RPW Exclusive: Bob Silvernail Gets First Win At Woodhull After 30 Years
Story By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – WOODHULL, NY – Since its inception, dirt racing has been built on the pure love of competition and the fun times at the race track keeps the fans, drivers, and crew members all coming back to it. This can be said for the likes of Bob Silvernail who has been competing at the third mile dirt oval in Woodhull, NY for 30 years.
The driver from Lawrenceville PA had picked up his white and green William Wood Masonry 22x during the 2017 season from Josh Nobriga. Since then, Bob has had a lot of strong runs including those of the last few weeks. However none would compare to this past Saturday for Woodhull Legends night at the track.
Silvernail started out his night by winning his qualifying heat setting himself up to start on the pole of the 25 lap Insinger Performance Modified feature event. Quickly off the start, Silvernail was able to distance himself from the rest of the field. Only when the field slowed on lap 3 where Silvernail would have to work a bit harder to defend the lead.
The Joe Dgien Trucking/Maybee Enterprises 3x of Joe Dgien threatened to take that lead away from Silvernail. In fact just after crossing the flagstand for lap 8, Dgien was able to make his way to bottom, underneath Silvernail and would have the lead off of turn 2. However this move by Dgien was made at the wrong time as the field saw its 2nd caution of the event and Silvernail would still retain the race lead.
On the restart, Silvernail was able to once again pull away from the field and held a substantial lead but Dgien never lost sight of the 22x. Dgien did get one more shot to try and get by Silvernail however would be stopped again on lap 24 for the final caution of the event. With 1 lap to go, Silvernail was able to keep the rest of the field at bay and win his first race at Woodhull. Dgien would have to settle for 2nd, Ron Cartwright Jr 3rd, Brady Fultz 4th, and Billy Van Pelt 5th.
“I just can’t believe this, its about time,” Bob Silvernail stated in Victory Lane on Saturday. “This has been 30 years in the making.We had bought this car from Josh Nobriga. I have to thank my family who helps me endlessly.”
Silvernail’s win on Saturday is a testament to the true racing families and the dedication to their local race tracks. Throughout his career, Bob Silvernail has seen good nights of racing and bad nights of racing but nothing tops them all than the night he claimed his victory.