"JACK IS BACK" PALMER WINS HIS 50TH; PETERS CRUISES TO STREET STOCK VICTORY

Fonda, NY- "Jumpin" Jack Johnson of Duanesburgh, NY recorded his first season victory, Saturday night in the 30 lap modified feature at the "New" Fonda Speeway.

Johnson took the inside groove in turn four and slide under the #22 of Dave Lape to take the lead on lap 18. Jumpin Jack pulled away from the field until lap 20, when the #82 of Brian Purdy drove into the first turn wall, bringing out the 2nd caution of the event. This set up a classic, Johnson-Lape battle reminiscent of the seventies at Fonda, when the two battled for the lead on a weekly basis.

Johnson held the lead and was never seriously challenged. This gave Jack Johnson his first win of the season in the Dutchess Overhead Door #87.

"This is a new team and we've been trying to get work things out. This is the best ride I've ever had and now I think we've worked out our problems" said Johnson in victory lane, when asked why it took him this long for a feature in 1997.

The 20 lap sportsman feature saw Alton Palmer of Howes Cave, NY pick up win number 50 at the "Track of Champions."

Palmer started the feature in the fourteenth position and on a restart after a caution on lap eight sat on the back bumper of rookie, Mike Fraiser who had been on the point from the start. For the next two laps, Fraiser could feel the pulse of the #76. On lap twelve, Palmer grabbed the lead and stayed there until the finish.

Brian Borst and last weeks winner, Dave Rosa were setting up to give Palmer a run until they tangled in turn two, sending Rosa to the rear. Borst made a quick recovery to continue his run for the front.

Bryan Peters went to the high side of Chobie Culver on a lap six restart and they ran side by side until Peters overpowered Culver down the back stretch to take the lead.

Peters held a commanding lead until a caution on lap 18 for the #221 of Rob Noviczski, allowed the #93 of Kenny Martin to pull up on the rear bumper of Peters' #69. Peters held off the strong running Martin for his first win of the 1997 season.

Winner of the ELS 20 lap feature was Doug Emery of Webster, NY in the Carquest #32 sprinter.

Modified finish: JACK JOHNSON, Dave Lape, Dave Camara, Mike Romano, Tim Dwyer, Tony Pepicelli, Tim Clemons, Ray Zemken, Frank Hoard, Mike Ciaravino, Chris Jones, Jeff Trombley, Randy Snyder, Wayne Figler, Harry Peek, Doug Mosall, Brian Purdy, Billy Gray, John Kollar, Ken Hanson, John Marsh, Tommy Behrent, Seth Gano, Lou Lazzaro. DNS Mark Maille, Ryan Baker, Randy Sherlock

Modified heat winners: F. Hoard, J. Marsh, M. Ciaravino

Sportsman finish: ALTON PALMER, Brian Borst, Mike Frasier, Mike Fusco, Joe Wilson, Drew Fallis, Bob Anderson, Jeff Lutes, John Constantino, Steve Davis, John Reome, Nick Nichols, George Audi, Dave Rosa, Tony Farone, Jeff Holt, Steve Sperbeck, Jim Senzio, Bob Vedder, Harry Shaffer, Kris Ferrara, John McAuliffe, Dave Fellman. DNS Ron Constantino, Jason Otty

Sportsman heat winners: D. Fellman, A. Palmar, G. Audi, Jr.

Street Stock finish: BRYAN PETERS, Kenny Martin, Jim Burton, Chobie Culver, Dave Viall, Jeff Brate, Phlan Hart, Kenny Gates, Frank Twing, Steve Welch, Tom Myers, Mark Lighthall, Jim Normoyle, Ram Kowalczyk, Mark Sullivan, Kerry Jordan, Tony Johnson, Greg Overholt, Steve Skinner, Steve Clemons, Jay Resch, Rob Noviczski, Tony Cece, Frank Guiffre, Tom LaPlante, Ed Bradt, Dan Streeter. DNS Ed Adair, Steve Brownell, Bob Blanchard.

Street Stock heat winners: S. Welch, C. Culver, B. Peters