Kenny Shupp's 6/28 Race Report

Bruce Miller Cruises to Victory in the Scott Dennison Memorial for 360 Late Models at Woodhull Raceway

Woodhull, NY…  The threat of thunderstorms couldn’t keep 120 race teams and a multitude of fans from paying tribute to former 360 Late Model driver Scott Dennison on RLB Trucking night.  Dennison lived his life fast and furious and twenty-five of the best 360 Late Model drivers in the area waged battle for the prestigious trophy that bears his name. 

            Fans rose to their feet as the 24 car field of NAPA 360 Late Models performed their parade lap in four-wide fashion with the pole position left empty in honor of their fallen competitor, Scott Dennison.  When the field returned to two-wide formation, Tony Harris and Buck Payne led the pack to the drop of starter Scott Colegrove’s green flag.  Bruce Miller wasted no time hustling from his 4th starting position to the lead on lap two, powering by Mikey Wonderling to gain the top spot.  Jeremy Wonderling quickly moved by Mikey as well and set sail for Miller’s back bumper.  Early caution flags slowed the pace, including a tangle between Mikey Wonderling and Wayne Robertson which sent Wonderling to the pits on the hook and relegated Robertson to the rear of the field after changing a flat right rear.  This put defending track champ Glenn Whritenour in the thick of things, running a close third to Miller and Jeremy Wonderling.    By lap twelve, Miller had opened up a sizeable lead over Wonderling and Whritenour, with Adam Ashcroft riding fourth.  Greg Galligan made some smooth moves and climbed into the top five after starting in the rear of the field.  A few more yellows kept the leaders bunched together and allowed Robertson to slice his way through the field and back into the top five on lap twenty-one.  Meanwhile Miller remained in command, holding off charges from Wonderling on each restart.  As Miller stretched his lead, Robertson took advantage of a Galligan miscue in turn four to grab fourth, with Wonderling and Whritenour just ahead.  Caution flew once again with three laps remaining, and Miller’s machine seemed to be picking up a push in the middle of the turns after the ensuing restart.  Try as he may, Wonderling was not able to match the straight stretch speed of Miller and couldn’t quite take advantage of Miller’s handling issues as Miller powered his way to his first win at the high banks of Woodhull this season.  Wonderling capped of a strong run with hi s second place finish with Whritenour crossing the stripe in third.  Robertson’s charge would end in a fourth place showing, with Galligan taking home a solid fifth.

            Kenny Peoples Jr. used his pole position start to snag the early lead in the Insinger Performance 358 Modified division with Ray Bliss Jr. right on his heels.  Bliss was able to muscle the lead away from Peoples on lap six, but the man on the move was defending track champion Billy VanPelt who was already riding fourth.  By lap eight, VanPelt used the high groove to motor by Dale Welty and was able to dispose of Peoples just two laps later.  Bliss made a slight bobble in turn four on lap 14, which allowed VanPelt to get along side and battle for real estate.  After four thrilling laps of side-by-side action, VanPelt was able to pull the slide job on Bliss and set sail for his seventh feature win of the 2010 season.  Bliss was able to hang tight for second, as Peoples did for third.  Dale Welty checked in another solid run in fourth, with 2009 Rookie of the Year Joe Dgien crossing the stripe in fifth.

            Another full field of the S&W Awards Crate Sportsman cars were led early on by Bob Johnson with 14 year old rookie Connor Brown riding in second.  By lap three, Eric Delong had worked by Brown and made his move entering turn three to take the lead away from Johnson.  Johnson battled back, as Brown and Nate Delong watched from behind.  On lap fourteen, Eric Delong’s bid for his first feature win came to an abrupt end as he lost the handle exiting turn four, spinning himself around and taking Brown with him.  On the ensuing restart, Nate Delong muscled his way under Johnson to wrangle the lead away as defending track champ Donnie Lawson now rode third. Lawson soon worked his was by Johnson and set up a thrilling battle in the final laps with Delong.  The two former feature winners worked each other over, trading lanes and paint numerous times in the closing circuits.  As the white flag fell, Lawson made on last dive under Delong entering turn one, pulling along side the leader as the drag raced down the back stretch.  Lawson held the preferred line as they entered turn three and was able to claim his first feature win at the high backs this season.  Delong finished disappointed in second, with Johnson hanging on for third.  AJ Costley put together his best run of the season by finishing fourth, with Roger Williams rounding out the top five.

