AARON JACOBUS DOMINATES DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE AT WOODHULL. WHRITENOUR, DAVIS, DEREK MILLS AND JOSH MILLS ALSO SHARE VICROTY LANE.
Under perfect weather conditions, the Woodhull Raceway logged its second show of the 2004 season. 100 cars jammed the Woodhull pit area as representatives of the Elmira Bottling Group featuring their Pepsi drink beverage were on hand to sponsor the program. After a several year hiatus, Lindley, New York native, Aaron Jacobus decided to make the Woodhull Raceway his home track in 2004 and after a rocky start to the season last week, Jacobus returned to Woodhull on this May Day Saturday evening and dominated the entire night of action. Right out of the box Jacobus was fast clicking times into the mid 15 second bracket from hot laps right through the mid portion of the 25 lap feature event. “We’re glad to be back, stated an excited Aaron Jacobus in victory lane. The fans and teams here at Woodhull have always been great to us and it sure is good to be back.” For Jacobus it was basically a Sunday drive on Saturday night, as he completely dusted a stellar field including some of the biggest names in 358 Modified action within the region. By the luck of the re-draw, Jacobus jumped into an early lead from his inside front row starting position and never looked back. Neither Steve Hartman Sr. or Jr. could keep pace with the high flying Jacobus as the father/son duo battled for the runner up position. As the checkers fell, Steve Hartman Sr. had bested his son, Steve Jr. for the runner up spot as Billy VanPelt had to settle for fourth and Roger Williams rounding the top five. Last weeks feature winner, Mike Jackson rallied from an early feature race altercation to finish sixth with Curt VanPelt, Lyle Sherwood, Stacy Jackson and Dave Dubois rounding the top ten. Several quick yellows slowed the event with most of the original 24 car field finishing the 25 lap affair. Modified qualifiers went to Jacobus, Hartman Jr. and Dylan Dewert. The NAPA Super Stocks were next on the raceway with only a couple quick yellows to slow the action Glenn Whritenour made up for last weeks misfortune by leading most of the 20 lap feature enroute to his first trip to victory lane in 2004. Whritenour had to stave off a relentless challenge for the top spot early on by veteran competitor, Alan Crooker. However, at the mid way portion and while leading, Crookers can became very loose and did a lazy spin coming off turn 4. The unfortunate recipient was Crookers son and last weeks feature winner, Greg who running third at the time and closing fast on the race leaders had no place to go and spun to avoid his fathers car. Both Crooker machines were sent to the rear of the field and from there it was clear sailing for Whritenour. Rich Marlatt tried to mount a challenge as the laps closed down, but had to settle for a well deserved runner up position. Third through tenth were Mike Hilfiger, Kyle Leflhoc, Brett Flint, Greg Galligan, Greg Crooker, Mark Costa, Mick Seeley and Craig Mahrt. Qualifiers were picked up by Greg Crooker and Marlatt. The S&W; Awards and Photos Woodhull Warriors put their second ever race into the record books and once again it was Campbell native, Derek Mills showing the fast way around Woodhull’s high banks and for the second week in a row, Joe Djien followed Mills across the finish line. Tommy Austin Jr. finished third and Michelle Kurtz was fourth. The Signs Plus Mini Stocks boasted a full field of cars once again with early evening qualifying heat race wins going to Bill Shea, Ray Hyer and Brian Grant. Going into the feature event, Ray Hyers Ford Mustang had been undefeated anytime that it was on any raceway thus far in 2004 consequently the pressure was on Hyer to continue his dominating performance. However, last years Track Champion, Josh Mills had other ideas and ended Hyers stranglehold of victory lane. Mills, who’s younger brother, Derek had won the Warrior feature in the evening driving Hyers mount looked real racy early on. Brian Grant looked like the man to beat however, but for the second week in a row mechanical problems cost Grant a shot at victory lane. When the checkered flag dropped ending the 20 lap feature event, Josh Mills stood tall in victory lane as Hyer had to settle for second. Bill Shea continues to be a picture of consistency with a great third place run; Ryan Davenport drove another consistent race for fourth with Don Knowles rounding the top five. Kevin Erdman was next across the line in sixth, Corky Grant limped home for seventh, A.J. Costly was eighth, Jordan Dibble ninth and George Cowls rounding the top ten. Heat race winners were Shea, Hyer and Grant. Last but not least the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks took center stage for their first extra distance race of the year. For the second week in a row, the usually error free Street Socks found yellow fever as several yellows slowed the event. During last weeks Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stock feature action a huge wreck on the front straight eliminated several top runners including Dave Davis whose Ford powered machine suffered heavy damage. After spend every evening in the garage, Davis and crew completely rebuilt the machine and by virtue of a dominating performance, found victory lane for a very popular win. Henry Miracle was second across the line; Dan Gordon finished third, Mike Williams fourth after starting twenty fourth and Cliff Moss rounded the top five. The next group of five was led across the line by Gerry Buckley, Nate Dunning, Josh Nobriga, Mike Williams and Ron Divens. Heats went to Davis, Chris Friends and Gordon. Next week it’s a Fantastic Five Card of events as Arkport Cycles will sponsor the Annual Fireman’s Appreciation Night and 4 wheel ATV invitational.
Race Summary:
358 Modifieds
25 lap feature Aaron Jacobus, Steve Hartman Sr., Steve Hartman Jr., Billy VanPelt, Roger Williams, Mike Jackson, Curt VanPelt, Lyle Sherwood, Stacy Jackson, Dave Dubois.
Heats Jacobus, Hartman Jr., Dylan Dewert
NAPA Super Stocks
20 lap feature Glenn Whritenour, Rich Marlatt, Mike Hilfiger, Kyle Leflhoc, Brett Flint, Greg Galligan, Greg Crooker, Mark Costa, Mick Seeley, Craig Mahrt.
Heats Greg Crooker, Marlatt
S&W; Awards and Photos Warriors
10 lap feature Derek Mills, Joe Dgien, Tom Austin Jr., Michelle Kurtz
Morgans Auto Repair Street Stocks
30 lap feature Dave Davis, Henry Miracle, Dan Gordon, Mike Williams, Cliff Moss, Gerry Buckley, Nate Dunning, Josh Nobriga, Steve Williams, Ron Divens
Heats Davis, Chris Friends, Gordon
Signs Plus Mini Stocks
20 lap feature Josh Mills, Ray Hyer, Bill Shea, Ryan Davenport, Don Knowles, Kevin Erdman, Corky Grant, A.J. Costley, Jordan Dibble, George Cowles
Heats, Shea, Hyer, Grant