WOODHULL, N.Y. – After suffering its third rainout of the season last week, Woodhull Raceway finally got a much-needed break from Mother Nature and fans and drivers alike were treated to spectacular weather and a great night of action.
For the third time in the last three events, 125 machines logged in for the night, which was presented by Hometown Excavating and Nikk L Brew Restaurant.
There have been times this year where perennial Woodhull Insinger Performance Modified track champion Billy VanPelt has struggled, and coming into the night he had only won one previous feature event.
On this night, it once again appeared like BVP was going to get shut of victory lane, and even a podium finish for that matter as Brady Fultz, Brayden Bills and Cory Costa all kept VanPelt in their rear-view mirror throughout the first half of the 25-lap event.
Fultz and Bills brought the field to the opening green and the pair began to distance themselves from the rest of the pack. Bills led the first few laps with Fultz taking command on lap three and putting distance between himself and Bills who was not contending with Cory Costa who lined up mid pack along with VanPelt.
Only two yellow flags slowed the pace in the first half of the event, but on lap 17 things got interesting as Costa, who had cleared Bills and was closing in on Fultz went into turn three to hard and jumped the cushion bringing out the caution.
On the restart, Fultz again opened a huge lead over Bills and BVP, who was up to third and challenging. Fultz’s brilliant performance came to an end on lap 20 as a broken drive shaft ended what looked to be a sure win. As that happened, VanPelt was just clearing Bills to take over second.
With Fultz’s departure, it put VanPelt into the top spot, and all he had to do was close out the remaining five circuits to take home his second win of the season.
Third-generation pilot Braden Bills did a masterful job in finishing second, followed across the line by Donnie Lawson, who started sixth and rounded out the final podium position.
Russ Morseman lined up 11th on the grid and advanced to claim fourth while Brian Doolittle quietly went about his business to take home fifth.
Insinger Performance qualifying heats went to VanPelt and Lawson.
Other class winners included Kreg Crooker (Crate Sportsman), Austin Allen (RUSH Late Models), Laverne Knickerbocker (Street Stock), Dillon Phillip (Hobby Stock), Brody Amidon (Mini Stock), Cody Baker (FWD), and Levi Riley (Warriors).
The finish:
Billy VanPelt, Brayden Bills, Donnie Lawson, Russ Morseman, Brian Doolittle, Cole Youse, Cory Costa, Dayton Brewer, Joe Dgien, Kevin Chilson, Sheldon Gardner, Josh Nobriga, Brady Fultz, Mike Bills, Bob Silvernail.