KENNY PEOPLES SR. WINS 40 LAP NAPA SUPER STOCK FEATURE EVENT AT THE WOODHULL RACEWAY
Billy VanPelt makes it #7 in 358 Modified action. Moss, Goodier and Austin Jr. also victorious
(Woodhull, N.Y.) Kenny Peoples Sr. showed why he has become a master of the historic high banks of the Woodhull Raceway as he won the 40 lap feature event. For Peoples it was a sweep of both 40 lap feature events that were run at Woodhull in the 2005 season as he picked up his other win on June 11. However, for the veteran Addison competitor it did not come easy as a heavily smoking transmission during the closing laps had everyone on the edge of their seats wondering if his huge lead at the time would hold up and hold up it did as the faulty transmission was able to hold together long enough for him to take home the victory. Peoples was chased across the line by Glenn Whritenour, Greg Galligan, Mike Hilfiger and Greg Young. Qualifying heat races were won by Galligan, Rich Marlatt and Scott Brown.
Billy VanPelt was supposed to have retired at the completion of the 2004 race season, but some off season soul searching by himself and his team have found them back once again in competition and for the seventh time this year he found his way into victory lane. Like it has numerous times this season, Billy had to contend with his brother Curt, in fact it was Curt who looked poised to claim his second feature event of the season that was until a late race caution on lap 20 put Billy squarely on the back bumper of his older brother setting up another Ted White Racing one/two chase to the checkers. A slight bobble by Curt on the ensuing restart was all the edge that Billy needed to pass Curt on the bottom and go on for the win. A disappointed Curt VanPelt once again had to settle for the runner-up spot followed by Dale Welty, Stacy Jackson and Steve Hartman Sr. Heat races were won by Steve Hartman Jr., Vern Wasson and Steve Hartman Sr.
Mid way through the evening the S&W Awards and Photos Warriors took to the speedway for their 10 lap feature event and for the second time in 2005, Campbell youngster and second generation driver, Tom Austin Jr. was victorious as he bettered a nine car field. Following Austin across the line was Casey Pavilik, Bryce Davis, Brett Marlatt and Chris Young.
The Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks were once again thrilling for the capacity crowd to enjoy with their two and three abreast competition. Like Austin before him, Cliff Moss picked up a feature even earlier in the season and took advantage of his seventh starting spot to jump into the lead by the midway portion of the 20 lap feature and cruise to the popular win. Moss was followed across the line by Brian Knowles who recovered from an early race altercation to claim the runner-up spot. Dave Davis wound up third at the end with Mike Williams in a borrowed car fourth and Jerry Buckley fifth. Heat Races were won by Brian Knowles and Dan Gordan.
Last but certainly not least was the twenty lap Signs Plus of Kanona main event and for the third time in as many weeks and for the fifth time in 2005, Art Goodier was able to move through traffic from deep in the field and claim the win. The Osceola, Pa. native was able to pick his way through heavy traffic and bag the win followed by Don Knowles, Martin Vanderhoof was third followed by Bill Shea and Brooks Leach. Jason Ketrow who was originally the fourth car across the stripe was disqualified due to a rules infraction. Heat races went to Bill Shea, Ryan Davenport and Bobby Tompkins. The Mid-State Vintage Antique cars made their annual visit to Woodhull with John McNamee of Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada winning the 70”s, Howie Witter Jr. of Endwell, N.Y. won the 50’s division and Mike Cole of Woodbourne, N.Y was victorious in the 60’s.
The Cantina Restaurant of Corning along with the Pembrooke Pines Media hosted the event which was high lighted by numerous give-a-ways for the fans in attendance.
Next week it’s a Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks running their final thirty lap feature of the year. In addition it’s regular card of 358 Modifieds, NAPA Super Stocks, Signs Plus Mini Stocks as well as the S&W Awards and Photos Warriors. Gates at 4:30, racing at 7:00 with next weeks action brought to by the Polly-O Dairy/Kraft Foods Global, Inc.