SHERWOOD TAKES NUMBER THREE AT WOODHULL
TIGHTENS POINT BATTLE HILFIGER GETS FIRST OF THE SEASON, MOSS AND HARP PICK-UP SECOND WINS OF 2002 AND POVOSKI MAKES IN NUMBER EIGHT IN MINI STOCK ACTION
Under absolutely perfect weather conditions and an equally perfect racing surface, Lyle Sherwood of Ulysses, Pa. showed why he has acquired the nickname of "Mr Outside" as he rode the cushion to his third DIRT 358 Modified feature event of the 2002 season It was Mountain Dew and Polio Dairy Night at the historic Woodhull Raceway and for Sherwood, it did not come easy as once again Steve Hartman looked like the man to beat . Throughout the entire 25 lap distance, Sherwood and Hartman staged a torrid battle as they distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Numerous cautions for spins and minor accidents slowed the event which saw current point leader, Billy VanPelt take a serious blow to his chances of repeating as Woodhull Raceway Track Champion due to his early departure because of damage suffered in a mid race accident. Earlier in the evening, Hartman had taken over the point lead by winning his qualifying heat race and picking-up the five bonus points that go along with it. VanPelt was unable to win a qualifier and entered the feature event a scant two points behind Hartman. By the luck of the redraw, Hartman and Sherwood started towards the front of the twenty-four car starting line up with VanPelt lined up several rows back. With VanPelt's early departure, Hartman stretched his point lead at the conclusion of the event with his fine second place finish. A lap twenty-four caution bunched the field with Sherwood at the point and Hartman glued to his rear bumper. Third place runner, John Moravec nearly stole the show as he made a daring inside move on the two leaders during the finale restart. As the lead trio exited turn four and headed to the checkered flag, they were three wide for the win with Sherwood just barely holding off Hartman who was just a few feet ahead of Moravec. Stacy Jackson drove a steady race to claim third with Dylan Dewert rounding out the top five. Qualifying heat races went to Hartman, Sherwood and Dave Dubois. Larry Doolittle was the winner of the consi.
The Super Stocks were next to take their turn on the ultra smooth high banked one-third of a mile clay oval and like the DIRT 358 Modifieds before them could not get into a rhythm due to numerous cautions which slowed the event. It was nearly a carbon copy of the Modifieds as the Super Stock 20 lap feature was plagued with yellow fever for several spins and accidents. Top point contenders, Kenny Peoples and Rich Marlatt both had serious set backs in their point battle with current high point man Larry Knowles as Peoples exited early after being swept-up in an accident and Marlatt was gone near the end of the event after cutting a right rear tire while negotiating lap traffic. However, that did not deter the current race leader and eventual winner, Mike Hilfiger from making his way into victory lane for the first time in 2002 and thus qualifying him for the season ending NAPA sponsored Race of Champions. For Hilfiger, it ended a season long run of bad luck which included everything from flat tires to accidents to mechanical failures. Hilfiger was clearly the class of the field on this particular evening as he made his way to the point in a hurry and never looked back. Brett Flint and Larry Knowles were early race victims of minor accidents and worked their way from the rear to claim second and third spots respectively. Scott Dennison and Bill Smith were fourth and fifth at the checkers. Qualifying heats and the five bonus points went to Hilfiger, Peoples and Alan Crooker. Like the DIRT 358 Modifieds, the Super Stock point battle is shaping up to be a real nail biter with the weeks winding down. The field of IMCA Modifieds was a bit disappointing as only twelve cars took Steve Cady's opening green flag for their twenty lap affair. IMCA Racing Vice President of operations, Brett Roote was in attendance to meet with both the track management and racers alike as he had flown in from Vinton, Iowa to attend the races at Woodhull and Brewerton the night before. Defending Woodhull Track Champ., Larry Robbins led in the early going and looked like he might find victory lane for the second time this season, however it was IMCA Rookie, Greg Galligan who had the horse to beat as he motored past Robbins and opened up a full straight a way advantage. Galligan survived a couple quick cautions during the event, but a lap fifteen crash on the front straight saw the red flag displayed as Mike Smith and Willy Rice both made contact with Rice going hard into the wall and Smith spinning wildly into the infield. Rice exited his mount without injury, but the same could not be said about his car as both competitors were done for the night. This set-up a late race green to the checkered run with last weeks feature winner, Earl Harp now glued to Galligan's back bumper. On the restart Harp did not let Galligan get away and kept up the pressure and as the lead duo crossed the line for the two to go signal, Harp was able to