JOHNSON GETS 3RD WIN IN MODIFIEDS - 09/20/03
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE (9/20/03) - Hometown driver, Ricky Johnson battled to the finish to claim his third Big Block Modified win in Saturday night's Dodge Dealers of Delmarva 25-lap feature at the Delaware International Speedway. Johnson took the lead just pas the halfway point but lost it briefly. He regained the lead and held off a determined Tim Millman and H.J. Bunting for the victory.
Three cautions, one involving pole sitter Deron Rust, came out before the first lap was completed. Other drivers involved in the yellows included Glenn Richards, Larry Crouse, Bunting, and Beau Wilkins. Cliff Foskey took command on lap one with Millman running in second. Johnson pulled into the second spot on lap four just as the yellow was out for Bobby Watkins who flipped in the first turn. Nick Sapp of Milford, Del. posted his second straight win driving his new Modified Lite.
On the restart it was Foskey, Johnson, and Craig Mullins in the top three. Cautions would keep the field tightly grouped and at the halfway sign the top three remained the same with Millman fourth and Rick Bishop in fifth.
Foskey slowed with a flat tire and Johnson inherited the lead. Mullins was still challenging in second and nosed out front for lap 17. His lead was short lived as he too had a tire go down. Now it was Millman's turn to challenge the leader and Tim pulled even with two to go.
Johnson held off the challenge and took the victory in the Johnson's OK Used Cars/Genes Auto Body/Teo. Bunting got by Millman for second on the final lap with Bishop and Sparky White rounding out the top five. Bunting and Johnson won the heats.
Mike Vammino was the early leader in the 15-lap Modified Lite feature. Danny Martin held second until Landis Musser claimed the spot on lap three. Mike Stratton mounted a charge and pulled into second on lap six but on the next lap Musser came to a stop on the front straight with a broken suspension and Vammino pulled into the infield. At the halfway mark the top five were Stratton, Sapp, Martin, Jon Callaway, and Tom Curtis.
Sapp powered into the lead on the next lap and made no mistakes with his new Pro Chassis/Kawasaki as he recorded his second win. Stratton, Callaway, Martin, and Tom Curtis completed the top five.
This Saturday night there will be no racing at Delaware International. Racing returns on Saturday night, October 4th with the United Racing Club Sprints, Big Block Modifieds, Late Models, Street Modifieds, Modified Lites, and the Slide for 5. It will be the final point event for the four weekly divisions. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m.
RESULTS: 25-Lap Modifieid Feature: 1. RICKY JOHNSON; 2. H.J. Bunting; 3. Tim Millman; 4. Rick Bishop; 5. Sparky White; 6. Gary Simpson; 7. Glenn Reed; 8. Duane Rust; 9. Craig Ott; 10. Craig Mullin; 11. Beau Wilkins; 12 Deron Rust; 13. Scott Smith; 14. Larry Crouse; 15. Glenn Richards; 16.Cliff Foskey; 17. Dana Walker; 18. Norman Short; 19. Scott Hulmes; 20. Bobby Watkins; 21. Robert Dutton.
15-Lap Modified Lite Feature: 1. NICK SAPP; 2. Mike Stratton; 3. Jon Callaway; 4. Danny Martin; 5. Tom Curtis; 6. George Richardson; 7. Porkchop Davis; 8. Herb Tunis; 9. John Curtis; 10 Nick Hendricks, 11. Mike Vammino; 12. Joe Warren; 13. Landis Musser; 14. Bobby Walls; 15. Andy Hammond.