DANNY JOHNSON DEFENDS TITLE WITH MODIFIED WIN AT RANSOMVILLE
by...Tana Robinson
Danny Johnson, who is the defending co-champion at Ransomville, showed us all why as he came from deep in the pack to win the 35 lap regular modified feature. The Rochester, NY native took over the top spot from brother Alan Johnson with 2 laps remaining and went on to take the checkered in his Niagara Piston Rings 27J.
Rick Hoctor and Mark Sylvies sat on the front row for the feature start with Sylvies taking the early lead. Alan Johnson, who started fifth, was on the move and into the number one position by lap 5. Lap 7 found the first caution fly for Todd Burley who tangled with Don Spatarico and ended up against the turn three guardrail.
On the restart, Alan showed the way followed by Robbie Krull, Mark Sylvies, Rick Hoctor, Fred Cade, Pete Bicknell, Danny Johnson, Kenny Cosgrove and Brian Stevens. It was a four car battle between Cade, Bicknell, Hoctor and Danny Johnson with Bicknell and Danny coming out running fourth and fifth. Bicknell and Danny continued their charge to the front getting by Sylvies and Krull.
By mid way through, the leaders were in lap traffic. Alan Johnson had built up a pretty commanding lead while Bicknell and Danny Johnson were engaged in a battle for second.
With 5 laps to go, Bicknell and Danny encountered a lap car. Bicknell chose high, Danny chose low and the lap car was caught in the middle. Danny was able to get the edge coming off turn four for the runner up position. Brian Stevens had worked his way through the field and took over fifth from Mark Sylvies. Sylvies soon retired with motor woes for the second straight week.
The final caution flew with just two laps remaining setting a Johnson boy duel. On the restart, Alan ran the low groove, while Danny took it all the way to the guardrail looking for some bite. Coming out of turn two, the brothers were side by side. They continued this way down the back stretch and through turns 3 and 4, bringing everyone to their feet. Coming off four it was Danny with the edge. Alan continued to pressure for the final circuit but it was Danny in for the win. Alan finished in second followed by Bicknell, Krull and Stevens.
Pitnotes...Vic Coffey has decided to make Ransomville his Friday night home...welcome Vic. Another big field as 27 modifieds filled the pits. Next week finds a regular show for the modifieds with the ISS Sprint cars in attendance. Heat wins went to Alan Johnson, Mark Sylvies and Rick Richner.
FEATURE FINISH...DANNY JOHNSON, Alan Johnson, Pete Bicknell, Robbie Krull, Brian Stevens, Fred Cade, Scott Kerwin, Harry Sitler, Rich Vinson, Don Martin, Ricky Richner, Vic Coffey, Tim Murdoch, Joe Kubiniec, George Jowdy, Rick Hoctor, Don Spatarico, Russ Zimmerman, Rick Bitterman, Scott Harris, Mark Sylvies, Ken Cosgrove, John Hagerman and Todd Burley.