ALAN JOHNSON FENDS OFF HEARN IN DYNOMAX 150
by Gary Tremper
Middletown, NY ... One year ago Brett Hearn led from start to finish to win the DYNOMAX 150 for 358 Modifieds at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY. This year it was Hearn chasing Phelps, NY veteran Alan Johnson to the checkers. Johnson, like Hearn, led this years running from flag to flag claiming the $7500 winners share of the total purse; and all lap money, earning $10,300 for his efforts.
"It was a nerve-wracking race with Brett pushing me the whole race" said Johnson in victory lane while celebrating his first ever 358 modified win at the speedway. "I was worried about tires, I couldn't cool them as much as I liked but it looks like the right rear held up pretty good."
Hearn, who staged a last ditch charge over the final 10 laps wasn't as fortunate with his tires. "I pushed it too hard in the beginning" related Hearn. "This is Eastern States and track position means everything. It's my fault, I used it up early."
Speed was the key to success this weekend as Johnson blistered the track on Friday afternoon during time trials setting a new 358 modified track record of 21.994 sec. (102.301 mph) on the 5/8th mile hard clay track. Tim Fuller set second quickest time with a 22.038 run putting him along side Johnson on the front row for the 150 lap grind.
Coming into the event Fuller held a mere 20 point advantage over Johnson in the Hoosier Tires - Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Championship for 358 Modifieds. With Johnson winning the race, Fuller could finish fourth or better and still clinch the championship. Fifth place would create a tie.
"I figured I could run second to Alan and still win the championship, then the restarts happened and I got shuffled to fourth and thought I can't lose one more spot" said Fuller.
Restarts were a key issue throughout the race. With 27 laps scored Johnson, Fuller, Matt Sheppard, Tim McCreadie and Hearn occupied the top five positions. With one fast lane, passing in the later stages was at a premium. Those in pursuit of Johnson hoped for lapped traffic as an aide in chasing down Johnson. However, whenever the top five caught lapped cars, the yellow flag would wave, giving Johnson a clear track on the restarts. Some used double file restarts to gain an advantage on Johnson.
"You weren't going to go anywhere unless it was on a double file restart" Sheppard. "I got shuffled from 5th to 6th to 5th again on a few restarts. You weren't going anywhere unless somebody in front of you broke or made a mistake."
Sheppard was able to move around Fuller on a lap 69 restart to take third behind Hearn who had worked his was into second behind Johnson. Hearn continued to chase Johnson over the closing laps to no avail.
"I think if I was in front of Johnson he couldn't have gotten me either" said Hearn. "Lapped traffic would have helped us, but those cautions...and the cars are so equal. I turned it up a notch at the end but I wasn't going to get by (Johnson) unless he broke or made a mistake and Alan Johnson doesn't make mistakes."
Following Johnson under the checkers were Hearn, Sheppard, Fuller, and Tim McCreadie. By virtue of his fourth-place finish Fuller wrapped up the Mr. DIRT 358 point championship over Johnson by 5 points.