DANNY JOHNSON CAPTURED HIS FIFTH WIN AT THE BIG 'R'
by...Tana Robinson
Danny Johnson of Rochester, NY took the lead away from Pete Bicknell with 6 laps remaining last Friday night enroute to his fifth victory on Labatts night. After barely qualifying in his heat with his new car, the crew went to work changing everything from the old car (which was brought as a back up) to the new one. "The old girl didn't know what was happening to her" stated crew man Dave Bodsford when referring to the 7 year old chasis Dan has been campaigning with and winning with this season. The changes paid off as Danny was up to fifth by lap 10 and in the lead on lap 29.
Rookie Jay Clause and veteran Fred Cade brought the field down for the 35 lap main event with Cade taking the lead. Clause, Rick Hoctor, Harry Sitler and Scott Kerwin rounded out the top five. Kerwin was on the move quickly making his way to second by lap 10 followed by Hoctor, Rich Vinson and Danny Johnson. The first caution flew on lap 5 for Wayne Conn who came to rest up against the turn 3 guardrail.
On the restart, Cade set the pace with Kerwin on the outside. Going into turn 1 it was Kerwin out powering Cade for the lead. Cade, Vinson, Brian Stevens and Danny Johnson rounded out the top five. Rick Hoctor slowed bringing out another caution.
Cade regained the lead on the restart dropping Kerwin back to second. Danny was up to fourth with Pete Bicknell in tow. They quickly went to work on the front runners, making their way to second and third. A battled unfolded between Kerwin, Bicknell and Johnson for several laps. Danny was first to put the pressure on Kerwin on the bottom as Kerwin ran his patented outside lane. Realizing he couldn't get by on the lowside, Johnson switched back to the top. This opened things up for Bicknell who had his car set up for the inside groove. Bicknell made his way by Johnson and Kerwin around mid-way for the lead. The race appeared to be over as Bicknell held the edge coming out of the corners with Johnson in second. Johnson didn't give up as he continued to go into the corners hard on the top groove, looking for a bite. With 6 to go, it looked as though Danny had been shot out of a rocket as he found what he was looking for up against the guardrail in turn four and took the lead coming down the front stretch. Johnson quickly put a comfortable margin between himself and Bicknell. Alan Johnson had made his way up to third after struggling early on in mid pack followed by Cade and Stevens.
At the checkered it was Danny Johnson collecting win #5 at Ransomville and remaining in the points lead followed by Bicknell, Alan Johnson, Cade and Stevens.
LABATTS FEATURE FINISH...DANNY JOHNSON, Pete Bicknell, Alan Johnson, Fred Cade, Brian Stevens, Todd Burley, Scott Wood, Scott Kerwin, Rich Vinson, Harry Sitler, Don Martin, Jay Clause, Don Spatarico, George Jowdy, Ricky Richner, Kenny Cosgrove, Wayne Conn, Joe Kubiniec, Rick Hoctor, Joe Kidrowski, Russ Zimmerman, Mark Sylvies, Robbie Krull and Rick Schumacher.