DEREK MILLS MAKES HISTORY AS WOODHULL WARRIOR FIRST EVER FEATURE EVENT WINNER. MIKE JACKSON IN THE DIRT 358 MODIFIEDS, CROOKER, DUNNING AND HYER ALSO VICTORIOUS

It may have been a cold April Saturday evening at the Woodhull Raceway, but the competition on the track warmed things up as the season opener for 2004 was safely put into the record books. Derek Mills of Campbell made history as being the very first ever Woodhull Warrior feature event winner as the upstart division made its debut marking the 40th Anniversary of Steuben Counties only speed plant. Mills was followed across the line by Joe Dgien, Michele Kurtz and Tom Austin Jr. For their efforts, S&W Awards and Photos presented each participant with a commerative plaque of the first ever event at Woodhull The Warrior Division is for young men and women ages 12 to16 competing in Woodhull legal Mini Stock’s Then it was time for the other four fantastic classes to take their turn on Woodhull’s high banked one third of a mile clay oval. By the luck of the redraw, last years Woodhull DIRT 358 Modified Track Champion, Steve Hartman Sr. found himself on the pole for the 25 lap A Main and at the drop of the green Hartman was able to pull in front of outside front row starter, Mike Jackson. Steve Hartman Jr was able to keep pace with the lead duo as the lead between Hartman and Jackson switched numerous times throughout the first half of the main event. Several yellows slowed the pace with most of the lead pack staying within striking distance of the race leaders. Nearing the twenty lap mark Jackson had opened a comfortable lead over Hartman Sr. but a late race yellow bunched the field for a five lap dash for cash. Hartman made several bold attempts at Jackson but was unsuccessful and came up half a car length short at the drop of Scott Colegroves checkered. Steve Hartman Jr. finished a close third with opening night heat race winner, Dylan Dewert fourth and Stacy Jackson coming from fourteenth to round the top five. Billy VanPelt was never able to mount a real charge and settled for sixth with Lyle Sherwood Ron White Roger Williams and Larry Doolittle rounding the top ten finishers. Qualifying heat race winners were Dewert, Billy VanPelt and Curt VanPelt with Frank Dunning winning the B-Main. Twenty-seven DIRT 358 Modifieds were in action. The NAPA Super Stocks were next on the raceway with Greg Crooker making good use of the old saying, “Never give up until it’s over” as he made a last lap pass of then race leader, Glenn Whritenour to pick up the popular 20 lap feature event. Crooker was a solid top three car throughout most of the way; however the car came on very strong during the late stages of the event and the sophomore sensation found his way into Woodhull’s victory lane and thus earns a berth in the season ending NAPA Super Stock Race of Champions. For Whritenour it was a bittersweet ending as it looked like he was well on his way to the win, but a second place finish in the double point show finds the Jasper native in good shape after one event. Rich Marlatt led in the early stages and fell to third late in the affair with Alan Crooker finishing fourth and Ed Mills fifth. Greg Galligan, Bob Clark, Mark Costa, Kenny Peoples Sr. and Brett Flint represented the second group of five finishers. Qualifying heat race winners included Ed Mills and Greg Crooker. For the Crooker family it was a huge night with son Greg bettering father Alan who is now back in action after a one year lay off due to health issues. The Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks were next on the Woodhull high banks and as expected the 20 lap feature go was packed with excitement from the opening green to the final checkers. Unfortunately an early race altercation on the front straight took out several cars most of which had to be towed from the scene with heavy front and rear damage. Those included Dave Davis, Gordy Price, Chris Friends and Jessee Pruden. On the lap five restart only eighteen cars remained from the original twenty three car starting line up as last years track champion, Mike Williams led the way with Jerry Buckley in hot pursuit. During the latter stages of the race, Williams car seemed to have the handling go away which let a whole pack of cars enter the challenge for the top spot. Rookie Street Stock competitor and second generation pilot, Nate Dunning running in his first ever event since graduating from the Mini Stock class showed that he has nerves of steel as he hustled by Williams then Buckley to take the lead on lap sixteen and never looked back as a blanket was thrown over the top three at the finish. Dave Gee was able to close on the rear bumper of Buckley at the checkers, Mike Williams hung on for fourth and Cliff Moss drove another steady race to finish fifth. Positions six through ten were Gary Archer, Phil Hall, Ken Thomas, Jeff Smith and Josh Nobriga. Double point qualifiers were won by Cliff Moss, Henry Miracle and Jerry Buckley. Last but certainly not least, the Signs Plus Mini Stock Division wade their way to the track and Campbell’s, Ray Hyer showed the capacity crown that he may be the man to best in 2004 as Hyer put on a driving clinic on route to the win. Bill Shea, back in the Mini Stock’s after a brief two year stint in the Street Stock Division kept Hyer on his toes during the closing laps, but Hyer was up to the challenge stayed in front until the checkers. Kevin Erdman, early race leader, Ryan Davenport, Brooks Leach, Dennis Erdman, A.J. Costley, Brian Butler, Bill VanEtten and Jordan Dibble finished in positions three through ten. The three heat races were won by Hyer, Kevin Erdman and Brian Grant. Representatives of the Jasper Junction, gas, grocery and deli, Rt. 417 in Jasper were on hand to sponsor the night of action which produced a huge turnout of fans as well as machinery. Next week the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks will have their first extra distance feature event of 2004 with a special 30 lap main. In addition the DIRT 358 Modifieds, NAPA Super Stocks, Signs Plus Mini Stocks and the S&W Warriors will al see action sponsored by the Elmira Pepsi Bottling Group.

Race Results:

DIRT 358 Modifieds

Heats Dylan Dewert, Billy VanPelt, Curt VanPelt B-Main Frank Dunning

25 lap feature Mike Jackson, Steve Hartman Sr., Steve Hartman Jr., Dylan Dewert, Stacy Jackson, Billy VanPelt, Lyle Sherwood, Ron White, Roger Williams, Larry Doolittle

NAPA Super Stocks

Heats Ed Mills, Greg Crooker

20 lap feature Greg Crooker, Glen Whritenour, Rich Marlatt, Alan Crooker, Ed Mills, Greg Galligan, Bob Clark, Mark Costa, Ken Peoples Sr., Brett Flint

Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks

Heats Cliff Moss, Henry Miracle, Jerry Buckley

20 lap feature Nate Dunning, Jerry Buckley, Dave Gee, Mike Williams, Cliff Moss, Gary Archer, Phil Hall, Ken Thomas, Jeff Smith, Josh Nobriga

Signs Plus Mini Stocks

Heats Ray Hyer, Kevin Erdman, Brian Grant

20 lap feature Ray Hyer, Bill Shea, Kevin Erdman, Ryan Davenport, Brooks Leach, Dennis Erdmann, A.J. Costley, Brian Butler, Bill VanEtten, Jordan Dibble

S&W Awards and Photos Woodhull Warriors

10 lap feature Derek Mills, Joe Dgien, Michele Kurtz, Tom Austin Jr.