DON LAWSON AND WALT MITCHELL SPLIT "THE QUALIFIER"- MODIFIED

TWIN TWENTIES AT WOODHULL RACEWAY

Saturday night at Woodhull Raceway, the Small Block Modified division was the

focus as the track presented the 4th annual edition of "The Qualifier", a twin twenty lap

feature format that presents guarenteed starting spot to two of the northeast's biggest

events to the winners of each of the two segments. Don Lawson recorded his first feature

win of the 1997 season in the first twenty, and will represent Woodhull Raceway at The

Budweiser Victoria 200 presented by Nice and Easy Grocery Shoppes at Fulton

Speedway on October 5th. Walt Mitchell, who also made his first visit of this season to

Woodhull's Victory Lane with his win in the second twenty, will represent the track at

Super DIRT Week's Prolong Super Lubricants 358 Modified Championship scheduled for

the Syracuse mile on October Ilth.

Kevin Chilson led the way to the checkered flag in the Street Stock feature, making for

two wins in a row, Les Smith came out on top of a hotly contested battle at the front of

the Amateur feature, and Art Goodier won his first main event of 1997 in the Four

Cylinder Sock Division.

Thirty Small Block Modifieds signed into the pits for Saturday night's show, and after

the qualifying events, only one car had been scratched from cometition, the Steve Kio

mount, with engine problems. The consolation qualified the final four to the first feature,

and that event was lined up by regular handicapping. The first feature was also a regular

point race.

Herbie Wright brought the field to green, and led the first five circuits, with second

year driver Tom Kio taking over for the next three.lawson, who started ninth, worked the

low side as Kio tried the high groove, and the pair put on a spirited battle until Lawson

took over on the eighth lap. From then on, the rest ofthe field was racing for second as

the veteran smoothly stepped away from the pack, and enjoyed nearly a ten car length

advantage when the checkered flag flew. Kio held off all challenges to record one of the

best efforts ofhis season, with Lyle Sherwood and Todd McManus treating the fans to an

intense duel for third in the closing laps. Sherwood came out on top ofthat debate, with

Lany Doolittle rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth went to Steve Coots, Butch

Harris, Steve Hartman, Herbie Wright, and Bobby Sherwood. Nineteen cars were on the

lead lap at the finish.

The second feature was lined up according to a coin toss by Lawson in the first

feature's Victory Lane, with the results inverting the entire finishing order. The other

option was to have inverted only the top twelve. Chris Waters was unable to start the

second event, which placed Walt Mitchell on the pole. Mitchell, who has had an extended

string of bad luck throughout the early part of the season, set a smooth pace at the front

of the field and was able keep his pursuers at bay for all twenty laps to record his first

Woodhull win since last August. Billy Van Pelt provided the pressure throught the first

half, but a tangle on tum four ruined his chances of a good finish. Tim Thomton took over

the runner-up spot and hung on to lead Steve Hartman, Stacy Jackson and Todd

McManus across the finish line. Dave Callaman finished sixth, Don Lawson was seventh,

Bobby Sherwood eighth, Bill Deming ninth, and Chuck Kennison was tenth.

Kevin Chilson overpowered Brian Scouten and Ken Peoples to take the top spot in the

Street Stock feature on the fourth lap and the Lawrenceville Pennsylvania pilot held on to

win his second feature in as many weeks. Mike Hilfiger came from eleventh starting spot to pressure Chilson in the closing laps, but had to settle for a close second at the wire.

Steve McGregor finished third, with Mike Smith tuming a nineteenth place start into a

fourth place finish. Scott Brown was fifth, with Lany Robbins sixth, Donnie Smith

seventh, Bany Payne eighth, Bill Brewer ninth, and Brett Flint tenth.

The Amateurs suffered through a case of yellow flag fever in the opening laps, but the

second half ran under green with some great racing. The top five cars ran in a tight pack

for the last eight laps, and there were three different leaders in the final four circuits. Les

Smith added to his win total, with Ron Divens second, Todd Burgess third, Rich Marlatt

fourth and Teny Thompson fifth. The remainder ofthe top ten were Pete Fibsimmons,

Jem/ Buckley, Stan Hoffman, P.J. Devinney, and Clayton McClean.

The Four Cylinder Stocks went flag to flag with no cautions, with Bob Lubberts and

Art Goodier debating the lead throughout the entire race. Goodier got the edge with three

laps remaining, and Lubberts had to settle for second at the checkered flag. Bill Shay was

third, Tom Stewart fourth, and Don Potter fifth. Brian Grant, Brian Austin, Ed Mills,

Teny Fredericks, and Teny Comish rounded out the top five.

This week, The Elmira Bottling Company and Full Service Vending will present

Mountain Dew Night in the Boonies, with many special giveaways to the fans and drivers.

All four divisions will run regular distance events as we kick offthe month ofAugust.

Also, don't forget to plan a visit to Woodhull Raceway on August 9th as the Super Late

Models will be in competition for their annual event. Saturday night race time is 7:00

P.M., with spectator gates opening at 4:30. For fUrther information, contact the track

office at 607-458-5275.