, Dean Stebbins, Mike Warren, Harry Vosburg, Brett Marlatt, Doug Colton, Tony Foth, Brian Butler, Jeff Smith, Daniel Gibon, Mike Kerr

Signs Plus Mini Stocks   (26 cars)

Heats: Brett Crawford, Ron Dailey, Jr., Ted Morseman

25 lap feature:  Ed Mills (2), Brett Crawford, William Gardner, Rich Sharpsteen, Ron Dailey, Jr., Brandon Morseman, Brian Grant, Tracy Dunn, Jason Warner, Lynn Burrell, Chad Ayers, Aaron Bartas, Joe Povoski, Billy Groover, Rick McDaniels, Bryan Wilson, Ted Morseman, Robert Symonds, Randy Dunn, Jeff Brown, Chris Woodard, Tom Kleintop, John Hand, Sr., John Hand  DNF: Jason Ketrow, Mike Navone, Randy Bauman