ALAN JOHNSON FINALLY VISITS THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT FULTON SPEEDWAY

FULTON, NY...To say that the 2001 race season at Fulton Speedway has not been that kind to Alan Johnson would be an understatement. That might be changing now, as the defending Fulton Speedway DIRT 358 Modified Track Champion recorded a very convincing win on Hofmann Hot Haus Night. The victory was the first of the season on the Fulton Speedway high banks for Johnson.

Pete Taylor raced out to the early lead at the start of the Hofmann Hot Haus DIRT 358 Modified feature from the pole starting position. Taylor led the opening two laps of the main event. Jim Mahaney took the top spot away from Taylor on lap three. Mahaney moved up fast from the sixth starting position and after 10 laps the former Fulton Speedway Track Champion continiued to lead.

Alan Johnson, Roy Shields, Tim Burnett and Taylor followed Mahaney in the top five after 10 laps. It was on lap 11 when Johnson took the lead away from Mahaney. Johnson started from the 11th position and came flying through the field. Even though Johnson took the stop spot away from Mahaney, the lead duo continued to race side by side. Lapped traffic started to come into play and that allowed Johnson to open up his lead.

At the halfway point of the 35 lap main event Johnson continued to lead with Mahaney, Burnett, Shields and Rick Miller following in the top five. A long strecth of green flag racing allowed Johnson to open up his lead. Matt Sheppard, the point leader going into the feature, moved up from his 20th starting position to third on lap 26. The great drive by Sheppard came to an end on lap 29 when he spun in the third turn.

Johnson held off all challengers in the closing laps to claim his first Fulton Speedway win of the season. Mahaney drove a solid race and finished second. Burnett came from the 16th starting position to finish third. Tom Sears Jr. finished fourth after starting in the 21st position. J.J. Michales completed the top five feature finishers.

Tom Juhl won his second DIRT Sportsman feature race of the season last Saturday night. Juhl passed Paul Kinney in the third turn of the final lap for the dramatic win. Dan Vail, Russ Hefti and Shane Donath completed the top five feature finishers in the entertaining race. Ron Loveless led the opening three laps of the feature before Kinney took the lead on lap four.

T.J. Fitzgibbons won his first Pro Stock feature race of the season last Saturday night. Fitzgibbons was followed by Jason Rood, Jerry Holmes, Ray Maloney and Freddy Dennis. Paul Streiff led the opening four laps of the feature before Fitzgibbons took command on lap five of the 20 lap race.

Jeff Pastorella won both Pure Stock feature races last Saturday night. Pastorella won the rain delayed feature from July 7 over Bruce Stanton, Rob Seavy, Joe Dote and Phil Trimm. Pastorella was followed in the nightcap by John Pietrowicz, Steve Woodworth, Todd Koegel and Ken Conners.

FULTON NOTES---A total of 34 DIRT 358 Modifieds attempted to qualify for the main event...Jerry Curcie was the winner of both Four Cylinder Enduro races...The new clay put down during the week worked in well for a smooth and fast surface...Action continues Wednesday, July 25 at Fulton Speedway withe the 4th annual Showdown at Sundown. A 100 lap Super DIRT Series race for the 358 Modifieds will be the main attraction. The Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks will also be in action. Time trials start at 6:30 p.m. and race action at 7 p.m...The ARDC Midgets will invade Fulton Speedway on Saturday, July 28. The DIRT 358 Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks will also be in action. Race time is 7 p.m...For more information regarding Fulton Speedway please call (315) 593-6531 or 668-RACE...The on line address is www.fultonspeedway.com.

DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE---Alan Johnson, Jim Mahaney, Tim Burnett, Tom Sears jr., J.J. Michaels, Jeff Rudalavage, Ryan Baye, Rick Miller, Jeff Kotary, Matt Sheppard, John Barker, Roy Shields, Pete Taylor, Tyke Morris, Jim Burke, Wayne Reutimann Jr., John Ramsey, Jeremy Smith, Ty Hunt, Bobby Holland, Jimmy Phelps, Bill Shantel, Dave Reilley, Jim Witko Jr.

DIRT SPORTSMAN FEATURE---Tom Juhl, Paul Kinney, Dan Vail, Russ Hefti, Shane Donath, Tim Sears, Jim Kite, Shawn Donath, John Cunningham, Mike Button, Bill Shantel Jr., Ron Loveless, Clayton Brewer jr., Craig Terrell, Walt McArdell, Chad Phelps, Dave Bargabos, Tim French, Terry Knoblach, Pat O'Hanlon, Jeremy Pitcher, Jim Larock, Ryan Richardson, Greg Doust, Arnie Slade.

DIRT PRO STOCK FEATURE---T.J. Fitzgibbons, Jason Rood, Jerry Holmes, Ray Maloney, Freddy Dennis, Paul Streiff, Ricky Breed, Paul Stoneburg, Jeremy Clark, Ryan Buskey, J.B. Dockstader, Keith Butler, Dave Moyer, John Pietrowicz, Tom Juno Jr., Tom Barron, Dave Fox, Mike Watkins, Anna Elkema, Stony Stoneburg.

PURE STOCK FEATURE FROM JULY 7---Jeff Pastorella, Bruce Stanton, Rob Seavy, Joe Dote, Phil Trimm, Chris Cunningham, Bill Flask, Darren Kelso, Mark Davison, Rob Whipple, Wayne Chesbro, Bill Allen, ken Conners, Rob Weatherstone, Adam Morley, Joe Buske, dave Stoughtenger, John Kanasola.

REGULAR PURE STOCK FEATURE---Pastorella, Pietrowicz, Woodworth, Koegel, Conners, Seavy, Flask, Mercier, Barton, Allen, Buske, Stanton, Kelso, Whipple, Chesbro, Stoughtenger, Raymond, Prevo, Kanasola, Dote, Weatherstone, Morley, Cunningham, Brown.