ALAN JOHNSON VICTORIOUS IN ALEX FRIESEN SUMMER NATIONALS;
SCOTT KERWIN WINS NAPA PROSTOCK MAIN
RANSOMVILLE, NY…Tuesday, Aug 7, 2001…Alan Johnson of Phelps, NY captured the 100 lap Sunoco Race Fuels DIRT 358 Modified Super DIRT Series event last Tuesday night at the big "R", Ransomville Speedway. Alan took the lead away from his brother Danny on lap 85 aboard his brand new Mike Maroney owned Bicknell chassis.
A total of twenty-eight competitors took the initial green flag with Todd Burley out in front. Burley would set a quick pace followed closely by DIRT rookie sensation Matt Sheppard, Ryan Baye, Danny Johnson, and Alan Johnson. The Johnson boys wasted no time as they set their sights on the front. By lap 9 Burley was in lapped traffic and Danny had made his move into third.
The first caution flew on lap 10 as Fred Cade was looking the wrong way in turn three. Burley set the pace with Sheppard along side. As Burley maintained the top spot, Danny challenged Sheppard for second and took the position on lap 12. Two circuits later, Johnson made the pass on Burley with a wild move going into turn one where Johnson dipped his right rear off the front stretch moat and then dove underneath of the Tornado to take the lead.
The next several circuits were dominated by Danny as Alan moved to the front. Once in second, Alan quickly moved in to challenge his younger brother. Danny ran the top groove while Alan tried to make the bottom work. As the race progressed, Danny seemed to get loose while the track was coming to Alan. "His car was definitely faster, it was just a matter of time," commented Danny in the post race press conference. These two put on a great show for the fans as they battled nose to tail for several circuits before Alan made the winning pass on lap 85. Danny held on for second followed by Pete Bicknell, Todd Burley, and Steve Paine.
The guaranteed spot went to Vic Coffey who finished in seventh. Robbie Krull was awarded the Bert Hard Charger award as he advanced from his nineteenth starting position to finish nineth. Steve Paine was the JE Pistons Fast Timer. Heat winners were Burley, Chad Brachmann, and Bicknell. Consi winner was Gus Schmidt.
The NAPA Prostock feature was won by Scott Kerwin aboard the Stolzenberg owned Blue Moon Potatoes sponsored #1s. Kerwin took the lead away from Butch Zimmerman on lap 5 and held it the remaining 15 laps to score his first win of the season.
The feature start found Butch Zimmerman taking the lead from his front row starting position followed by Mike Martin, Eric Greenleif, Kerwin, and Steve Miller. Kerwin looked very fast right at the get go as he quickly advanced to second followed by Mike Williams.
The first caution flew on lap 5 as Tim Raymond spun in turn three. Amo Webster was also sent pitside as he was dropping fluid onto the racing surface. The restart found Zimmerman choosing the outside lane with Kerwin alongside. As the green flag flew it was Kerwin getting the edge going into turn one. The restart was short lived as another quick caution was needed for Don Duxbury who lost the handle in turn one.
Kerwin set the pace and maintained the lead on the restart. Steve Miller advance into third followed by Joe Stefanski and Jeff Martin. The top four ran side by side putting on a great race for the fans until a caution on lap 8 slowed the pace. Kerwin chose the outside groove for the restart and maintained the top spot as Miller took second followed by Jason Boyle who was now on the move. Incidental contact between Miller and Boyle resulted in Miller spinning and Boyle being sent to the rear on lap 13.
The final laps were all Scott Kerwin as he led the field to the checkered. Joe Stefanski came home second and regained the points lead followed by visiting driver Tommy Barron, Jon Miller, and Butch Zimmerman. Heat winners were Greenlief, Williams, and Steve Miller.
SUNOCO FACE FUELS 358 MODIFIED SUPER DIRT SERIES FINISH…ALAN JOHNSON, Danny Johnson, Pete Bicknell, Todd Burley, Steve Paine, Brett Hearn, Vic Coffey, Robbie Krull, Billy Krull, Ryan Baye, Rick Richner, Gil Tegg, Pat Ward, Gus Schmidt, Jay Clause, Tom Sears, Don Spatarico, Chad Brachmann, Todd Gordon, Steve Hulsizer, Matt Sheppard, Keith Hoffman, Fred Cade, Wayne McKie, Luke Carleton, Sam Crogan, Alex Hoag, and Russ Zimmerman.
NAPA PROSTOCK FEATURE FINISH…SCOTT KERWIN, Joe Stefanski, Tommy Barron, Jon Miller, Butch Zimmerman, Roger Chrysler, Pat McCoy, Dan Mayer, Mike Williams, Eric Greenlief, Steve Miller, Jason Boyle, Mike Martin, Tom Greene, Phil Scheppes, Don Duxbury, Pete Stefanski, Dan Schulz, Dan Shoop, Steve Devos, Jeff Martin, Steve Lewis, Tim Raymond, and Amo Webster.