ALAN JOHNSON RECORDS WIN IN FULTON SPEEDWAY SEASON OPENING 45 LAP SPECIAL

ALAN JOHNSON RECORDS WIN IN FULTON SPEEDWAY SEASON OPENING 45 LAP SPECIAL

FULTON, NY...Alan Johnson claimed the victory in the 45-lap season opening DIRT Big Block Modified feature race last Saturday at Fulton Speedway. Johnson drove his typical steady race to earn the victory in the Jeff Rudalavage owned, Native Poker sponsored car. Johnson came from the eighth starting position to earn the $2,300 winners share in front of a large opening night crowd at the Home of the Victoria 200.

Pat Ward raced out to the early lead at the start of the DIRT Big Block Modified main event from the outside pole starting position. John Barker took the top spot away from Ward on lap two. On lap four Ward regained the lead and that set the stage for the duo to do the same for most of the first 10 circuits. With 10 laps complete Ward and Barker were being followed in the top five by Tim Fuller, Alan Johnson and Tom Sears.

With a long stretch of green flag racing all eyes were on Alan Johnson working his way up to the front. Johnson passed Barker for second on lap-19 and it was on lap-22 when he slipped past Ward for the feature lead. Ward was able to stay within striking distance of Johnson until the end, but had to settle for second. Defending Track Champion Tim Fuller finished third. DIRT Big Block Modified rookie driver Kevin Bates came from the 19th starting position to finish a strong fourth. Scott Prentice completed the top five feature finishers.

Joey Williams earned the victory in the season opening 20-lap DIRT Sportsman main event. Williams was followed across the finish line by Russ Hefti, Shane Donath, Sam Reakes IV and Mike Bowman. Reakes led the first lap of the main event. Hefti took the top spot on lap two and it appeared that the veteran was headed to victory. Williams took the top spot away from Hefti on lap-13 and once in front he was able to pull away to the convincing victory.

Louie Jackson was the winner of the season opening 20-lap DIRT Pro Stock main event. Dick Parkhurst, Ron Marsden, Billy Clark and Bob Buono followed Jackson across the finish line in the top five. Jackson made a thrilling last lap pass by Mitchell Jock to earn the victory. Jock was later disqualified and placed last in the official finish after post race inspection.

Dan Hofmann Sr. was the winner of the marathon 20-lap Pure Stock feature. Jim Donaldson, Ricky DeGroff, Gary Barton and Ron Hawker completed the top five in the official order of finish. Hofmann took the lead away from Steve Woodworth on lap-18 and led the rest of the distance in the event. Dave Mannise, Rusty Marsden and Donaldson all led at different stages of the race.

John Mason won the season opener in the IMCA Modified Empire State Series event. George Cantanzano, Mike Smith, Dale Caswell and Rob Keller completed the top five feature finishers. Larry Bezner led the first circuit in the main event before Mason took command of the field on lap two. Cantanzano became the third different leader of the event on lap seven. Mason regained the lead on lap-13 and led to the finish in the 20-lap affair.

Professional DIRT Motorsports competition will return this Saturday at Fulton Speedway with the DIRT Big Block Modifieds, DIRT Sportsman, DIRT Pro Stocks, Pure Stocks and the Four Cylinder Enduro racers all in action. Show time is 7 p.m. For more information please go on line to www.fultonspeedway.com or call the track office at 315-593-6531 or the race line at 668-RACE.

DIRT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS---Alan Johnson, Pat Ward, Tim Fuller, Kevin Bates, Scott Prentice, Jimmy Phelps, Danny Johnson, Ryan Phelps, Jim Witko, John Barker, Chad Phelps, Kenny Stafford, Eric Richardson, Billy Dunn, Tom Sears, Tim Sears, Brett Tonkin, Steve Hulsizer, Joe Isabell, Yannick Ledoux, Vinnie Vitale, Jeff Isabell, Bob McCreadie, Dan Vauter, Bob Bennett.

DIRT SPORTSMAN---Joey Williams, Russ Hefti, Shane Donath, Sam Reakes IV, Mike Bowman,Roy Bresnahan, Shawn Donath, Jim Larock, Tom Juhl, Rob Bellinger, Dave Reilley, Mark Davison, Jordan Bennett, John Behron, Joe August Jr., John Juhl, Chris Hile, A.J. Kingsley, Alan Fink, John Pietrowicz, Jason Rood, Greg Carner, Chris Higgins, Jeremy Pitcher.

DIRT PRO STOCK FEATURE---Louie Jackson, Dick Parkhurst, Ron Marsden, Billy Clark, Bob Buono, Jack Terrell, Jason Parkhurst, Jim Evans, Scott Kocher, Dennis Gauvreau, James Henry, Scott Springer, Mike Vaughn, Dale Guernsey, Mitchell Jock.

PURE STOCK FEATURE---Dan Hofmann Sr., Jim Donaldson, Ricky DeGroff, Gary Barton, Ron Hawker, Pat Hobbs, Joe Buske, Eric Storrs, Jim Wallace, Phil Marsden, Steve Woodworth, Don Stevenson, Rusty Marsden, Van Grant, Mike Watkins, Rob Whipple, Dave Emmons, Bob Whipple, Pete Rabetoy, Dave Mannise, Adam Guilds, Bill Thomas, Chuck Cushman, Joe Briere, Curt Prevo.

IMCA MODIFIED EMPIRE STATE SERIES RACE---John Mason, George Cantanzano, Mike Smith, Dale Caswell, Rob Keller, Bill Anderson Sr., Johnny Hill, Kevan Cook, Dan Ballard, Dan Wilcox, Jon Dumas, Mark Griffin, Rich Townsend, Pete Anderson, Ken Rogers, Eric Nier, Larry Bezner, Mark Webb, Sean Lias, Tony Finch, Les Hubbard, Bob Bradt, Greg Kimball, Larry Robbins.