            Mike Williams led the better portion of the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stock division, only to dart to the pits with mechanical issues just as Russell Morseman III pulled along side.  With the lead firmly in hand, Morseman fended off numerous charges from Brett Marlatt to pick up his 4th win of the year.  Marlatt stayed close for second, with Ted Morseman, Kane Stebbins and Joe Layfield filling in the top five.

            Rich Sharpsteen took full advantage of his front row starting position in the Signs Plus Mini Stocks, leading the feature from flag to flag to chalk up his third win of the season. Current high point man Ron Dailey Jr. managed to weave his way through the field from 19th to claim second.  Jason Warner and Brian Grant Jr. both tallied up their best runs of the season, finishing third and fourth respectively.  Tracy Dunn ran up front the entire race and crossed the stripe in fifth.

            Jamie Freeman solidified his point lead in the LaBarron brothers FWD division by piling on win number four of the season.  Steve Gee continues to look strong, bringing home second.  Ron Hill was next across the line in third, with Wesley Houghtaling and Brandon Brewer having their best runs of the season in fourth and fifth.

            Nest week the sky lights up with the most spectacular fireworks display in the area as Instant Heat Wood Pellets and Spiegel Recycling present the Jim Williams Memorial trophy races for all six divisions.

Bob Davis wins first Small Block Modified feature in last five seasons at the Woodhull Raceway as his nephew Bryce Davis wins 360 LM thriller.

VanPelt, Dunning, Marlatt and Daily also find victory lane.

(Woodhull, NY)  With numerous rain storms dotting the upstate New York region all day long, Wednesday, June 16 found a rare mid-week event at the Woodhull Raceway with the Davis family standing in victory lane on two separate occasions.  For Bob Davis it was a highly popular victory as the Jasper, NY speedster won the second leg of the Triple 15 lap feature format for the Open Small Block Modifieds. Davis had called it quits a few seasons ago and sold all of his equipment, however after coaxing from his numerous family members and close friends he returned to action mid-way thru the 2009 season. For the former Woodhull Raceway IMCA Modified Track Champion it turned out to be a smart move as he won easily over several of the tracks heavy weights including second place runner, Ray Bliss Jr., Frank Dunning, Mike Bills, Billy VanPelt and Crate Sportsman standout competitor, Donnie Lawson.  In the other two 15 lap feature events it was Billy VanPelt picking up his sixth feature of 2010 in the opening 15 lap affair followed by Dunning, Steve Hartman Jr., Bliss and Dale Welty.  In the third and final feature go it was Stunning Frank Dunning capping off a brilliant night as he held off a late race rally by invader, Jim Mahaney, Bliss, Crate Sportsman driver, Ray Smith and Welty. 

Early evening qualifying heat races were won by Dave Dubois, Ron White and Dale Welty.

The Davis family was not thru yet as Bryce Davis of Canisteo was victorious in the NAPA 360 LM feature event and for the second generation pilot and nephew of Bob Davis it was a very hard fought win as he started last in the 25 lap feature event.  For the former Woodhull Raceway Warrior Division Track Champion it had been a very long dry spell as he and the team had struggled with chassis set-up issues since his Rookie of the Year season some four years ago.  However, Bryce Davis was not to be denied on this night as he quickly moved to the front of the pack and never looked back.  He was followed across the line by veteran competitor, Cecil LaBarron, Glen Whritenour, Randy Hall and Jeremy Wonderling.

Qualifying heat wins went to Jeremy Wonderling and Greg Galligan.

Brett Marlatt and Bryce Davis are close friends.  They grew up together, played high school sports together and graduated from Canisteo High School together. Both young men are class acts and come from good families so it should have come as no surprise that Brett Marlatt would want to visit the same victory lane that his friend Bryce Davis had done some thirty minutes earlier. That turned out to be the case as Marlatt picked-up his fourth win of 2010 in the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stock Class.  For Marlatt it was a struggle to pass and then hold off a determined rookie in Teddy Morseman with Joe Layfield, Jeredd Dennis and Russ Morseman III rounding the top five. 

Heat wins went to Marlatt and Morseman III.

