6/14/2014 - Eric Woolworth takes the 1st two features of 2014 in the Raven Tavern #88!
SATURDAY, JUNE 14TH, 2014, OSWEGO, NY - Another tremendous race with a lot of passing, wheel-to-wheel racing and a few surprises! One of which was 3rd year vet Eric Woolworth starting handicapped in the rear to pass the entire field - including winningest area karter Matt Stevens, defending track Champ Chris Stevens, and defending Klassic champ Kelly Miller - and surviving a few accidents around him in the process to win his 2nd straight feature win, the very 1st two of 2014. To say Eric has been impressive this young season would be an understatement, blistering the track all the first two weekends thus far with one powerful motor. And a kart that he bought for $110. Stories like that don't happen at pay Kiddie Kartway facilities where you have to drop a few grand for cookie-cutter karts to compete for wins, folks. Sorry. That's why we do it the way we do it and have been doing it that way for two decades. Driving decides the way at the end of the day here. Read on!
HEAT / RETCON RACE:
RETCON MAKE-UP RACE CREDITS
- Kevin Galletta (Platt-num/Galletta #28) - 1st in 6/14/2014 makeup heat race = 9th in 6/7/2014 40-lapper
- David Turner (Platt-num/Turner #43) - 2nd in 6/14/2014 makeup heat race = 10th in 6/7/2014 40-lapper
- * Clifford Crowe (Galletta's #1) - 3rd in 6/14/2014 makeup heat race = 11th in 6/7/2014 40-lapper
- * Alex Bennett (Galletta's #2) - 4th in 6/14/2014 makeup heat race = 12th in 6/7/2014 40-lapper* = Cashed in if race 2nd time in 2014. Otherwise, they expire.
45-LAP FEATURE EVENT (2014 Feature #2)
Originally planned to be a twin-35 night, but events that followed changed the evening to a singe feature.
Starting lineup:
1. Melissa Stevens (Scissors n Fur #19)
2. Kevin Galletta (Platt-num/Galletta #28)
3. Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
4. Kelly Miller (Galletta's Greenhouse #7)
5. Matt Stevens (Galletta's Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/R&C Sushi Bar #74)
6. Chris Stevens (Galletta's Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/R&C Sushi Bar #8)
7. Eric Woolworth (The Raven Tavern #88)
8. David Turner (Platt-num/Turner #43)
9. Clifford Crowe (Galletta's Greenhouse #1)
10. Alex Bennett (Galletta's Greenhouse #2)
Opening lap saw Adam Lytle attempt to get under Kevin Galletta, but Kelly Miller took advantage and scooted outside of him...
...the result was Miller and Lytle side-by-side and come together in turn 1 for a hard and startling crash, resulting in a small pileup with Lytle bouncing off the #7 and collecting Chris Stevens in between turns 1 and 2. Miller decided to keep his spot because he kept going and didn't come to a stop, which is allowed, although in the past years (1996-2005) it was anybody who made significant contact in a wreck went to the back, although the rule was altered due to many complaints of, "It wasn't my fault! I didn't purposefully wreck anybody!", as heard from many drivers in the past. [NOTE: Upon further review of the video - which was compromised this week due to one of our camerapersons unable to record due to being both pregnant and tired from work - Kelly's choice stands, although all others involved went to the back. However, when we review the videos, we can retroactively penalize drivers points if they are found guilt of wrecking someone (or other violations like passing during caution). Kelly was not docked any points for keeping his spot after the wreck.]
Melissa Stevens led the first 27 laps with her husband Matt in 2nd (inset) until Eric Woolworth passed wife-and-husband together in the back stretch and clearing them BOTH in turn 3! A stunner! Matt then moved into 2nd a few laps later.
Matt saw what Chris meant the week before. The #88 is a rocket. Not too often when Matt sees someone crawl away from him. Usually, if he's not on the lead, he's right with whoever's in front of him and working him over if he can. Not today. The #88 has been the fastest kart since mid-2013 with a skilled driver at the wheel.
Final Order of Finish:
1. Eric Woolworth (The Raven Tavern #88)
2. Matt Stevens (Galletta's Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/R&C Sushi Bar #74)
3. Melissa Stevens (Scissors n Fur #19)
4. Chris Stevens (Galletta's Greenhouse/Chrusher.com/R&C Sushi Bar #8)
5. David Turner (Platt-num/Turner #43)
6. Alex Bennett (Galletta's Greenhouse #9)
7. DNF - Adam Lytle (Lytle #33c)
8. DNF - Kevin Galletta (Platt-num/Galletta #28)
9. DNF - Kelly Miller (Galletta's Greenhouse #7)
10. DNF - Clifford Crowe (Galletta's Greenhouse #1)
Retcon-Makeup Race Bonus Points
11. Brian Galletta (Platt-num/Galletta #28) - 1st in 7/12/2014 makeup heat race = earned 11th in 6/14/2014 40-lapper
12. Keith Raymond (Galletta's Greenhouse #1) - 2nd in 7/12/2014 makeup heat race = earned 12th in 6/14/2014 40-Lapper
DNF = Did Not Finish
NOTES: Originally scheduled for twin 35-lappers. However - as what always seems to happen on these full moon night races - after the race's completion, a few drivers were upset with mechanical problems (a few karts stalled and sputtered - and the #7 even ran out of gas! Everyone forgot to check to see if it was topped off!). Therefore, instead of two 35-lappers, the drivers almost unanimously voted to end the night after we only ran one, which point-wise and event-wise is not as much as we usually run (45-70 laps any given race night, and 200- in our Klassic... this isn't a pay track with a dozen or so classes, we just have one and can therefore run more laps with more karts in said class). But the night was still salvaged, as upon counting the laps in the race video, multiple cautions at the start of the feature pushed the show a little longer than anybody wanted, but at least can be scored. Thusly, we scored the caution laps (35 + 10 = 45) and therefore counting the race as a 45-lapper instead of a 35-lapper. The results...







David Turner
(Plattnum-Turner #43) ®
Alex Bennett
(Galletta's #9, 2) ®
Cliff Crowe
(Galletta's #1) ®
Matthew Daniels
(Galletta's #1)

