Denny Woodworth wrapped up his first late model track title Sunday and his second overall championship. The late model lawyer also won the 1993 “A” modified crown. Assisting Woodworth in victory lane is trophy girl Hope Cernea. (Hulett Photography)

Jared Schlipman celebrates after winning his first modified track championship Sunday night in just his fourth year of full-time racing at the Bullring. Jared is the son of former late model driver Terry Schlipman. (Hulett Photography)

Mount Sterling’s Terry Houston is all smiles after clinching the stock car season points championship Sunday night, his first track title at the Bullring. Houston also won the season championship race. Offering congratulations is trophy girl Hope Cernea. (Hulett Photography)

Steve Carlin’s hobby stock championship was his fourth in eight years and ties him with Eddie Dieker for the most in series history. The Hannibal, Mo., hotshoe is also one of just seven drivers to win four or more track titles in the 36-year history of the Bullring. At the right is trophy girl Hope Cernea. (Hulett Photography)

Denny Woodworth further cemented himself among the Bullring’s all-time great late model drivers Sunday night when he put the finishing touches on his first track championship in that series.

Denny Woodworth

“This is a wonderful feeling,” Woodworth said afterward.

Woodworth had accomplished about everything in the series except winning a track championship, and now he has that in his dirt dossier. The late model lawyer’s track title also catapulted him up both the track’s all-time series and the IMCA era (since 1998) rankings. Woodworth is now ranked No. 6 all-time and No. 3 in the IMCA era.

The all-time rankings are based on all-time top-10 points finishes since 1975, with points awarded for a driver’s final placement (15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1):

Active drivers in bold face
1. Mark Burgtorf, 275 points (14 titles)
2. Terry Gallaher, 232 (4)
3. Steve Fraise, 178 (9)
4. Lonnie Bailey, 138 (2)
5. Dick Crane, 104.5 (1)
6. Denny Woodworth, 76 (1)
7. Jim Swank, 73.5 (1)
8. Sonny Findling, 70.5
9. Brent Slocum, 64 (1)
10. Tom Long, 49

Other active drivers (minimum 10 all-time points)
Jason Frankel, 43
Justin Reed, 40
Ron Elbe, 39
Joey Gower, 33
Jerry Weisenberger, 32
Jason Perry, 25
Keith Pratt, 19
Bill Genenbacher, 18
Dustin Neese, 13

The all-time IMCA era rankings are based on top-10 points finishes since 1998, with points awarded for a driver’s final placement (15-10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1):

Active drivers in bold face
1. Mark Burgtorf, 147 points (8 titles)
2. Lonnie Bailey, 88 (2)
3. Denny Woodworth, 67 (1)
4. Brent Slocum, 64 (1)
5-tie. Justin Reed, 40
5-tie. Terry Gallaher, 40
7. Jamie Wilson, 36
8. Jerry Weisenberger, 32
9. Joey Gower, 30
10. Ron Elbe, 25

Other active drivers (minimum 10 IMCA era points)
Jason Perry, 23
Keith Pratt, 19
Bill Genenbacher, 18
Jason Frankel, 15
Dustin Neese, 13
Boone McLaughlin, 10

I’ll be updating the other three weekly series in the coming days.

Late model championship note: Woodworth’s eight-point victory over Jason Perry (471-463) was the third-closest in the IMCA era, topped only by:

– Lonnie Bailey, 4 points over Brent Slocum (2004).
– Lonnie Bailey, 6 over Justin Reed (2009).

Modified championship note: Steven DeLonjay finished third in points, which means in five years as a track regular the 18-year-old freshman at John Wood Community College has two track titles, a runner-up finish and two third-place finishes in points. DeLonjay won two titles in the old hornet division (2006, 2007) and has three straight top-three finishes in the modifieds.

Stock car championship note: Terry Houston’s 12-point margin of victory in the points standings was the most in the three-year history of the class. Jeff Mueller won the 2008 crown on a tiebreaker with Chris Wibbell, with Abe Huls winning the 2009 title by five points over Kevin Tomlinson.

Hobby stock championship note: Steve Carlin’s 543 track points pushed his career total to 6,097, the first driver in the series to eclipse 6,000 points. En route to the title, Carlin won two heats races, giving him 52 career wins in that category, one more than former leader Eddie Dieker.

SHOWDOWN SUNDAY NIGHT BULLRING STARS

5 Stars: Denny Woodworth for wrapping up that first late model track championship. The journey started back in 1996 for the late model lawyer.

4 Stars: Jared Schlipman for claiming his first modified track title in just his fourth year in the series.

3 Stars: Terry Houston, who cruised to his first stock car track title in fitting fashion by winning the season championship feature.

2 Stars: Steve Carlin may have won the most anti-climatic feature of the evening. He had clinched the hobby stock crown before a lap had been run after three cars were knocked out of the lineup early in the race, but his accomplishment should not be overlooked. Carlin has won four of the last eight series titles.

1 Star: Jason Perry’s late model feature win was easily the most impressive. The rest of the 13-car field had absolutely nothing for him on this particular night. Perry finished second in points, the fourth straight season he has imprived his placement. There’s only one position left to keep that streak alive in 2011.

