By Paul Harkenrider (Woodhull, NY) | In his final season of racing under his own operation, Bryan Howland has continued to have success running with the Patriot Sprint Tour picking up his third win in 2017 at the Woodhull Raceway.
Local favorite, Steve Collins started on the pole and got out to an early advantage over second place running Howland. From the start, no one would have anything for Collins having almost a straightaway lead from the rest of the field.
The only caution would occur on lap seven when Josh Azzi would spin in the middle of turn four that would also collect the 121 of Will Glover.
Collins would lead Bryan Howland, Kyle Drum, Scott Goodrich who started 11th, and Jeff Trombley. On the next restart, Collins would once again use that clean air to pull away from Howland and Drum.
Lap traffic would not be an issue until about lap 15 where the racing started to get interesting between the two race leaders. Collins would slip by multiple lap cars in attempt to separate himself from Howland and Drum but it would not last very long.
Howland would continue to keep pace with Collins and would go wing to wing with him on lap 21. The very next lap, Collins would get behind the slower car of George Suprick which enabled Howland to get a great run on the inside and as they came out of turn four, Howland would suddenly be the new race leader on lap 23.
Kyle Drum would also find a low line that would work to his advantage taking the runner up spot from Collins. The checkered flag would fly where Bryan Howland took his second win at Woodhull this season and his third with the Patriots in 2017. Kyle Drum and Steve Collins would complete the podium, Scott Goodrich would take fourth after starting 11th and Cory Sparks would complete the top five. This was Howland’s fifth career win at Woodhull and his 31st overall with the tour.
Heat race wins would go to Steve Collins, Jeff Trombley, and Cory Sparks. The Evingham Site Excavation Four Laps of Fame Dash would go to Mike Koehler. Scott Goodrich advanced seven spots and earned himself the Casey’s Truck Salvage ‘Salvage of the Night’ award. Scott Just would take the Prestige Pool & Spa final finisher award. Mike Koehler took the Shuttleworth’s Asphalt Sealing 11th place finish bonus.
The series is off next weekend as All Star Circuit of Champions makes their lone appearance to New York State and many teams have intentions of running those events. The tour will pick right back up with return visits to Outlaw Speedway on Friday, August 4th and Stateline Speedway on Saturday, August 5th.
Fans are always encouraged to visit www.patriotsprinttour.com along with liking Patriot Sprint Tour on facebook, as well as following @PatriotSprints on Twitter and Instagram.
The Patriot Sprint Tour recognizes the following marketing partners for the 2017 season: A-Verdi Storage Containers, Hoosier Racing Tires, Prestige Pool & Spa, Einstein Construction Group, Bonnell’s Auto Group, Evingham Site Excavation, Fine Touch Collision, Mike Emhof Motorsports Inc., Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment, Patriot Tank Lines, Danny Willmes Enterprises, Casey’s Truck Salvage, Just Signs & Designs, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Sunoco Race Fuels, Insinger Performance, Shuttleworth Asphalt Sealing, ASI Racewear, Curtis Berleue Photography.
A-Verdi Storage Containers Patriot Sprint Tour Quick Results
A Main: 1) 51- BRYAN HOWLAND (3) 2) 47- Kyle Drum 3) 67- Steve Collins 4) 30 Scott Goodrich 5) 1HD- Cory Sparks 6) 22- Jonathan Preston 7) 3A- Jeff Trombley 8) 79- Jordan Thomas 9) 48jr- Darryl Ruggles 10) 35- Jared Zimbardi 11) 22r- Mike Koehler 12) 36- Steve Doell 13) 2- Steven Hutchinson Jr 14) 10LC- Kelly Hebing 15) 87- George Suprick 16) X- Dan Bennett 17) 81- Derek Jonathan 18) 17z- Josh Azzi 19) 54J- Scott Just 20) 121- Will Glover 21) 1Q- Thomas Radivoy 22) 87*- Jason Barney
Heat 1: 1) 67- Steve Collins 2) 48jr- Darryl Ruggles 3) 79- Jordan Thomas 4) 22r- Mike Koehler 5) 87- George Suprick 6) 1Q- Thomas Radivoy 7) 10LC- Kelly Hebing 8) 121- Will Glover
Heat 2: 1) 3A- Jeff Trombley 2) 47- Kyle Drum 3) 22- Jonathan Preston 4) 30- Scott Goodrich 5) 54j- Scott Just 6) 36- Steve Doell
Heat 3: 1) 1HD- Cory Sparks 2) 51- Bryan Howland 3) 35- Jared Zimbardi 4) X- Dan Bennett 5) 2- Steven Hutchinson Jr 6) 81- Derek Jonathan 7) 17z- Josh Azzi
Evingham Site Excavation Four Laps of Fame Dash: 1) 22r-Mike Koehler 2) 35- Jared Zimbardi 3) 11- Scott Goodrich 4) Scott Just 5) X- Dan Bennett 6) 87- George Suprick
Casey’s Truck Salvage ‘Salvage of the Night: 30- Scott Goodrich
Prestige Pool & Spa Final Finisher: 54j- Scott Just
Shuttleworth’s Asphalt Sealing 11th Place Bonus: 22r- Mike Koehler