WOODHULL, NY – By: Kenny Shupp Jr – Erick Rudolph has a brilliant career in every form of Motorsports that he has attempted in his career.
However, the Woodhull Raceway has been a challenge for the third generation, Ransomville, NY speedster as he has been kept out of victory lane in all his previous attempts.
“I think the first couple times I ever came here I did not even qualify. Just could not figure this place out. But, last year in this event I finished second and backed that up with a win here tonight.” That according to a jubilant Rudolph in victory lane.
For Rudolph his $5,500 win in the 55 lap Honoring Alice Event puts his name into the books alongside Bily VanPelt and Ajay Potrzebowski Sr. who won the first two events named in memory of Woodhull’s Firs Lady, Alice Williams who alongside of her late husband, Jim promoted the Woodhull Raceway prior to selling it after the first 33 years of the track existence.
Rudolph’s victory was no walk in the park as he went toe to toe with last week’s feature winner, Dayton Brewer for the first half of the 55-lap feature grind.
Brewer led the opening sixteen laps after pulling the pole position pill as he and outside row one starter, Ron Cartwright Jr. brought the field to green.
Rudolph lined up fifth on the opening grid and very methodically worked his way to the front and by lap ten was up to second and charging.
The first of eight caution flags would fly on lap fifteen followed by a second caution on the same lap and on the ensuing restart, Dayton Brewer could continue to set a blistering pace, but Erick Rudolph was poised and took over the top spot on lap sixteen.
The lead duo would swap the lead back and forth numerous times over the next several circuits before Rudolph would gain control and from there stretch his advantage.
The countless cautions flag slowdowns, 8 total would keep not just Brewer, but Jeff Daugherty, Danny Johnson and Ajay Potrzebowski all within eyesight of the race leader and well within striking distance.
However, on every restart, Run, Run Rudolph was too much to manage as he ran away and hid from his fellow competitors.
As attrition was taking its toll lap cars were hardly a problem from the lead group and for Rudolph it was just a matter of hitting his marks as he cruised to a half straight away win over Brewer and Daugherty would complete the podium.
Wally Wade of Canisteo, NY had his best run in a Modified came home for fourth at the finish as he was chased across the line by Russ Morseman who came from the rear on at least two separate occasions to round the top five.
For the Woodhull faithful it was a sweep of positions two through five.
WOODHULL RACEWAY HONORING ALICE EVENT. 08/06/2024.
B H Log Hauling Night.
INSINGER PERFORMANCE MODIFEDS. (25 cars) 55 lap feature.
Heats. Dayton Brewer, Erick Rudolph, Ajay Potrzebowski, Ron Cartwright Jr.
1)ERICK RUDOLPH, 2) Dayton Brewer, 3) Jeff Daugherty, 4) Wally Wade, 5) Russ Morseman,6) Ajay Potrzebowski, 7) Russ Morseman IV, 8) Danny Johnson, 9_Chris Ostrowsky. DNF, 10) Adam Coots, 11) Steve Coots,12) Brady Fultz,13) Jake Dgien, 14) Aiden Grover,15) Stacy Jackson, 16) Donnie Lawson,17) Ron Cartwright Jr.,18) Carter Crooker,19) Kaiden Dgien, 20) Dan Creeden, 21) Justin Wright,22) Tyler Siri, 23) Alan Komar,24) Brian Doolittle, 25) Josh Keesey.
WOOLDHULL RACEWAY SHORTS.
In the Modified Division, several invaders made their way to Woodhull for the Honoring Alice Event.
Danny Creeden, Ron Cartwright Jr., Tyler Siri, Danny Johnson, Erick Rudolph, Justin Wright and Alan Komoar. Other than Rudolph none had good finishes.