SHOWDOWN SUNDAY LATE MODEL RUNDOWN

Feature winner: Jason Perry (3rd).
Fast feature lap: Jason Perry, 71.666 mph.
Heat winners: Keith Pratt (2nd), Joery Gower (3rd).
Dash winner: Dustin Neese (2nd).

Final late model track  points (unofficial): Denny Woodworth 471, Jason Perry 463, Justin Reed 449, Joey Gower 436, Keith Pratt 434.

Second-half points: Denny Woodworth 203, Jason Perry 203, Joey Gower 191, Keith Pratt 191, Justin Reed 181.

Herald-Whig Performance Points: Denny Woodworth 263, Jason Perry 202, Justin Reed 202, Keithg Pratt 182, Joey Gower 140.

LATE MODEL TRACK CHAMPIONS

2010: Denny Woodworth
2009: Lonnie Bailey
2008: Jason Frankel
2007: Mark Burgtorf
2006: Mark Burgtorf
2005: Mark Burgtorf
2004: Lonnie Bailey
2003: Mark Burgtorf
2002: Brent Slocum
2001: Mark Burgtorf
2000: Mark Burgtorf
1999: Mark Burgtorf
1998: Mark Burgtorf
1997: Mark Burgtorf
1996: Mark Burgtorf
1995: Mark Burgtorf
1994: Mark Burgtorf
1993: Mark Burgtorf
1992: Mark Burgtorf
1991: Terry Gallaher
1990: Steve Fraise
1989: Steve Fraise
1988: Terry Gallaher
1987: Terry Gallaher
1986: Dick Crane
1985: Terry Gallaher
1984: Steve Fraise
1983: Steve Fraise
1982: Steve Fraise
1981: Steve Fraise
1980: Steve Fraise
1979: Steve Fraise
1978: Jim Swank
1977: No LM division
1976: Steve Fraise
1975: Larry Pipes

SHOWDOWN SUNDAY MODIFIED RUNDOWN

Feature winner: Steven DeLonjay (3rd).
Fast Feature lap: Dave Wietholder, 68.578 mph.
Heat winners: James Leffew (1st), Steven DeLonjay (6th), Shawn Deering (2nd).
Dash winner: Dave Wietholder (2nd).

Final modified track points (unofficial): Jared Schlipman 869, Michael Long 819, Steven DeLonjay 816, Dave Wietholder 786, Justin Reed 770.

Second-half points: Steven DeLonjay 383, Jared Schlipman 364, Ryan Meyer 343, Michael Long 335, Justin Reed 326.

Heald-Whig Performance Points: Michael Long 274, Jared Schlipman 243, Steven DeLonjay 218, Dave Wietholder 175, Justin Reed 156.

MODIFIED TRACK CHAMPIONS

2010: Jared Schlipman
2009: Justin Reed
2008: Michael Long
2007: Michael Long
2006: Robbie Reed

“A” Modifieds
2005: Hank DeLonjay
2004: Hank DeLonjay
2003: Hank DeLonjay
2002: Hank DeLonjay
2001: Vance Wilson
2000: Sam Burgtorf
1999: Sam Burgtorf
1998: Sam Burgtorf
1997: Hank DeLonjay
1996: Mark Van Winkle
1995: Hank DeLonjay
1994: Hank DeLonjay
1993: Denny Woodworth
1992: Hank DeLonjay
1991: Ryan Fierge
1990: Hank DeLonjay
1989: Darin Walker
1988: Hank DeLonjay

“B” Modifieds
2005: Wyatt Lantz
2004: Tony Dunker
2003: Tony Dunker
2002: Marty Hull Sr.
2001: Gary Dreyer
2000: Kelly Bartz
1999: Greg Uppinghouse
1998: Gary Dreyer
1997: Greg Uppinghouse
1996: Lonnie Carter
1995: Lonnie Carter
1994: Lowell Short
1993: Chuck Carter

SHOWDOWN SUNDAY STOCK CAR RUNDOWN

Feature winner: Terry Houston (3rd).
Heat winners: Wes Mayfield (3rd), Jerry Jansen (1st).
Fast feature lap: Terry Houston, 62.973 mph.

Final stock car track points (unofficial): Terry Houston 448, Abe Huls 436, Steve Steinkuhler 432, Jansen 424, Andrew Griffin 416.

Second-half points: Terry Houston 180, Jerry Jansen 183, Steve Steinkuhler 182, Abe Huls 176, Andrew Griffin 175.

Herald-Whig Performance Points: Terry Houston 251, Abe Huls 190, Steve Steinkuhler 180, Andrew Griffin 143, Kevin Tomlinson 139.

STOCK CAR TRACK CHAMPIONS

2010: Terry Houston
2009: Abe Huls
2008: Jeff Mueller

SHOWDOWN SUNDAY HOBBY STOCK RUNDOWN

Feature winner: Steve Carlin (2nd).
Heat winners: Justin Bartz (5th), Steve Carlin (2nd).

Final hobby stock track points (unofficial): Steve Carlin 543, Bobby Anders 530, Jim Powell 488, Jeremy Buss 483, Brian Hoener 478.

