ALAN JOHNSON TAKES CONVINCING THUNDER ALLEY WIN
EVANS MILLS, NY....."A.J. Slideways" Alan Johnson had a fast race car and promptly parked it in Victory Lane Thursday night in the 30-lap DIRT Modified feature at Caprara's Thunder Alley Speedpark. Lance Willix scored the hat trick, taking his third DIRT Sportsman win, while Sean Lias returned to Victory Lane in the IMCA Modifieds. Other winners on the night included Dave Mannise in the Pure Stocks, Bob Garafolo in the Dwarf cars, and Taylor Caprara in the Junior Modified Lites.
Johnson grabbed the lead from the pole position in the 30-lap DIRT Modified feature while Vic Coffey battled in the top five in the early going with Ryan Bartlett and Bob McCreadie. Frank Caprara also found himself battling for a top five position.
Coffey spun in turn two to bring out a yellow, but he was able to work his way back through the field during a long green flag stretch in the middle portion of the event. Nobody could touch "A.J. Slideways" as he copped the win over a strong Bartlett, who held off McCreadie for the runnerup spot. Caprara took fourth with Dale Planck coming through the field for the fifth spot.
Lance Willix's third trip to the winner's circle in the 20-lap DIRT Sportsman feature was not an easy one, as he battled heavy lapped traffic during the race, constantly pressured by Jessica Zemken. A crash by Shawn Donath on the backstretch bunched the field and cleared the traffic, but Willix was not to be denied as he scored his third triumph of the season. Zemken was close behind in second, followed by Matt Bulter, Kyle Dingwall, and Scott Parliament.
The 20-lap IMCA Modified feature saw George Catazano hold the early lead, only to lose it to Sean Lias after a torrid battle. Catazano then spun out of the second position while Dale Caswell was moving up. Caswell hounded Lias the remainder of the race, getting close to the lead, but not having enough to muscle by Lias. Neal Edgar took third, followed by Chris Thurston and George Valenti.
The 15-lap Pure Stock feature saw newcomer Brandon Warner hold on the early going, but Dave Mannise and Dave Pope snuck by into the first and second spots. Pope could not get by Mannise, who took the win with Pope and Warner trailing. Dana Akins and Fran Bryant rounded out the top five.
The Dwarf cars had a very exciting 15-lap feature that saw several different leaders and a battle right to the finish. Bob Garafolo emerged from the lead battle to hang on in a one lap dash to the checkers, besting Tim Devendorf, Joe Garafolo, Lowell Zehr, and Mike Isabell.
The Junior Modified Lite feature was won by Taylor Caprara, who led Jordan Keruskie and Joe Abbas to the line.
Thursday racing action continues next week at Thunder Alley with the DIRT Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, IMCA Modifieds, Pure Stocks, and Junior Modified Lites. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing starting at 7 p.m.
RACE SUMMARY-CAPRARA'S THUNDER ALLEY SPEEDPARK
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2004
DIRT MODIFIED FEATURE-ALAN JOHNSON, Ryan Bartlett, Bob McCreadie, Frankie Caprara, Dale Planck, Lee Gill, Pat O'Brien, Vic Coffey, John Lazore, Justin Mason, Bill Dunn, Delbert LaGrow, Bill Cook, Tyler Bartlett, Patrick Dupree, Steve Paine, Larry Welling.
DIRT SPORTSMAN FEATURE-LANCE WILLIX, Jessica Zemken, Matt Butler, Kyle Dingwall, Scott Parliament, Greg Doust, Chad Phelps, Jim Kite, Ben Tucker, Jack Meeks, Jason Potter, Russ Hefti, Tim VanBrocklin, Tim Alton, Marcel Pecore, Chris Hile, Tom Schroy, Billy Eisele, Ronnie Centner, Shawn Donath, Mike Mandigo, Steve Roberts, Derrick Backus, Mike Young, JJ Courcy.
IMCA MODIFIED FEATURE-SEAN LIAS, Dale Caswell, Neal Edgar, Chris Thurston, George Valenti, George Catazano, Chris Taylor, John Mason, Jason Amidon, Rich Countryman, Brian Hudston, Jery Fobare, Brian Evenden.
PURE STOCK FEATURE-DAVE MANNISE, Dave Pope, Brandon Warner, Dana Akins, Fran Bryant, Andy Wells, Ken Hamm, Steve Gilmore, Steve McIntyre, Brian Holder, Steven Gilmore, Jason Gilmore, Andy Young.
DWARF CAR FEATURE-BOB GARAFOLO, Tim Devendorf, Joe Garafolo, Lowell Zehr, Mike Isabell, Jeff Barker, John Byrnes, Dan Williams, Darren Austin, Steve Miller, Brad Shova, Kelly Skinner, Fred Robinski, Brenda Rice, Ted York, Doug Williams, Don Penner, DJ Forbes, Mark Cooper.
JUNIOR MODIFIED LITES-TAYLOR CAPRARA, Jordan Keruskie, Joe Abbas.