DAVE DUBOIS WINS FIRST EVER DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE EVENT AT THE WOODHULL RACEWAY
GALLIGAN, MARICLE AND MILLS GET WINS
It was the season finale and the Labor Day Trophy Races this past Saturday night at the Woodhull Raceway. Albeit the fact that it was on the cool side a great crowd was on hand for the last race of 2003.
During the week Dave Dubois works as a special investigator for the Village of Bath Police Department. On the weekends he exchanges his three piece suit and tie for a three piece fire retardant driving suit and helmet as he pilots a DIRT 358 Modified at both the Black Rock Speedway as well as the Woodhull Raceway. In only his first full season as the driver of the Starkey Motorsports potent #6x, Dubois has turned heads at both venues, but on Saturday night, August 30, Dubois proved that he belonged in the modified set as he picked-up his first ever feature win and it came at Woodhull, the very track at which he cut his teeth in racing in the Street Stock Division some half decade ago. For Dubois it was a culmination of both skill and good equipment as he bested a number of outstanding competitors on his way to victory.
Veteran competitor, Don Lawson and his son, Donnie led the twenty three car field to the opening green flag. Several cautions slowed the pace in the early going as newly crowned 2003 Woodhull DIRT 358 Modified pilot, Steve Hartman SR. along with his son Steve Jr., Lyle Sherwood and Don Lawson were all collected in an early race altercation. All would be able to continue with only Hartman Jr. really mounting much of a challenge from the rear. By lap nine, Dubois was comfortably in front by a full straight a way with Dylan Dewert slowing working his way through traffic and bringing a host of cars with him including Dale Welty, Billy VanPelt and Larry Doolittle. With Dubois working lap traffic by the mid way point of the 25 lap feature event, Dewert was able to close in and by lap 20 was knocking at the door for the win. Steve Hartman Jr. was quickly moving through the field in a terrific run from the back of the pack and my lap 22 had joined the party. A final lap caution set up a green/ checkered run with Dave Dubios holding off Dewert and Hartman Jr. in dramatic fashion. Dale Welty was once again rock solid as he held off VanPelt for fourth and VanPelt rounding the top five. The next group of five finishers included Larry Doolittle, Roger Williams capped off a great night for Starkey Motorsports by finishing seventh, Frank Dunning was eighth, Lyle Sherwood rallied for ninth and Stacy Jackson rounded the top ten. Qualifying heats went to Dale Welty, Steve Hartman Sr. and Steve Hartman Jr.
In Super Stock action, by the luck of the re-draw Greg Galligan took advantage of his pole position starting position to lead all twenty laps in winning the Labor Day Trophy. For Galligan it was a bitter sweet win as the sensational rookie had to settle for a runner-up position in the final point tally to 2003 Woodhull Track Champ, Larry Knowles. In this feature event however, Knowles was no match for the high flying Galligan as he had to settle for a distant second place finish at the checkers. The other outstanding 2003 rookie competitor, Greg Crooker drove a steady race to finish third, but the drive of the night was by Rich Marlatt who started dead last in the eighteen car feature and fought his way to a fourth place finish. For Marlatt it was a tough night emotionally as earlier in the week his father, who had supported Rich’s career had passed away very suddenly. Kyle Lefelhoc had his best finish of the year by rounding the top five. Next across the line was many time 2003 Woodhull feature winner, Glenn Whritenour, Randy Hilfiger was seventh, Scott Brown was eighth, Mike Whritenour was ninth and Jim Buck rounded the top ten. Qualifying heats went to Galligan and Knowles.
For the second time this year Henry Miracle found victory lane at Woodhull as he came home victorious in the twenty lap Street Stock Feature. However, it was not an easy win for Miracle as he had a see saw battle with Geoff McNally the entire distance. The two swapped the lead several times each lap as a whole group of cars lead by Chuck Pruden were right behind the race leaders and as in typical Street Stock action you could throw a blanket over the top ten at the finish. McNally did have to settle for second at the finish with Pruden taking third. Two time feature winner, Dan Gordon was fourth, Steve Williams came next across the line in fifth after recovering from an early race altercation. The next group of five were led by Rod Mullen, Dave Morter was seventh, Gary Archer eighth, Joe Djien ninth and Cliff Moss nailed down the tenth spot. The two qualifying heat races were won by McNally and Miracle. Last but not least the Mini Stock’s took their turn on the high banked one-third of a mile clay oval for their twenty lap affair and at the finish it was Josh Mills capping off a terrific year by winning the season finale. However, like Henry Miracle before him it did not come easy for Mills as he had to put on a last lap pass of then race leader, Ryan Davenport to claim the victory. Davenport, who had let most of the contest, had to settle for a disappointing second, Billy VanEtten had his best finish of the year by finishing third, Don Knowles was fourth and pole sitter Jordon Dibble was fifth. Early race leader Jeff Stone picked-up the sixth spot at the finish, Dennis French was seventh, Lynn Burrell eighth, Brain Grant ninth and Ray Hyer in a borrowed car rounded the top ten finishers. Qualifying races went to VanEtten and Davenport.
The night of activity was sponsored by Davis Contracting of Lindley, New York and beautifully engraved trophies were handed out to all feature event finishers. During the intermission activities the Fourth Annual On-Track Awards Ceremony was held where all of the top point finishers and special award recipients were recognized. Results of the awards ceremony will be released in the near future. Plans are currently underway for a number of special promotions during the 2004 season as the Woodhull Raceway will celebrate their 40 year of consecutive season of race action.
Race Summary:
DIRT 358 Modifieds 25 lap feature, Dave Dubois, Dylan Dewert, Steve Hartman Jr., Dale Welty, Billy VanPelt, Larry Doolittle, Roger Williams, Frank Dunning, Lyle Sherwood, Stacy Jackson; Heats Dale Welty , Steve Hartman Sr., Steve Hartman Jr.
Super Stocks 20 lap feature, Greg Galligan, Larry Knowles, Greg Crooker, Rich Marlatt, Kyle Lefelhoc, Glenn Whritenour, Randy Hilfiger, Scott Brown, Mike Whritenour, Jim Buck; Heats Greg Galligan, Larry Knowles
Street Stocks 20 lap feature, Henry Miracle, Geoff McNally, Chuck Pruden, Dan Gordon, Steve Williams, Rod Mullen, Dave Morter, Gary Archer, Joe Dgien, Cliff Moss; Heats Geoff McNally, Henry Miracle
Mini Stocks 20 lap feature Josh Mills, Ryan Davenport, Bill VanEtten, Don Knowles, Jordon Dibble, Jeff Stone, Dennis French, Lynn Burrell, Brian Grant, Ray Hyer; Heats Bill VanEtten, Ryan Davenport