INVADER ALAN JOHNSON COPS FONDA 'MR. MODIFIED' EVENT

Fonda An "invader" finally pulled it off and became "Mr. Modified U.S.A." in the big 80-lap feature event at Fonda Speedway Thursday evening.

But Wilson moved up through the pack to take the edge from Coville on the 50th lap and was running a strong race until Alan Johnson, who started 23rd in the 30-car field, passed Johnson and went on to hit the jackpot.

Alan Johnson of Clifton Springs, NY, who does most of his racing in the western part of New York State, grabbed the lead away from Tom Wilson of Waterville on the 73rd lap and just beat out Wilson and three other top drivers to capture the Mr. Modified U.S.A. crown and $3,000 for his evening's work.

For the final 30-laps of the 80-lapper, it was a tight battle between Alan Johnson, Wilson, Jack Johnson of Schenectady, Clarence (C.D.) Coville of Sche- nectady and Ken Brightbill of Sinking Springs, Pa. when the checkered flag dropped at the end of the race, the four drivers followed Alan Johnson across the finish line in that order with only about a car length separating the quintet. Prior to the start of the feature,

Gibby Fountain of West Kingston, RI, picked the pole position and also the number of laps, 80 from a hat. Fountain took advantage of the

pole spot to jump into the lead as he green flag dropped starting the race. Gibby held the top spot for 23 laps but Coville passed him on the

th and was now the front runner.

But Wilson moved up through the pack to take the edge from Coville on the 50th lap and was running a strong race until Alan Johnson, who started 23rd in the 30-car field, passed Johnson and went on to hit the jackpot. Modified heat wins went to Jeff Kappesser of Waterloo, George Sifo of Rotterdam, Lou Lazzaro of Utica, Billy Pauch of Stockton, NJ and Les Alberti of East Greenbush.

Fonda Speedway will now be dark dark until Saturday, Sept. 19 when the late models will hold a 50-lap championship race and the modi- fieds battle in a 35-lapper.

Summary: ALAN JOHNSON, tom Wilson, Jack Johnson, C.D. Coville, Ken Brightbill, Billy Pauch, Butch Jelley, George Sifo, Jack Cottrell, Brett Hearn, Carl Reynolds, Bob Sitterly, Bob Rees, Bucky Tesiero, Larry Dalmata, ron Proctor, Gibby Fountain, Larry Dalmata, Kevin Collins, John Leonard, Jeff Kappesser, Mike McLaughlin, Mike Romano, Lou Lazzaro, Bob McCreadie, Tom Corellis, Les Alberti, Dave Lape, Andy romano, Ed Pieniazek.