SHERWOOD AND SHEA MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW AT WOODHULL. PEOPLES SR., DIVENS AND MILLS ALSO FIND VICTORY LANE

Ulysses, Pa. native, Lyle Sherwood made it back to back wins at the Woodhull Raceway in the DIRT 358 Modifieds as he was victorious in the 25 lap feature event. “Mr. Outside”, as he has been dubbed once again rode the cushion to a convincing win on what was by far the nicest Saturday evening thus far in the 2004 race season. A jammed grandstand was on hand to witness the masterful driving performance by Sherwood and he becomes the first repeat feature winner at Woodhull this year in Modified action. Billy VanPelt dogged Sherwood the entire distance and even with a handful of yellows throughout the event VanPelt was unable to pass the highflying Sherwood. With the high banked one-third of a mile red clay oval sporting numerous grooves, it was a classic battle between the two veterans for the top spot with Sherwood taking the high road and VanPelt running the bottom. Bicknell chassis swept the top three positions as Dylan Dewert drove a steady race to finish third with current high point man, Steve Hartman Jr. coming from thirteenth to finish fourth. Opening night feature winner, Mike Jackson rounded out the top five. Donnie Lawson had his best finish of the year as he led the second group of five across the finish line followed by Tom Austin, Steve Hartman Sr, Aaron Jacobus and Bob Davis. Both Austin and Hartman Sr. in a back-up car made the biggest moves of the night having come from the consi and started nineteenth and twentieth respectively. Jacobus rallied from an opening lap spin and Davis from a mid race altercation to capture top ten finishes. Earlier evening qualifying heat races were won by Chuck Kennison, Sherwood and Jacobus with Austin picking up the win in the B-Main. Some twenty-seven Small Block Modifieds were in action with the top two from each qualifying heat event advancing into the Radar Wright Memorial Dash for Cash where DIRT 358 Modified competitor and car owner, Herb Wright and his family posted the $1,000 dash money. Steve Hartman Jr. was victorious in the ten lap affair.

The NAPA Super Stocks were next on the agenda as the classy looking, full fendered brigade running their first extra distance event of the year. Rich Marlatt led the field to the green for the 40 lap affair and was the man to beat in the early going. Glenn Whritenour, with one win to his credit in 2004 dogged Marlatt for the first few laps and was able to wrestle the lead away. The bottom of the speedway seemed to be the quickest way around for the Super Stocks as not many competitors strayed away thus passing was at a premium. Kenny Peoples Sr., in a new ride this year had his car dialed in perfectly for the bottom and was able to power his way around Whritenour and by the half way mark was solidly in control. From there on it was a Sunday drive on Saturday night for the many time Woodhull Track Titlist as Peoples as he coasted to his first win in 2004. Mike Hilfiger was able to pass Whritenour and finish in the runner up spot at the conclusion of the 40 lap grind. For Hilfiger, it was his best performance of the year. Whritenour was able to hold on for third followed by current high point man, Greg Crooker. Ed Mills drove a steady race to finish fifth. Alan Crooker led the charge of positions six through ten as he was followed by Rich Marlatt, Kyle Lefelhoc, Greg Galligan and Mark Costa. Qualifying heats went to Marlatt and Peoples.

Mid way through the qualifying heat races, the S&W Awards and Photos Warriors took their turn on the Woodhull high banks and nine youngsters were in attendance as the upstart division continues to grow. After loosing his regular ride to mechanical problems, Derek Mills was able to jump into the Ryan Davenport Mini Stock and claim his fourth win in 2004. However for Mills it did not come easy as his step brother, Tom Austin Jr. gave Mills all he could handle for the entire 10 lap engagement. Other drivers in competition were Michelle Kurtz, Joe Dgien, Bryce Davis, Billy Simpson, Brett Marlatt, Danielle Morseman and Michael Jackson.

The Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks were next on the raceway for their regularly scheduled 20 lap feature and for the fifth time in as many weeks a new face found victory lane. Ron Divens of Hornby was able to wrestle the lead away early and hold off a late race charge by both Gordy Price and Ken Thomas to claim the win. For Divens it was a home coming win as the veteran competitor and his team have made a return engagement with Woodhull for the 2004 campaign after having spent the past several years in other divisions of action. Some eight years ago, Divens picked-up his first ever feature win in this very class so now he has come full circle and with the popular victory he puts himself into the Morgan’s Auto Repair Race of Champions set for seasons end. Ken Thomas who started near mid pack drove a steady/heady race to finish in the runner-up position and tighten up the point battle. Gordy Price had his best run of the year nailed down third with last weeks feature winner, Lance Baker finishing fourth and current point leader and defending track champion, Mike Williams rounding the top five. Dave Davis came from the consi to finish sixth, Jerry Buckley was seventh, Henry Miracle was next across the line for eighth, Dave Gee ninth and Brian Austin rounded the top ten. Twenty-six Street Stocks were in attendance requiring three qualifying heat races which were won by Gary Archer, Gene Galligan and Divens as Dan Gordan was able to take the win in the Morgan’s Auto Repair Second Chance Race.

Last but not least the Signs Plus Mini Stocks were on the speedway to cap off the aggressive night of action, however it was not a great way to finish the night as on lap four of the scheduled 20 lap feature event an altercation on the front straight sent Rookie competitor, Randy Smith head long into the turn one wall. Corner workers immediately summoned medical attention and after some thirty minutes of removing the cars room and delicate medical assistance from the Woodhull Volunteer Fire and Rescue Team, Smith was removed on a back board from his battered Ford Mustang and transferred to a local hospital for observation. As of press time no word was received on his condition. Complaining of severe back and chest pains, Smith was alert and responding to rescue personnel. When the green flag was put back on the field it was last weeks feature winner, Bill Shea taking control of the event and opening up a sizable lead, however Josh Mills had broken free of traffic and was drawing a bead on the race leader. With the laps winding down, Shea’s mount was developing an engine skip and Mills was up on the wheel and this one was definitely going to the wire. A yellow on lap nineteen put Mills squarely on the rear bumper of Shea, however Shea had a great restart and was able to hold off Mills in the one lap dash to the checkered flag. Mills, who will be leaving soon for his military obligations had to settle for a disappointing second as Brian Butler had his best performance of the year by finishing third. Ryan Davenport was as rock solid as ever to claim fourth and Brian Grant rounded out the top five. Chad Dickerson led the next group of five across the line including fellow Toyota driver, Brooks Leach, A.J. Costley, Bill VanEtten and Scott Madison. Thirty-one Signs Plus Mini Stocks were in action requiring four qualifying heats which were won by Brian Butler, Brian Grant, Bill VanEtten and Don Knowles. Chad Dickerson won the consi.

For the fifth time in 2004 the Woodhull Raceway grandstand seating area was filled to capacity as one hundred cars jammed the Woodhull pit area. Multi Media Services of Corning and Wades Farm and Home of Addison were both on board to sponsor the show. Next week it’s the Mid-Season Championship Races with double points on the line for all qualifying heats and feature events. Machuga Contractors and the Knight Settlement Sand and Gravel Company will sponsor the June 19 event.

Race Summary

DIRT 358 Modifieds

Heats Chuck Kennison Lyle Sherwood Aaron Jacobus Consi. Tom Austin

25 lap feature Lyle Sherwood, Billy VanPelt, Dylan Dewert, Steve Hartman Jr., Mike Jackson, Donnie Lawson, Tom Austin, Steve Hartman Sr., Aaron Jacobus, Bob Davis

NAPA Super Stocks

Heats Rich Marlatt Ken Peoples Sr.

40 lap feature Ken Peoples Sr., Mike Hilfigr, Glenn Whritenour, Greg Crooker, Ed Mills, Alan Crooker, Rich Marlatt, Kyle Lefelhoc, Greg Galligan, Mark Costa

Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks

Heats Gary Archer Gene Galligan Ron Divens Consi. Dan Gordan

20 lap feature Ron Divens, Ken Thomas, Gordy Price, Lance Baker, Mike Williams, Dave Davis, Jerry Buckley, Henry Miracle, David Gee, Brian Austin

Signs Plus Mini Stocks

Heats Brian Butler Brian Grant Bill VanEtten Don Knowles Consi. Chad Dickerson

20 lap feature Bill Shea, Josh Mills, Brian Butler, Ryan Davenport, Brian Grant, Chad Dickerson, Brooks Leach, A.J. Costley, Bill VanEtten, Scott Madison

Woodhull Warriors

Feature Derek Mills, Tommy Austin Jr, Michele Kurtz, Bryce Davis