ALAN JOHNSON SCORES SECOND CONSECUTIVE DYNOMAX VICTORIA 200 WIN TO CAP OFF EXCELLENT 2002 SEASON AT FULTON SPEEDWAY
FULTON, NY (October 5, 2002) – Alan Johnson of Phelps, the odds on favorite to win the 17th Annual Dynomax Victoria 200 at Fulton Speedway, did just that last Saturday night for the second consecutive season. The $22,400 third career victory in the Dynomax Victoria 200 for Johnson capped off a tremendous 2002-season at Fulton Speedway in which he claimed nine feature wins and the 358-Modified track championship. The win for Johnson in front of a record crowd came behind the wheel of the Maroney Motorsports / Bicknell No. 14j machine.
Mitch Gibbs and Brett Hearn paced the 45-car Dynomax Victoria 200 starting field down to the flags of Dave Farney with Hearn racing out to the early lead. The first yellow flag of the race came right at the end of lap 1 when Rich Swarthout spun in turn four, collecting Justin Haers, who suffered heavy damage. On the restart, Hearn continued his lead with Alan Johnson settling into second and Mitch Gibbs in third.
The next yellow came on lap 19 when John Barker spun in turn four. The restart produced the first lead change of the Dynomax Victoria 200 when Johnson went underneath Hearn for the top spot on lap 2. Hearn was still right there, running the top along the low running Alan, enough so that he was able to peek ahead and retake the lead on lap 27. The third yellow of the event fell on lap 28 collecting Todd Burley, Frank Cozze, and Ted Lamb.
Chuck Hebing seemed to be the man on the move on the restart as he flew to the topside of the speedway and went by several cars. However, the driver really making his mark at this point of the race was six time Dynomax Victoria 200 champion Billy Pauch, who re-invented the Pauch line just inches from the outside wall in the turns.
Lapped traffic began to play a major role in the race, allowing Johnson to get underneath Hearn several times. Alan retook the lead for just one lap on lap 45, but Hearn regained the spot once again. All this time, Alan was applying pressure even though the lapped traffic was becoming heavier all the time. Pauch was up to thirteenth by this point, as Johnson seemed to struggle somewhat.
Danny Johnson, the younger brother of Alan, was making his presence known on lap 52, as he went side by side with Alan for the second position. A three-car battle for the lead began, with Alan again peeking underneath Hearn and taking the lead for the third time of the race. Hearn was struggling enough that Danny was able to take over second with a low move out of turn four.
The fourth yellow of the event came on lap 68 when contender Billy Decker spun in turn two. The lap 73 restart featured an all Johnson front row and 20-cars on the lead lap. Pat Ward was the driver on the charge and went right on by Hearn for third on lap 73. Mike Ricci slowed on lap 79, causing another yellow. Danny went right to work on his brother on the restart and took over the race lead, but Ward was right there attempting to lead a lap as they went side by side.
Matt Sheppard brought out another yellow on lap 84 with a simple spin in turn two. Danny continued his lead on the green flag lap, as Chuck Hebing took over fourth from Hearn. Most of the cars on the track were single file at this point, except for Billy Pauch who was continuing to charge even though he struggled, even hitting a dirt pile along the wall in turn four several times.
The National Parts Peddler Newspaper Halfway Leader Award of $500 went to halfway leader Danny Johnson at lap 100. Alan was second, followed by Ward, Hearn, Hebing, Pete Bicknell, Tim McCreadie, Tom Sears, Tim Fuller, and Billy Pauch.
When the second segment of the Dynomax Victoria 200 began, Danny resumed his lead, but Hearn moved back into second. Hearn put serious pressure on his rival and retook the lead on lap 106 putting the brotherly battle on for the second spot. As Alan retook second, Billy Pauch, who mysteriously switched down to the extreme low side on the speedway, promptly hit a marker tire between turns three and four causing yet another yellow.
On the restart, Hearn resumed the lead but Jeff Rudalavage hit a tire in turn four causing a caution period. Alan Johnson peeked under Hearn as the race continued on lap 130 as Hearn slipped high. Alan retook the lead for the fourth and final time on lap 132, even though Hearn was able to stay with him over the next few laps. Ward took third on lap 138, and shortly thereafter, Danny broke coming out of turn four in front of traffic. Several cars narrowly missed him, although there was slight contact with Pete Bicknell who was able to continue.
