Story By: KENNY SHUPP / WOODHULL RACEWAY – WOODHULL, NY – Jim Williams was a unique track promoter who never wavered. After having helped build the historic Woodhull Raceway along with his brother, Bob and legendary father, George Williams, Jim and his wife Alice took the reins of the popular Steuben County oval in the late 1960’s and helped grow the facility until its sale in 1998.
Jim Williams ruled the track with a straight- forward attitude. He was a fair and consistent man and the racers knew just what to expect from him and where everybody stood. Williams will once again be honored with the traditional running of the Jim Williams Memorial including one of the region’s largest fireworks programs.
According to current Woodhull Raceway owners, Terry and Niki Brewer, “Jim always loved fireworks. He always had fireworks shows around July 4 at the track and we are proud to continue this tradition.”
Historically the facility has their biggest show of the season prior to any other July 4 events around the area. Every year the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Woodhull Raceway gets bigger and better as a massive crowd will be on hand to enjoy both the action on the track as well as the colors in the sky.
“When you get close to July 4 there are numerous other fireworks shows within a twenty-five-mile radius. Many years ago, other promoters at this facility had fireworks programs in late June so there would be no conflicts with other shows in the area. We will continue that tradition on Saturday, June 24, 2023.” That once again according to the Brewer’s.
On the card of events for the night it will be a Great 8 Show featuring all the weekly classes that run at Woodhull including the headline Insinger Performance Modifieds as they will be supported by the NAPA 602 Crate Sportsman, the Doug Gross Construction RUSH Crate Late Models and the Southern Tier Customs Street Stocks.
Also, seeing action is the KMD Excavation Hobby Stocks as well as the Big Jim’s Wicked Tee’s sponsored Mini Stocks, FWD and Youth Warriors.
Should the June 24, 2023 event get lost to weather a make-up date will be announced at a later time.
A trio of sponsors will join forces to market the Jim Williams Memorial including Schweigart’s Sugar Shack in Woodhull where they specialize in the manufacturing of maple syrup and maple products. In addition, Schweigart’s is also a dealer of equipment used in the manufacturing of maple syrup.
Company owner, George Schweigart can also be seen in action every race night at Woodhull in the competitive NAPA Crate Sportsman Division.
Like Schweigart’s, Louie’s Gun Shop, West Morris Street in Bath has been a long- time sponsor of Woodhull as well as several machines that run at the track. Louie’s Gun Shop is this region’s largest supplier of new and used firearms, ammunition, fishing gear and bait along with hunting and fishing licenses. Offering over four hundred long guns and hand-guns, Louie’s has the experience and expertise to help you make the correct choice on your next firearm. They also can consult you on the ever- changing laws and their web site can help advise you on any upcoming training courses or seminars.
TP’s Concrete and Contracting of Hornell, NY is a new sponsor to Woodhull and their timing could not be better as the Jim Williams Fireworks Extravaganza and Great 8 Show is the best attended night of the season making marking exposure a premium. TP’s Concrete and Contracting is one of this area’s most diversified concrete companies handling everything from flat work, hew home basements, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks, cellar and garage floors, along with landings around inground swimming pools. For more information or a price quote contact TP’s Concrete and Contracting at 607-382-7785 or like them on Facebook. TP’s is located at 6357 Honey Run Road in Hornell, NY.
Pit gates for the June 24 event will open at 3:30 pm with the main grandstand seating area following an hour later at 4:30 pm.