BUTTON EDGES JOHNSON FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON ON COCA-COLA NIGHT

 

FULTON, NY...Gordy Button edged Alan Johnson for the win in the 35-lap DIRT 358 Modified feature on Coca-Cola Night last Saturday at Fulton Speedway. Johnson pressured Button throughout the last half of the race, several times pulling even, but the top spot never changed hands. It was Button's first win of the season at the Home of the Victoria 200 and his first since the 1995 season.

     Dave Rauscher raced out to the early lead at the start of the Coca-Cola DIRT 358 Modified feature from the pole starting position. After five circuits Rauscher continued to lead and was being followed in the top five by Roy Shields, Button, Ty Hunt and Tim Fuller. Rauscher would lead the opening seven laps of the main event in his strongest outing of the season.

     Button took the lead away from Rauscher on lap eight. At the halfway point of the main event Button continued to lead and was being followed in the top five by Johnson, Fuller, Don Spatorico and Justin Haers. Racing in positions sixth through tenth respectively at the halfway mark in order included Jimmy Phelps, Tom Juhl, Rauscher, Matt Sheppard and J.J. Michaels.

     Fans were treated to perhaps the best racing of the season in the final half of the event. Button and Johnson raced side by side constantly for the top spot. Fuller was right behind, looking for the leaders to make a mistake. Earlier in the season Button lost a feature race to Johnson because of lapped traffic. The lapped traffic appeared to help Button in this battle.

     Button went on to the popular win over Johnson. The victory for the Chittenango, N.Y. driver was worth $1,500. Fuller had to settle for third while youngsters Hears and Sheppard completed the top five finishers. Phelps, Jim Mahaney, Jeff Rudalavage, Spatorico and Juhl crossed the finish line in positions sixth through tenth respectively.

     Mike Button won his third DIRT Sportsman feature race of the season last Saturday night. Daryl Hagen, Shawn Donath, Greg Doust and Jim Kite completed the top five feature finishers behind Button. On lap 15 Button took the top spot away from Hagen and he would lead the rest of the distance in the 20-lap event.

     Jason Rood won his second straight DIRT Pro Stock feature race last Saturday night. T.J. Fitzgibbons, Keith Butler, Ray Maloney and Dave Fox followed Rood across the finish line. Rood took the lead away from Butler on lap seven and led the rest of the way in the 15-lap event.

     Phil Marsden won his sixth Pure Stock feature race of the season last Saturday night. Todd Koegel, Chris Cunningham, Darren Kelso and Bill Flask completed the top five feature finishers behind Marsden. On lap 13 Marsden took the lead away from Cunningham and went on to the win in the 15-lap event.

     Racing will continue this Saturday at Fulton Speedway with the DIRT 358 Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and the Four Cylinder Enduro cars all in action. A special Modified Dash for Cash will also be contested. Race time is set for 7 p.m. For more information please call the track office at (315) 593-6531 or go on line to www.fultonspeedway.com.

                            COCA-COLA FEATURE RACE SUMMARY

DIRT 358 MODIFIED FEATURE---Gordy Button, Alan Johnson, Tim Fuller, Justin Haers, Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps, Jim Mahaney, Jeff Rudalavage, Don Spatorico, Tom Juhl Jr., John Barker, Roy Shields, Rich Vinson, John Ventura, J.J. Michaels, Ty Hunt, Tim Burnett, Dave Rauscher, Pete Taylor, Mike Payne, Jeremy Smith, Ryan Baye, Tom Sears Jr.

DIRT SPORTSMAN FEATURE---Mike Button, Daryl Hagen, Shawn Donath, Greg Doust, Jim Kite, Bill Shantel Jr., Chad Phelps, John Juhl, Dave Bargabos, Steve Kotary, Jeremy Pitcher, Jim Bowman, Bob Bradt, Ron Loveless, Rich Keller, Ryan Richardson, Steve Davis, Tim Sears, Walt McArdell, Mike Conroy, Donnie Wetmore Jr., Eric Richardson, Steve Way, Sam Reakes IV.

DIRT PRO STOCK FEATURE---Jason Rood, T.J. Fitzgibbons, Keith Butler, Ray Maloney, Dave Fox, Paul Stoneburg, Ricky Breed, Bernie Merithew, Jack Terrell, Jeremy Clark, Lee Burnett.

PURE STOCK FEATURE---Phil Marsden, Todd Koegel, Chris Cunningham, Darren Kelso, Bill Flask, Dave Marcucilli, Mark Davison, Russ Marsden, Mark Denny, Curt Prevo, John Morrison, Dave Arbes, Steve Woodworth, John Phillips, Gary Barton, Ken Conners, Joe Buske, David Kirk, Kevin Raymond, Jerry Button, Chuck Lacey, Eric Chapman, Jamie Glimpse, Bruce Stanton, Gary Donahue.