inch ahead and take over the top spot. Harp held on for the win with a disappointed Galligan finishing second. Larry Robbins did hold on for third, Clayton McClean was fourth and Ray Brohl drove a steady race to claim fifth. The lone IMCA Modified qualifying heat earlier in the evening went to Mike Smith. The Street Stocks reported to the speedway next for their scheduled twenty lap event. Earlier in the evening three qualifying heat races and a consi had to be run to trim the field to the required twenty four car feature line-up. Heat wins went to Jeff Smith, Henry Miracle and Randy Hilfiger with Bill Shea nailing down the win in the Morgan's Auto Repair Second Chance Race. Cliff Moss of Canisteo, N.Y. laid his claim to the 2002 Woodhull Raceway Track Championship run as he dominated the event. As in most weeks the Street Stocks ran a steady race with very few yellows, however the scary moment of the night came late in the event as second place runner, Bob Clark's mount burst into flames exiting turn four. Clark was able to keep the car under control as he steered the inferno into the infield grass where he was met by several fire and rescue personal. It was a very anxious moment as track side rescue workers were able to pull Clark from his burning mount and immediately attended to him at the scene. Due to the heavy nomex fire retardant drivers suit and other safety apparatus, Clark was O.K. but done for the night as he waved to a very relieved crowd. This set the stage for a late race charge to the checkers with Moss in control, but Geoff McNally was putting on the drive of the night as once again he had methodically worked his way into the top five and was now challenging for the win. With the white flag in the air Moss still had the lead, but McNally was coming hard on the inside and as the lead duo exited turn four and were looking at the checkered flag, McNally was able to get a wheel alongside Moss but fell just a few feet short at the stripe. For Moss it was his second win of the year as he had also found victory lane on the opening night of the season back in late April. McNally settled for the runner-up position and Henry Miracle finished off a steady performance by claiming third. Mike Williams was a rock solid fourth and late years champ, Lyle Smith did round out the top five. Like the Modifieds, Supers and IMCA's before them, the Street Stock Division has a torrid point battle going where anyone of a half dozen drivers still have a chance to win this years track title. The Mini Stock Division was the final feature of the night and for the eighth time in 2002, Joe Povoski put his potent Ford Mustang into Woodhull's victory lane. For Povoski, it was like a Sunday drive on Saturday night and although he started deep in the twenty four car field, Povoski was able to move very quickly through traffic and once in front never looked back winning by a comfortable margin. However, the competition for second on back was the real show of the night as up to ten different drivers took their turn in the runner up spot during the event. The crowd was treated to a tremendous display of driving talent as three and four wide action kept everyone on the edge of their seats. When the event was over, Todd Stone had worked his way into second spot with Ray Hyer third, Kris Kester fourth and Kevin Young rounding the top five in a blanket finish. Qualifying heat race wins were claimed by Todd Stone, Kenny Peoples Jr. and Kevin Young.
Next week at Woodhull it is Klopp's Transmissions Night featuring a regular Five Star Show of the DIRT 358 Modifieds, Super Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, Street and Mini Stock Divisions. In addition, the Central New York Mini Sprints will make their way to the Woodhull Raceway for their annual engagement. The Mini Sprints are always very supportive of Woodhull and bring along a full contingent.
Race Summary:
DIRT 358 Modifieds Heats 1) Steve Hartman Sr. 2) Lyle Sherwood 3) Dave Dubois Consi) Larry Doolittle
25 lap feature 1) Lyle Sherwood 2) Steve Hartman Sr. 3) John Moravec 4) Stacy Jackson 5) Dylan Dewert 6) Larry Keegan 7) Fred Amann 8) Ron Cartwright Sr. 9) Mike Jackson 10) Don Lawson
Super Stocks Heats 1) Mike Hilfiger 2) Kenny Peoples Sr. 3) Alan Crooker
20 lap feature 1) Mike Hilfiger 2) Brett Flint 3) Larry Knowles 4) Scott Dennison 5) Bill Smith 6) Mike Carapella 7) Alan Crooker 8) Bill Williams 9) Bob Lubberts 10) Brian Knowles
IMCA Modifieds Heats 1) Mike Smith
20 lap feature 1) Earl Harp 2) Greg Galligan 3) Larry Robbins 4) Clayton McClean 5) Ray Brohl 6) Bob Davis 7) Mike Writenour 8) Greg Galligan 9) Steve Williams 10) Jeff Johnson
Street stocks Heats 1) Jeff Smith 20 Henry Miracle 3) Randy Hilfiger Consi Bill Shea
20 lap feature 1) Cliff Moss 2) Geoff McNally 3) Henry Miracle 4) Mike Williams 5) Lyle Smith 6) Todd Burgess 7) Randy Hilfiger 8) Dan Gordon 9) Ken Thomas 10) Jeff Smith
Mini Stocks Heats 1) Todd Stone 2) Kenny Peoples Jr. 3) Kevin Young
20 lap feature 1) Joe Povoski 2) Todd Stone 3) Ray Hyer 4) Kris Kester 5) Kevin Young 6) Mike Hughey 7) Dave Kurtz 8) Kenny Peoples Jr. 9) Chad Dickerson 10) Ryan Davenport