Story By: KENNY SHUPP / WOODHULL RACEWAY – WOODHULL, NY – Fourth year Woodhull Raceway owners, Terry and Niki Brewer wrapped up the 2023 season with the tracks Annual Awards Ceremonies.
Yes, you read correctly with a pair of banquets to reward all the classes top point finishers for their efforts, the Brewer’s opted to present the traditional affair at their family-owned business, The Nikk L Brew Restaurant in downtown Canisteo, NY.
Due to scheduling conflicts in October the track had to forgo the original date for the banquet which was to be held right at the track.
“Since we have owned the facility, we have always held the banquet in late September or early October at the track. We had a huge tent set up and it worked out very well with plenty of parking, restrooms and kitchen facilities. The weather was perfect for the previous three events, but there were a few conflicts this year which put many of our drivers in a position of either skipping the banquet and racing elsewhere at a season ending special event or not racing and coming to the banquet. We decided rather than putting the drivers and teams in a bind we would just hold off and do a re-set.”
The Nikk L Brew was a logical option with a central location and all the amenities. The only catch was seating capacity was limited, consequently the Brewers went to Plan B which was to split the banquet into two separate events.
Saturday, December 9, 2023, was the first date featuring the Insinger Performance Modifieds, the NAPA 602 Crate Sportsman as well as the Doug Gross Construction RUSH Crate Late Model top ten drivers receiving their trophies, plaques and point fund money.
The following Saturday, December 16, 2023, found the remaining five weekly divisions taking center stage as the top competitors in the Southern Tier Customs Street Stocks, the KMD Excavation Hobby Stocks along with the Big Jim’s Wicked Tee’s Mini Stock, FWD and Youth Warrior Classes all receiving their accolades.
On both occasions, drivers, crew members, car owners, track personnel and sponsors were treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner professionally catered by the Brewer’s staff of the Nikk L Brew prior to the awards presentations.
All trophies and plaques were professionally handcrafted by Southern Tier Customs of Woodhull and both Terry Pierce and Becky Stewart of STC were present to share in both festivities.
At the completion of dinner track announcer, Joe Cook then took to the podium and presented awards to all the top finishers in each division, Rookie of the Year honors where applicable, along with a slew of other special awards going to several worthy recipients.
The track ownership and management team were very pleased with the 2023 season with a focus on the local eight weekly divisions with numerous high dollar special events promoting the drivers and race teams that support the track week in and week out. The ESS 360 Sprints made a lone appearance at Woodhull in addition to the CRSA 305 Sprints. Both high profile touring divisions.
“We have always tried to reward our track regulars with high paying special events during the season. The teams that come here every week and compete are the whole reason this place is successful. Without the drivers and fans, the track no longer exists so we want to make it a great experience for the folks that support Woodhull.”
Plans are in the works for the 2024 Woodhull Raceway Schedule of Events which will see a return of the weekly Great 8 Show featuring all the regular classes in addition to numerous special events and touring groups. The entire schedule should be released in early 2024 with tentative plans calling for the Annual Arnot Mall Car Show sometime in the Spring.
TOP POINT FINISHERS IN EACH DIVISION.
Insinger Performance Modifieds. TRACK CHAMPION, Ajay Potrzebowski Jr., Joe Dgien, Russ Morseman III, Donnie Lawson, Brian Doolittle, Dayton Brewer, Jake Dgien, Brady Fultz, Steve Coots, Eric Grice.
Sportsmanship Award. Steve Coots.
NAPA Sportsman. TRACK CHAMPION, Kenny Peoples Jr., Blake Lawson, Connor Brown, Tim Guild, Isabel Barron, Cayden Lawson, George Schweigart Jr., Stacy Jackson, Quintin Buchanan, Kyle Leach.
Rookie of the Year. George Schweigart Jr. Sportsmanship Award, Kyle Leach
Doug Gross Construction RUSH Crate Late Models. TRACK CHAMPION, Austin Allen, Brett Marlatt, Steve LeBarron, Brian Knowles, Jason Knowles, Joe Layfield, Rickie Loucks, Aaron Miller, Marshall O’Brian, Noah Talada.
Rookie of the Year. Marshall O’Brian. Sportsmanship Award, Joe Layfield.
Southern Tier Customs Street Stocks. TRACK CHAMPION, Teddy Morseman Jr., Mick Seeley,
Brett Crawford, Travis Webster Sr., Willy Easling, Jim Buck, Mike Williams, Luke Boom, Glenn Whritenour, Jesse Tuthill.
Sportsmanship Award, Travis Webster Sr.
KMD Excavation Hobby Stocks. TRACK CHAMPION, Kaiden Dgien, Tracy Dunn, Jeredd Dennis, Scott Brown, Meadow Dgien, Bradon Conklin, Bradly Morseman, Paul Dgien, Brian Austin, Dale Houghtaling.
Rookie of the Year. Bradly Morseman. Sportsmanship Award, Brian Austin.
Big Jim’s Wicked Tee’s Mini Stocks. TRACK CHAMPION, John Hand Jr., Danielle Thomas, Ryan Stone, Ray Hyer, Jaden Stone, Jason Warner, Craig Decamp, Joahua Stone, Travis Southard, Chris Woodard.
Rookie of the Year. Jaden Stone. Sportsmanship Award, Craig Decamp.
Big Jim’s Wicked Tee’s FWD. TRACK CHAMPION, Wesley Houghtaling, Andrew Thomas, Nate Freeland, Tyler Houghtaling, Don Williams, Joshua Stone, Jacob Tubbs, Ridge Cobb, Codie Baker, Matthew Stone.
Rookie of the Year. Andrew Thomas. Sportsmanship Award, Wesley Houghtaling
Big Jim’s Wicked Tee’s Warriors. TRACK CHAMPION, Russ Morseman IV, Kayleigh Morseman, Courtney Thomas, Alicia Sullivan, Des-A-Rae Miles, Jacob Stone, Izzabella Morseman, Markus Kerr, Brayden Feenaughty, Nolan Baker.
Special Awards.
Dedication to Motorsports. Joe Cook, Track Announcer
Media Award. Becky Stewart, Track Photographer
Perseverance. Brian Grant Sr, Driver and Track Employee for 50 years.