RICKY JOHNSON GETS CAREER FIRST IN OPENER - April 19
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE (04/19/03) - Hometown driver, Ricky Johnson of Delmar demonstrated great promise in the 2002 season when his finished second in the point standings at Delaware International without winning a single feature event. That all changed on Saturday night when took the lead with three laps left in the 25-lap Big Block Modified feature and drove to his first career win in front of a cheering crowd. In the companion 15-lap Modified Lite feature, Erik McKinney of Dover, Del. took the point with four laps to go an drove to the win.
The Modifieds started heads up from their heat race finishes with Cliff Foskey on the pole and Norman Short and Doug Rose in the second row. Foskey set a quick early pace as Rose and Bishop battled for second. Bobby Watkins slowed on the second lap bringing out the yellow. Under the caution, both Craig Mullins and Norman Short headed to the pits with flat tires after a wheel-banging incident why they were battling for fourth. Both would return at the rear of the field.
Back under the green Bishop grabbed second but lost the spot back to Rose one lap later. Robert Dutton moved to fourth with Ricky Johnson getting by Gary Simpson for fifth. By lap eight, Johnson, who had started in 13th got by Dutton for fourth. At the halfway sign the top five were Foskey, Rose, Bishop, Johnson, and Dutton. The caution was out at this point as Nick Anderson came to a stop.
On the restart, Foskey drifted high almost collecting the charging Bishop. Rose took advantage of the near tangle to shoot low into the lead. Bishop had to get out of the throttle and dropped to eighth. Johnson was now running in the third spot with Simpson and Deron Rust in the top five. With ten to go, rookie Beau Wilkins got by Rust for fifth.
The final yellow was out on lap 17 when Mike Covey got into the back of the slowing car of Robert Dutton and damaged the front suspension. On the restart, Johnson moved into second behind Rose with Simpson following into third. Johnson closed the gap with five to go and started to challenge the leader in the low groove. Johnson edged on to with three to go and pulled away to a three-car length win at the checkered.
"I would just like to thank my family and crew for sticking with me," said an elated Johnson. "I want to dedicate this race to my Uncle Mike Gravenor. Mike had been a member of the "Slow but Sexy" Racing Team for many years before passing away last season. It was the first night out for the new Johnson's OK Used Cars/Gene's Auto Body/Teo.
Rose finished a well-deserved second with Gary Simpson third in his new Teo. Foskey finished in the fourth spot with Wilkins posting an impressive fifth. Sixth through tenth were Mullins, Bishop, Rust, Ted Taylor, and Tim Millman. Foskey and Short won the heats.
Bobby Walls appeared to be in control of the 15-lap Modified Lite feature by dominating the first eight laps. At the halfway sign he was followed by Mike Vammino, Erik McKinney, Jon Callaway, and Tom Curtis in the top five. The caution was out at this point when John Curtis spun to a stop in the first turn.
On the restart, Walls' car did not immediately come up to speed and Vammino moved on top. Two laps later, McKinney took the point while Callaway worked by Tom Curtis for third. Walls was back up to speed and took fourth. Vammino got high allowing Callaway to take second but Walls charged by to take the spot on the final lap.
Time ran out with McKinney, in the DRG/Taylor & Messick/Pro Fabrication Honda taking the win. Walls finished in the second spot followed by Callaway, Vammino, and Tom Curtis in the top five. Sixth through tenth were Landis Musser, Herb Tunis, Glen Richards, John Curtis, and George Richardson.
This Saturday night will be the William J. Cathell Memorial. It will be the first appearance of the season for the United Racing Club Sprint Cars along with the four weekly divisions. Gates open at 4:30 with hot laps at 7 p.m.
RESULTS: 25-Lap Modified Feature: 1. RICKY JOHNSON; 2. Doug Rose; 3. Gary Simpson; 4. Cliff Foskey; 5. Beau Wilkins; 6. Craig Mullins; 7. Rick Bishop; 8. Deron Rust; 9. Ted Taylor; 10. Tim Millman; 11. Norman Short; 12. Glen Reed; 13. Adam Jarrell; 14. H.J. Bunting; 15. Judd Mills; 16. Dana Walker; 17. Nick Anderson; 18. Robert Dutton; 19. Mike Covey; 20. Doug Beach; 21. Bobby Watkins.
15-Lap Modified Lite Feature: 1. ERIK MCKINNEY; 2. Bobby Walls, III; 3. Jon Callaway; 4. Mike Vammino; 5. Tom Curtis; 6. Landis Musser; 7. Herb Tunis; 8. Glen Richards; 9. John Curtis; 10. George Richardson; 11. Dale Hawkins; 12. Mike Stratton; 13. Mike Hovatter; DNS: Joe Warren.