News Director 
Story By: STEVEN OVENS / WOODHULL RACEWAY – WOODHULL, NY – A season’s worth of blood, sweat, tempers and tears will culminate on Saturday night at Ted and Brandi White’s Woodhull Raceway.
All eight of Woodhull’s division champions will be crowned, with three championships already being locked up before entering Championship Night. The Street Stock, Mini Stock and Warriors championships have already been decided and were clinched last weekend during Legends Night that saw 16 inaugural members inducted into the Woodhull Raceway Hall of Fame.
Headlining the excitement will be the Insinger Performance Modifieds, where Billy Van Pelt carries a mere seven-point lead in quest of his record 20th Woodhull track title. Van Pelt has had his eyes on 20 since rejoining car owner Kevin Chilson and will have to beat out Corning, NY pilot Cory Costa to do it.
Costa has led the points in the latter half of the 2018 season, but a flat tire during last week’s feature allowed Van Pelt to gain eight points and take the points lead. Though Costa lost the point lead, he will have a slight advantage in the handicap assuming he earns that spot by qualifying through the heat race.
The NAPA Crate Sportsman will also see an epic battle for their championship, as Jake Dgien also carries a seven-point lead for the title over Kenny Peoples Jr. Dgien has led the points race nearly all season, with Peoples making a late run to make things interesting.
In what made for some social media controversy last weekend, Peoples’ motor was claimed by another competitor, as allowed by Woodhull Raceway rules. Peoples’ cousin, Bobby, has stepped up to provide whatever cousin Kenny needs to contend for the title. Dgien’s recent runs of third, second and fourth will put him at a disadvantage in the handicap- but he’s proved time and time again that the starting spot is merely a number.
The SWL Awards Crate Late Models will also come down to the wire on Saturday night. Addison, NY shoe Jason Knowles leads Steve LeBarron by four markers coming into Championship Night. Knowles wants nothing more than to win a Woodhull title so close to home- even missing a RUSH Tour event late in the season to not miss a points-paying race at Woodhull. The Crate Lates came down to a single point in 2017 and very well could again in 2018.
A 13-point swing in the Woodhull Auto Supply Hobby Stocks last week for ‘Mr. Excitement’ Joe Birdsall was just about all he needed to wrap up the championship. Carter Dennis isn’t out of the championship chase yet, but it would take a complete disaster for Birdsall not to be standing in Victory Lane as the champion. A problem for Dennis last weekend seemingly stole what chance he had at making it two championships in a row.
It was a broken axle last weekend for Adam DelGrosso that put him ten points behind teammate and car builder Codie Baker for the Bear’s Auto Body Front Wheel Drive championship. Like Carter Dennis, DelGrosso needs a Woodhull miracle to stop the dominant force in the second half of the season in Baker. Baker has won five out of the last eight races to cut into DelGrosso’s lead and eventually overtaking the point lead.
Dylan Cecce (Street Stocks), Chris Woodard (Mini Stocks) and Carter Crooker (Warriors) just have to show up, race their race, kiss the girl and take their photos as 2018 track champions. Woodhull Raceway wishes to congratulate each of them for a great season at ‘New York’s Toughest Bullring.’
Pits open on Saturday at 3:30PM, followed by a Driver Appreciation Pig Roast in the pits with pit passes carrying a $30 fee. General Admission gates swing open at 4:30PM and will be $12 for adults 13 and up and $6 for Seniors 62+ and Students 8-12. The weekly $1 off Early Bird Special will run from 4:30PM-5:30PM. Children 7 and under, camping and parking are always free at Woodhull Raceway.
