ALAN JOHNSON SCORES SUPER DIRT WIN AT EDELWEISS

By: Andre Audette

Edelweiss Speedway played host to a leg of the Turning Stones Casinos Super Dirt series Tuesday and fans were hoping for a local hero to drive into win lane to claim the lion’s share of the 20 000$ that was up for grabs but super star Alan Johnson had bad news for the Val des Monts faithful.

The 48 year old driver from Middlesex N.Y. left from post five on the starting grid and took over the lead of the 30-car field at lap 12 from local favourite Pierre ‘’The Snake’’ Dagenais in a fast paced 75 lapper which saw only four cautions. It was a done deal from then on for ‘’A.J. Slideways’’ as he set a torrid pace the rest of the way and drove his way to victory lane leaving behind him Matt Sheppard as second best while Stewart Friesen, Monday night’s series winner at Brockville completed the podium. Brett Hearn and Pierre Dagenais made up the remainder of the fast five. ‘’The car was in a great shape tonight but we also have to give credit to the track’s caretakers for making it in such a good condition. The inside post on the starting grid also was an advantage,’’ Johnson said in the post race interview from the winners circle. Johnson also won a qualifying heat. Dave Rauscher from Waterloo N.Y. and Dale Planck out of Cortland N.Y. also were qualifying heat winners. Pierre Dagenais set the fastest time in the trials with a 14.023 and Brett Hearn had the second fastest with a 14.209. Hull’s Peter Mantha won the Consi.

There also was action in the Pro Stock where Marc Therrien scored his fifth win of the season and his second in three days at the Val des Monts fast clay oval. The Williamstown driver held off late charging Joey Ladouceur who had to settle for second best and a very aggressive Dominic Gauvreau ending third. Gatineau’s Stephane Lebrun who experienced mechanical problems in the qualifiers came back in the final and ended fourth. Nicolas Vaillant won the qualifying heat in a green to checkered performance.

Newcomer Ghislain Valade was victorious in the Semi Pros by taking the measure of point leading Bruno Richard ending second and Richard Brady settling for third best. John Bedard and Nicolas Gauvreau in fourth and fifth spot respectively made up the remainder of the top five. Bruno Richard took top honours in the preliminary qualifying race.

Martin Jacques captured his fifth feature win in the four cylinders crossing the finish stripe in front of newcomer Stephen Smith in second place and Martin Bernard in third spot. Danny Larose in fourth and Wakefield’s Ryan Foley in fifth rounded out the top five. Carl Soucy took the checkered flag in the qualifying heat.

Action resumes this coming Friday night, August 12 at Edelweiss Speedway where a full and regular program is on the slate plus a race with a trailer itched to each cars will be featured. The green flag drops at 7:30.