Jake Dgien Tops List Of Winners On Night One Of Bullring Challenge At Woodhull

Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – WOODHULL, NY – A cool evening brought some showers to the area around the Southern Tier facility of the Woodhull Raceway but that did not give up the hopes of racers heading to the bullring. Owners Ted and Brandi White decided to carry on with the schedule for Night 1 of the Costy’s Energy Services Bullring Challenge.

Over 50 cars packed the pit area for one of the speedways final events of the season. First on the schedule, the Crate Late Models took the speedway as Kurt Stebbins led all the laps to take the heat race victory. Later on, Steve LeBarron would bring home the win in a dominating fashion. LeBarron led all the laps and lapped up to the 3rd place car. Kurt Stebbins made one attempt at the lead with a late race caution. With two laps to go, LeBarron would gain enough momentum to get the win over Kurt Stebbins, and Darrin Horton.

Second on the schedule, the Open Street Stocks took the track. Fourteen cars fielded the class with Glenn Whritenour and Dylan Cecce taking the qualifying heat race wins. Dylan Cecce would carry his heat race win into the feature as he would dominate the event. Leading by well over a half a track, Cecce would carry the feature event from lap 2 to the checkered flag. Tracy Dunn had a strong run to try and gain momentum on Cecce but a flat right rear would end his race with 6 laps to go. Balmer would inherit and finish second, Gardner third, Marlatt fourth, and Stebbins fifth.

The Crate Sportsman took the next stage on the schedule as the winner would be a guaranteed starter for the Grit Racing Series on Saturday for Night 2 of the Bullring Challenge. Tim Guild, Steve Hartman III, AJ Potrzebowski, and Chris Fisher claimed the eight lap qualifying heats. In their feature event, AJ Potrzebowski would lead the field in his tribute scheme for Ted Christopher. Potrzebowski would lead up until a lap 8 bobble in turn 4 which allowed Jake Dgien to slide by for the lead right before one of the yellow flags had flown.

While Potrzebowski had many strong runs as the laps clicked on, Dgien was able to hold on and claim the victory.

“He (Potrzebowski) had a fast car,” said Jake Dgien in victory lane. “I don’t think I would’ve passed him if he didn’t mess up in turn 4.”

Potrzebowski would have to settle for second, Brett Buono finishes in a strong third place, Brandon Butler fourth, and Dale Welty rounded out the top five.

Shawn Gleason would dominate the open front wheel drives. After starting third, Gleason waited for a mistake from the leader Ryan Austin. On lap two his opportunity would arise, Austin nearly went over the berm and Gleason would pass him on the inside to gain the lead. Gleason would then go on to win over Austin, Rich Wagner Jr, and Josh Stebbins.

A trip made from the Hill Speedway would be unforgettable for Tim Bush. Bush gained the lead early in the Mini Stock feature event but the win would not come easy. Making his way around lap traffic, Bush had slight contact with one lap car which would nearly cost him the lead. However a caution with four laps to go would bunch the field together once again. Karl Born made a run to the inside of Bush but Bush nearly lost the handle of his car and Born had checked up to not make contact. Bush regained the lead and won the feature over a hard charging Rick Amidon, Scott Lehman finished 3rd, Karl Born finished 4th, and Derrick Puryear rounded out the top 5.

Saturday night (September 30, 2017) will resume the Costy’s Bullring Challenge on night 2 with 3,000 to win Big Block/Small Block Modifieds, Grit Racing Series, Open Street Stocks, Open Mini Stocks, and Open Front Wheel Drives.

For More Information, go to www.woodhullraceway.com or Woodhull Raceway on Facebook.

Woodhull Raceway – Night 1 of Costy’s Energy Services Bullring Challenge – September 29, 2017

Crate Late Models (6 cars)
Heat- Kurt Stebbins, Steve LeBarron, Jason McGregor, Darrin Horton, Jamie Freeman, Brad Smith (DNS)
Feature (25 laps): Steve LeBarron, Kurt Stebbins, Darrin Horton, Jamie Freeman, Jason McGregor, Brad Smith

Street Stocks (14 cars)
Heat 1- Glenn Whritenour, Gene Balmer, Dan Gardner, Dave Matwiejow, Roland Duell, Jeredd Dennis (DNS), Brett Crawford (DNS)
Heat 2- Dylan Cecce, Kurt Stebbins, Teddy Morseman, Tracy Dunn, Brett Marlatt, Mick Seeley, Jared Hill
Feature (20 laps): Dylan Cecce, Gene Balmer, Dan Gardner, Brett Marlatt, Kurt Stebbins, Jared Hill, Mick Seeley, Dave Matwiejow, Tracy Dunn, Glenn Whritenour, Jeredd Dennis, Teddy Morseman, Brett Crawford, Roland Duell

Crate Sportsman (25 cars)
Heat 1- Tim Guild, Brett Buono, Bobby Peoples, Brandon Butler, Dalton Martin, AJ Costley
Heat 2- Steve Hartman III, Donnie Lawson, Ray Bliss Jr, Stacey Jackson, Jordan Bacon, John Austin
Heat 3- AJ Potrzebowski, Mike Buchanan, Kirk Reynolds, Adam Taft, Dave Dubois, Blake Lawson
Heat 4- Chris Fisher, Dale Welty, Jake Dgien, Bryce Martin, Mike Denning, Cole Youse
Feature (25 laps): JAKE DGIEN, Aj Potrzebowski, Brett Buono, Brandon Butler, Dale Welty, Bobby Peoples, Stacey Jackson, Tim Guild, Ray Bliss, Chris Fisher, Jordan Bacon, Dalton Martin, Dave Dubois, Donnie Lawson, Blake Lawson, Adam Taft, John Austin, Cole Youse, Mike Denning, Kirk Reynolds, Steve Hartman III, Bryce Martin, Mike Buchanan, AJ Costley

Lap Leaders: Potrzebowski 1-8, Jake Dgien 9-25

Open Front Wheel Drives (4 cars)
Heat- Shawn Gleason, Ryan Austin, Rich Wagner Jr, Josh Stebbins
Feature (15 laps): SHAWN GLEASON, Ryan Austin, Rich Wagner Jr, Josh Stebbins

Open Mini Stocks (11 cars)
Heat 1- Tim Bush, Karl Born, Rick Amidon, Wayne Shillinburg, Danielle Thomas, ShiAnn LaBar
Heat 2- Noah Talada, Dakohta Button, Derrick Puryear, Kendra Stebbins (DNS), Scott Lehman (DNS)
Feature (20 laps): Tim Bush, Rick Amidon, Scott Lehman, Karl Born, Derrick Puryear, Dakohta Button, Danielle Morseman, Kendra Stebbins, ShiAnn Labar, Noah Talada, Wayne Shillingburg