Second-half points: Steve Carlin 233, Bobby Anders 233, Jim Brown 220, Nathan Hayes 218, Jeremy Buss 215.

Herald-Whig Performance Points: Bobby Anders 239, Steve Carlin 236, Jim Powell 128, Jeremy Buss 115, Brian Hoener 107, Tanner Klingele 107.

HOBBY STOCK TRACK CHAMPIONS

2010: Steve Carlin
2009: Steve Carlin
2008: Aaron Brocksieck
2007: Todd Reichert

Bombers
2006: Steve Carlin
2005: Eddie Dieker
2004: Eddie Dieker
2003: Steve Carlin
2002: Eddie Dieker
2001: Dave Wietholder
2000: Bill Genenbacher
1999: Eddie Dieker
1998: Bill Genenbacher
1997: Jim Gillenwater
1996: Jim Gillenwater
1995: Virgil Hatfield
1994: Sam Burgtorf
1993: Bob Uppinghouse
1992: Harold Ketchum
1991: Junior Tuggle
1990: Danny Bevill
1989: Jerry Poor
1988: Mike Parsons
1987: Kenny Williams

Here are the drivers who still have a mathematical chance of winning a championship going into Sunday night’s action at the Bullring, based on average weekly car counts:

Late Models
Denny Woodworth, 430 points
Jason Perry, 421
Justin Reed, 410
Joey Gower, 397
Keith Pratt, 394
Bill Genenbacher, 392

Modifieds
Jared Schlipman, 819 points
Michael Long, 783

Stock Cars
Terry Houston, 409 points
Abe Huls, 402

Hobby Stocks
Steve Carlin, 500 points
Bobby Anders, 491

Quincy regular Joey Gower was denied the late model track title Saturday night at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, finishing two points behind Gary Russell.

Gower entered the night leading the field by one point, but a sixth-place feature finish denied him the championship. Russell finished third behind winner Tom Goble.

Other key feature winners were Scott Hogan in modifieds and Jeff Mueller in stock cars.

Here are the final points leaders:

Late Models
Gary Russell, 256 points
Joey Gower, 254
Rob Toland, 254
Tom Goble, 236
Justin Reed, 233
Keith Pratt, 232

Modifieds
Scott Hogan, 418 points
Dusty Kraklio, 380
Rich Smith, 371

Stock Cars
Jeff Mueller, 369 points
Abe Huls, 350
Brett Timmerman, 335

Here’s the updated Stevie Dirt Regional Rankings (SDRR) leaders following Friday night action at Lee County Speedway and Saturday night results from 34 Raceway:

Late Models
Denny Woodworth, 322 points
Justin Reed, 258
Keith Pratt, 231
Mark Burgtorf, 198
Jason Perry, 173
Joery Gower, 169

Modifieds
Michael Long, 450 points
Rich Smith, 348
Brandon Rothzen, 276
Josh Foster, 247
Scott Hogan, 212
Jeff Waterman, 194
Jared Schlipman, 187

Stock Cars
Jeff Mueller, 446 points
Abe Huls, 358
Jason Cook, 227
Chris Webb, 224
Terry Houston, 211

Not only are the points titles on the line Sunday night, so is the checkbook championship. Here’s alook at the top dollar dawgs in points races this season:

MONEY LEADERS (points races only)

Late Models
Denny Woodworth, $5,380
Jason Perry, $4,705
Justin Reed, $4,665
Keith Pratt, $4,310
Joey Gower, $3,710
Bill Genenbacher, $3,585

Modifieds
Michael Long, $4,735
Jared Schlipman, $4,265
Steven DeLonjay, $3,585
Dave Wietholder, $3,290
Tony Dunker, $2,820

Stock Cars
Terry Houston, $2,420
Abe Huls, $2,350
Steve Steinkuhler, $2,080
Andrew Griffin, $1,720
Jerry Jansen, $1,705

Hobby Stocks
Bobby Anders, $1,195
Steve Carlin, $1,045
Jeremy Buss, $875
Tanner Klingele, $875
Jim Powell, $845

It doesn’t always work out like this, but the season points leaders in three of the four weekly series at the Bullring also lead the second-half points standings. That shows this year’s leaders have been consistent throughout the season.

Here are the points leaders since the midseason championship races:

Late Models
Denny Woodworth, 162 points (also season points leader)
Jason Perry, 161
Joey Gower, 152
Keith Pratt, 151
Justin Reed, 142

Modifieds
Jared Schlipman, 314 points (also season points leader)
Steven DeLonjay, 308
Michael Long, 299
Ryan Meyer, 287
Shawn Deering, 277

Stock Cars
Terry Houston, 149 (also season points leader)
Jerry Jansen, 146
Steve Steinkuhler, 144
Aaron Brocksieck, 142
Abe Huls, 142
Andrew Griffin, 142

Hobby Stocks
Bobby Anders, 194 points
Steve Carlin, 190 (season points leader)
Jim Brown, 187
Nathan Hayes, 180
Jeremy Buss, 179
Justin Bartz, 170
Jim Powell, 169
Adam Scott, 169
Brian Hoener, 168