Ron Daily Jr. for the seventh time in 2K10 showed his mastery of the Woodhull Raceway  high banked one third of a mile as he started near the tail of the twenty-one car feature and with the help of no yellow flags made a last lap pass of then race leader, Rich Sharpsteen II.  Brandon Morseman, Bubba VanCise and Brett Crawford trailed Daily across the line.

Earlier evening heat wins were claimed by Ron Daily Jr., Brandon Morseman and Chris Woodard.

WOODHULL RACEWAY FINDS MULTIPLE FEATURE WINNERS GRACE VICTORY LANE.

(Woodhull, NY)  With another full night of racing on the card, several repeat winners found victory lane at the Woodhull Raceway last Saturday night.  In the made-up 25 lap 358 Modified feature held over from May 22, sponsored by Kibbe Concrete and Bully Hill Vineyards Forest City, Pa. speedster, Dan Vauter was able to shake the demons that have plagued him all season long to win his first feature of the season.  With only two yellow flags to slow the pace, Vauter was not to be denied as he held off a late race rally by Joe Dgien to pick up the victory.  Stacy Jackson finished third followed by Lee Bills and Ron White.  Dave Dubois led the charge of the second group of five across the line chased there by Frank Dunning, Ray Dann, Kevin Chilson and Brian Doolittle.

Then it was into the Regular Big 6 Show presented by Mt. Dew where Billy VanPelt was able to secure his fifth trip to victory lane in 2K10 in the insinger Performance 358 Modified Division as he quickly worked his way to the front and once there clearly dominated the 25 car, 25 lap affair.  Steve Hartman Jr. had to settle for the brides maid position followed by Joe Dgien, Dale Welty and Bob Davis.  Ron White was sixth followed by early race leader, Tim Guild, Dave Dubois, Brent Boyer and Lucas Schroth.

Qualifying heat events went to Dubois, Guild and Ray Bliss Jr.

In the NAPA 360 LM Class, Greg Galligan and Glenn Whritenour were the class of the field as the two veterans put on a driving clinic as the pair distanced themselves from the remainder of the field.  A rare mid race miscue by then race leader Whritenour allowed Galligan to get by and he led the remainder of the event for his second consecutive visit to victory lane.  Whritenour steeled for the runner-up spot followed by a steadily improving Cecil LaBarron, Brian Knowles with Josh Smith coming home for fifth.  Wally Wade, Shane Smith, Dan Gardner, Sparky Hills and Fred Amann rounded the top ten.

Heat wins went to Jeremy Wonderling and Galligan.

Zach Sutton used the top of the banking to his advantage as he claimed his second victory of the year in the S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman Division.  Early race leader, Ryan Tracy looked poised to win his first ever feature event at the age of fourteen, but could not hold off the high flying Sutton.  Two time and defending champion, Donnie Lawson was able to squeak by Tracy in the closing laps to finish second with Tracy third.  Bob Johnson ran with the lead group all race long to nail down the fourth spot followed by a Nate Delong.  A.J. Costley came home sixth chased there by Ajay Potrzebowski, Don Lawson, Chris Silvers and Ray Smith.

Heat wins went to Sutton, Potrzebowski and Roger Williams.

With rain threatening the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks took to the high banks of the Woodhull Raceway and it turned out to be an all Moresman affair.  Teddy Morseman Jr. in just his rookie season looked poised to win his second feature of the year, however cousin Russ Morseman III had other ideas and after a spirited battle for several laps, Russ was able to take over the top spot and win by a convincing margin.  Teddy did settle for second place followed by Mr. Consistency Jeff Smith, Jaredd Dennis and Brett Marlatt.  Joe Layfield led the second group of five across the line followed by Mike Williams, Harry Vosburg, Brian Butler and Cliff Moss.  In victory lane a very emotional Russ Morseman dedicated the win to his close friend, Lance Corporal Michael Plank who recently lost his life while defending our country in Afghanistan. 

Earlier evening qualifying heat events were claimed by Marlatt and Russ Morseman III.

Ron Daily Jr. continued his complete dominance of the Signs Plus Mini Stock Division by picking up win number six on the 2010 campaign.  Daily quickly moved thru the field and once at the point checked out on the rest of the field including second place finisher, Ed Mills Jr.  Brandon Morseman was third followed by Chris Woodard, Jason Warner, Jason Ketrow, Tracy Dunn, JR. Hoppe, Aaron Bartas with Brian Grant Jr. rounding out the top ten.