Alan Johnson began to pull away somewhat, and with fifty laps to go, he led Hearn, Ward, Steve Paine, and Chuck Hebing. His lead increased to almost a full straightaway as most of the cars began running the low groove on the speedway, somewhat limiting passing.
With ten laps to go, only six cars were on the lead lap of the Dynomax Victoria 200. There was no stopping Alan Johnson who went on to his second consecutive Victoria 200 feature win over Hearn, Ward, Paine, and Fuller. Chuck Hebing, Tim McCreadie, Steve Hulsizer, Pete Bicknell, and Vic Coffey completed the top ten finishers.
Alan Johnson and the Maroney Motorsports crew were jubilant in victory lane for their third career Dynomax Victoria 200 win. The win capped off a tremendous track championship season at Fulton for Johnson, which included nine feature wins. The win was the 29th of his career at Fulton, moving him up to fourth on the track all-time feature win list, tied with Bobby Podolak.
“I owe it all to them guys – I am so proud of them,” said Johnson. “We made it run a little better at the halfway break, and the car just came on in the second 100.”
Hearn was happy with his finish, considering that last season, he was in the pits long before the race was over because he clipped a marker tire while dominating. Hearn complimented Johnson by saying, “Alan’s got these slick tracks figured out now."
Pat Ward was delighted with his best career Dynomax Victoria 200 finish. “This is a great feeling,” he said. “I thought I had the car to beat Alan."
Dynomax Victoria 200 heat races were won by Jimmy Phelps, Jeff Rudalavage, Mitch Gibbs, Gordy Button, Ted Lamb Jr, Roger Phelps, Dale Planck, Pat Ward, Frankie Caprara, Alan Johnson, Tim McCreadie, Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn. Tim Hindley, Pete Bicknell, John Barker Jr, Frank Cozze, Ryan Baye, J.J. Michaels claimed wins in the last chance consolation events.
PIT NOTES – The 17th Annual Dynomax Victoria 200 Weekend seems to get bigger and better every season. A record crowd was on hand on the beautiful afternoon, with cars parked far down the road. 138 cars were entered for the Victoria 200, which includes 125 different drivers. Pure Stock driver Joe Buske continued his fundraising efforts for the Children’s Miracle Network. The efficiently run program included 13 heat races, 6 consolation races, the All-Star Race, and the Victoria 200. The All-Star Race was won by Chad Brachmann, followed by Billy VanPelt and Jeff Trombley. The top three advanced to the Victoria 200. The entire show was completed by 8:30pm. Current or former Fulton Speedway regulars won the first seven heat races.
FULTON
SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY
17TH ANNUAL DYNOMAX VICTORIA 200
RACE DATE: OCTOBER 5, 2002
17TH ANNUAL DYNOMAX VICTORIA 200 – ALAN JOHNSON, Brett Hearn, Pat Ward, Steve Paine, Tim Fuller, Chuck Hebing, Tim McCreadie, Steve Hulsizer, Pete Bicknell, Vic Coffey, Tom Sears Jr, Frankie Caprara, Matt Sheppard, Roger Phelps, Jason Barney, Mitch Gibbs, Danny O’Brien, Tim Hindley, Ryan Baye, Gordy Button, John Barker Jr, Alex Hoag, Rich Swarthout, Pierre Dagenais, Danny Johnson, Dale Planck, Willy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Lee Ladouceur, Jeff Rudalavage, Billy Pauch, Todd Burley, Jeremy Smith, Mike Ricci, Billy Decker, J.J. Michaels, Don Scarborough, Chad Brachmann, Billy VanPelt, Jeff Trombley, Chuck Bower, Frank Cozze, Ted Lamb Jr, Bob McCreadie, Justin Haers.
ALL-STAR RACE (10-LAPS) – CHAD BRACHMANN, Billy VanPelt, Jeff Trombley, Lee Gill, George Kostelansky, Laurent Ladouceur, Joey Grammes, Brian Weaver, Luke Plante, Rick Laubach.
###