ALAN JOHNSON, JAMIE CHRISTIAN, T.J. FITZGIBBONS, DARREN KELSO CLAIM VICTORIES ON CARSON AUTO GROUP NIGHT AT FULTON
Fulton, NY…Alan Johnson took the lead on lap 30 of the 50-lap Carson Automotive Group DIRT 358 Modified feature and went on to claim the victory. The night’s other winners included Jamie Christian in the DIRT Sportsman, T.J. Fitzgibbons in the DIRT Pro Stocks, and Darren Kelso in the Pure Stocks.
Steve Hulsizer sprinted out to the early lead in the 358 Modified feature. All eyes were on J.J. Michaels, however, as he began to challenge for the lead with his yellow 31. As the lap counter moved turned to nine, Michaels figured out a way around the 88 of Hulsizer and into the top spot.
Defending track champion Jimmy Phelps was also in the thick of the lead battle, and gave Michaels just three laps to enjoy being at the head of the class before he took control on lap 12. Michaels ran second at this point, followed by Hulsizer, Alan Johnson in the 14J, and the 22 of Gil Tegg.
Johnson had come from the 9th starting spot into the top five and was on a mission toward the front of the field. He moved by Hulsizer and Michaels within ten laps and by the race’s halfway mark was in second.
With Phelps trying to negotiate slower traffic, Johnson closed the gap in just a few short laps and by the time lap 30 went into the history books he had devoured the 99J of Phelps and had the lead for good.
At the checkers it was Johnson getting the win with Phelps, Michaels, Hulsizer, and John Barker rounding out the top five. Sixth through tenth were Jason Barney, Gil Tegg, Ryan Baye, Roy Shields, and Jeff Rudalavage. Heat wins went to Michaels, Hulsizer, and Shields.
The DIRT Sportsman feature began with the 83 of Tim Sears getting out to the early advantage over Dan Yankowski and Jamie Christian. They diced through the first several laps, with Christian taking second on lap three, and overtaking Sears for control of the race at the halfway mark on lap ten.
Yankowski had his 32Y in third at this point, with the 99 of Dave Bargabos and the 27 of John Cunningham trailing. Though a couple of yellows slowed the pace at various times, the top five remained pretty much static throughout the remainder of the 20-lap event.
Christian took the victory, followed by Sears, Yankowski, Bargabos, and Cunningham. Ron Richardson, Russ Hefti, Paul Kinney, Clayt Brewer, and Paul Benz filled out the top ten. DIRT Sportsman heat wins went to Sears, Yankowski, and Bargabos. Rich Keller took the top spot in the consolation event.
In the DIRT Pro-Stock feature, early leader Scott Moyer was overtaken on lap four by the 21 of Tom Sears. Charging through the field was T. J. Fitzgibbons in the 14, as he moved into the top five on the second lap and began looking for the leader.
The 76 of Ricky Breed was in third early, but his front hood broke apart and he began to fade. The battle for the lead began to shape up with Sears and Fitzgibbons dicing it out until lap ten when the 14 took control for good.
Though Sears tried his best to get the lead back, Fitzgibbons was too strong and he went on to claim top honors. Moyer retook second near the end, with Sears, John Pietrowicz, and Joe Jackson also finishing in the top five.
Ray Maloney, Dan Winks, Ryan Buskey, Chuck Matthews, and Herm Flowers came across sixth through tenth. Heat race victories went to Moyer and Sears. A major incident stopped the feature race on lap 14 when the 33 of Rich Murtaugh suffered a fire in the driver compartment. Murtaugh suffered second degree burns in the incident.
Darren Kelso led flag-to flag in the nightcap Pure Stock feature. Jeff Pastorella ran second early, but Chuck Cushman moved around him on the 11th circuit. Pastorella hung on to third to the end with his 25, running a consistent race all the way.
At the wire it was Kelso finishing first, followed by Cushman, Pastorella, the 17E of Mark Effner, and the 54 of Jay Finch. Sixth through tenth were Scott Gravelding, Chad Ray, Phil Trimm, David Kirk, and Ken Connors. Qualifying events went to Pastorella and Kelso.
Next week Fulton plays host to a full program of DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks, plus lawnmower racing. Gates will open at 5pm, with racing set for 7pm. For more information, contact the speedway’s website at www.fultonspeedway.com.
FEATURE FINISHES
358 MODIFIEDS: ALAN JOHNSON, Jim Phelps, J.J. Michaels, Steve Hulsizer, John Barker, Jason Barney, Gil Tegg, Ryan Baye, Roy Shields, Jeff Rudalavage, Mike Ward, Gus Schmidt, Erik Van Scriver, Aaron Jacobs, Brent Wilcox, Bill Woodworth, Roger Phelps, Tim Burnett, Tim Murphy Jr., Pat Lynch, Bill Shantel Sr., Tim Vincent, and Dave Reilly. DNS – Tony Buffa, Lansing Petzoldt.
SPORTSMAN: JAMIE CHRISTIAN, Tim Sears, Dan Yankowski, Dave Bargabos, John Cunningham, Ron Richardson, Russ Hefti, Paul Kinney, Clayton Brewer, Paul Benz, Jim Bowman, Kevin Crane, Jim Roberts, Rich Keller, Willie Decker, Butch Reiter, Mike Holmes, Bill Shantel Jr., Ed Ferris, Bill Flask, Walt McArdell, Mark Yorker, Mike Lavrenway, and Tyce Morris. DNS – R10 Greg Doust. DNQ – Tim Johnson, Jim Kite, Jeremy Pitcher, Chad Phelps.
PRO STOCKS: T.J. FITZGIBBONS, Scott Moyer, Tom Sears, John Pietrowicz, Joe Jackson, Ray Maloney, Dan Winks, Ryan Buskey, Chuck Matthews, Herm Flowers, Richard Stevenson, Dave Fox, Rich Murtaugh, Rick Breed, Roger Olschewske, Jerry Holmes, Randy Coit, Jamie Reese. DNS – 18 Jason Rood.
PURE STOCKS: DARREN KELSO, Chuck Cushman, Jeff Pastorella, Mark Effner, Jay Finch, Scot Gravelding, Chad Ray, Phil Trimm, David Kirk, Ken Connors, Bill Lashing, Marty Davis, Paul Mercier.