Heat wins were claimed by Morseman, Woodard and Daily.

The LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts Front Wheel Drive Division’s car count continue to rise, however it was main stays Ronnie Hill and Steve Gee once again dominating the 25 lap event.  Gee was poised to make yet another trip to victory lane, however Hill was not to be denied as he rallied late with only a couple of laps remaining to pass Gee and pick up his third win of 2K10.

Tim Steffey had a good run to finish third, Cody Baker was fourth and Wesley Houghtaling had the best run of his career finishing fifth.  Matt Prescott was next chased there by Brandon Brewer, Jeremy Seeley, Trevor Tompkins and Carl LaBarron.

Last but certainly not least the Mid-State Vintage Cars made their first of two appearances on the high banks of the Woodhull Raceway in the 2010 season.  The lone qualifying heat event was won by Ron Casti and in their fifteen lap feature Jim Hilimire completely dominated the event to claim the win in his division.  Other class winners included Al Byerly and Gordie “The Dude” Wood.

This coming Saturday, June 19 it is the Annual Scott Dennison Memorial for the NAPA 360 LM Division with $1,000 to win, $600 in posted contingencies and some $3,000 in lap money.  Also on the card it will be a regular show of the 358 Modifieds, Crate Sportsman, Street, Mini and Front Wheel Drive Classes.  Gates at 4:30 and racing at 6:30.  For more information go to www.woodhullracewaycom.

INSTANT HEAT WOOD PELLETS AND SPIEGEL RECYCLING TO PRESENT THE ANNUAL JIM WILLIAMS MEMORIAL TROPHY RACES AND FIRE WORKS EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE WOODHULL RACEWAY.

June 26 event gets underway with Woodhull Volunteer Fire Department Chicken B-B-Q.

(Woodhull, NY)     Instant Heat Wood Pellets General Manager, Scott Drake along with his wife, Amy have used the Woodhull Raceway extensively the past three years to promote the upstart company which is located on Rt. 417 west of Addison, NY.  Instant Heat Wood Pellets is a cost efficient alternative form of heat that is basically “catching on fire” around the world and the Addison based company is on the leading edge of technology.  Instant Heat along with Spiegel Recycling of Elmira will co-sponsor the Annual Jim Williams Memorial Trophy Races and Fireworks Extravaganza at the Woodhull Raceway on Saturday, June 26, 2010.  For Gary Dunning and his staff of Spiegel Recycling it will be the second consecutive year they have partnered with Instant Heat to present the event and historically the Jim Williams Memorial is the biggest night of the year.  Spiegel Recycling is one of the regions largest metal recycling companies and is stratigically located within the city of Elmira.  Spiegel Recycling also offers roll off service with canisters coming in various sizes.

“We are thrilled to have Spiegel Recycling and Instant Heat Wood Pellets with us to present the Annual Jim Williams Memorial and Fireworks Show, stated current Woodhull Raceway owner, Ted White.  It is because of Scott and Amy Drake that this event is so huge in the first place.  When they owned Woodhull from 1998 to 2005 they made the fireworks program a must see for everyone in the region.  It is rewarding to have them still involved with us here at the track as managers of Instant Heat Wood Pellets.  Equally so, Gary Dunning is also heavily involved at the track with his brother Frank Dunning who is one of the top guns in the 358 Modified Division. Frank along with Kevin Chilson and Billy VanPelt now run a three car operation and Spiegel Recycling is involved with all three teams.”

Representatives of both companies along with many of their employees and collogues will enjoy the night of action from the sponsor VIP lounge area high atop the Woodhull Raceway’s mammoth grandstand seating area.

Gates for the June 26 event open at 4:30 with racing at 6:30 pm.  A mouth watering chicken bar-b-q provided by the Woodhull Volunteer Fire Department will start when the gates open at 4:30.

Advanced tickets for the June 26 event will be sold at the track on Saturday, June 12 and 19 during the nights of racing and one-day reserved seating for the Jim Williams Memorial Event will go on sale from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm at the track on Saturday, June 26.

For more information including the weekly Woodhull Raceway Report Audio Cast simply go to www.woodhullraceway.com.