July 7, 2007

ALAN JOHNSON WINS SECOND IN A ROW AFTER BATTLE WITH TOM SEARS AT FULTON SPEEDWAY
 

FULTON, NY – Defending track champion Alan Johnson of Phelps survived a hotly contested mid-race duel with Tom Sears Jr. and won his second 35-lap DIRTcar Modified main event in a row last Saturday at Fulton Speedway on Military Appreciation Night. Johnson started fourteenth on the field and took the lead on lap 25 enroute to the $1,500 victory, his third on the season behind the wheel of the Bully’s Truck Stop, Bicknell No. 14j. Other winners were Shawn Donath in the DIRTcar Sportsman, Rusty Marsden in the UMP Pro Stocks, Ron Hawker in the UMP Street Stocks, Dan Williams in the ESDCA Mod Lites, Brad Godshalk in the Gypsum Express Crate Sportsman, and Mark Johnston in the 4-Cylinder Enduros.

As the summer season wears on, defending Modified track champion Alan Johnson seems to get stronger and win many events he enters. After missing a week two weeks ago due to daughter Allison’s high school graduation, Johnson has his work cut out for him. Johnson is second in the standings by 42 points to rival Jimmy Phelps, who is looking for his second ever Fulton season crown. Last week, Johnson made the first big step towards yet another track title by winning the 5-Star Mini-Series event, and this week, he made step two by parking in victory lane for the second straight week.

Alan started fourteenth on the field and methodically worked his way to the front on the Fulton Speedway high banks. Brett Tonkin and Terry Knoblock paced the field down to the green flag from Starter Glenn O’Loughlin with Tonkin taking the early lead. Brian Weaver led momentarily on lap 4 at the line as Tom Sears went from third to the lead on lap 5. Racing was intense over the next ten laps as the drivers battled for position and raced towards the front.

At the halfway point of the 35-lap event, Sears was leading, followed by Willy Decker, Alan Johnson, Brian Weaver, and Jimmy Phelps. On lap 19, Johnson got by Brewerton rival Decker and set his sights on Tom Sears. A fierce side by side battle began over the next seven laps between the two, until Johnson nipped Sears at the line on lap 25 for the lead. The next time around as they were side by side, Sears bobbled into a marker tire in turn four, falling back to the fifth position.

From there on out, it was all Johnson, who raced to the checkers a half straightaway ahead of second place finisher Brian Weaver. Decker, driving the Kyle Lewis No. 09 for the second straight week, finished a strong third, followed by Jimmy Phelps, and Tom Sears. Steve Hulsizer, back from a month off, finished sixth, Kevin Bates was seventh, Vinnie Vitale eighth, Brett Tonkin ninth, and Kenny Stafford tenth.

Defending DIRTcar Sportsman track titlist Shawn Donath of South Onondaga won his third 20-lap feature of the year, this time after passing leader Sammy Reakes IV with two laps to go. Donath started deep in the field in fifteenth and steadily moved his way to the front. Stewart Garrison led the opening circuit, with Friday night’s Brewerton series winner Alan Fink leading the next three circuits until Reakes took command on lap 5. Reakes was forced to settle for second Alan Fink in third, Tony Steiner in fourth, and Gregg Carner in fifth.

Rusty Marsden of Mexico won his first ever 20-lap UMP Pro Stock feature at Fulton Speedway from the sixth starting position. Marsden took the lead from Dale Guernsey on lap 7 enroute to his victory, which was a long time coming as he has been close several times. Rob Seavy led the opening circuit. Billy Clark was second, followed by point leader Jason Parkhurst, Jim Evans, and Jack Terrell.

UMP Street Stock point leader Ron Hawker of Jordon has been waiting to debut a brand new car, but it might have to wait a while as he won his third straight 20-lap feature from the thirteenth starting position. Hawker took the lead from Dan Hofmann Sr on lap 5 enroute to his victory, his fourth of 2007. Dan Hofmann Jr. led the opening circuit before his father took command on lap 2. Dan Hofmann Sr. had to settle for second, with Quentin Burton, Steve Crouse, and Steve Woodworth behind.

Dan Williams of Pennellville won the 20-lap ESDCA Mod Lite feature event. Williams started sixth and took the lead from brother Doug on lap 12 when he broke under yellow. For Williams the point leader, it was his fifth victory of the season at Fulton Speedway. The remainder of the top five was Tim Devendorf, Ken Gamlen, Andrew Schartner, and Canadian Adam Murphy.

Brad Godshalk was the victor in the beginner’s Gypsum Express Crate Sportsman class. Godshalk started seventh and took the lead from early leader Ron Ingison on lap 11 of the 15-lap affair. Ingison was forced to settle for second, with Mike Fowler, point leader Timmy Sears Jr., and Laslow Howiefeld behind. Godshalk has now won three features on the 2007 campaign.

Mark Johnston won the 25-lap 4-Cylinder Enduro after leader Jon Shumway suffered a flat tire halfway through the event. With the win, Johnston extended his point lead over Jerry Herbert. Chris Bonoffski was second, followed by Les Baker, Marjorie Wallace, and Keith Keuer.

Coming up this Saturday July 14 at Fulton Speedway is Novelis / Ferris Industries Night featuring the DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, UMP Pro Stocks, UMP Street Stocks, Gypsum Express Crate Sportsman, and 4-Cylinder Enduros. Racing will begin at 7pm sharp. For more information, contact the track office at (315) 593-6531, the raceline at (315) 668-RACE, or visit www.fultonspeedway.com.

FULTON SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT

RACE DATE: JULY 7, 2007

DIRTcar MODIFIEDS (35-Laps) – ALAN JOHNSON, Brian Weaver, Willy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Tom Sears Jr., Steve Hulsizer, Kevin Bates, Vinnie Vitale, Brett Tonkin, Kenny Stafford, Jeff Isabell, Jeremy Smith, Terry Knoblock, Sean Beardsley, Chad Phelps, John Barker Jr., Brian Murphy, Roy Bresnahan, Matt Fink, Jim Witko Jr., John Ramsey, Tim Sears.

DIRTcar SPORTSMAN (20-Laps) – SHAWN DONATH, Sammy Reakes IV., Alan Fink, Tony Steiner, Gregg Carner, Jeremy Pitcher, Chris Hile, John Pietrowicz, Stewart Garrison, Amanda Whitney, Curt Prevo, Jeff Isabell Jr., Brad Townsend, Doug Shattell, A.J. Kingsley, Dave Reilley, Morris Mathews, Lee Babcock, Matt Hulsizer, Rob Hile, Mike McCarthy, Earl Rudy, Joey Delacruz, Mikey Hay. DNS – Jason Occhino, Bobby Heintz.

UMP STREET STOCKS (20-Laps) – RON HAWKER, Dan Hofmann Sr., Quentin Burton, Steve Crouse, Steve Woodworth, Jay McGillicuddy, Gary Barton, Matt Henderson, Kevin Mayville, Dan Hofmann Jr., Jim Wallace, Dave Mannise, Nick Rizzo, Joe Schirm, Josh Blackwell, Bob Munger, Bill Thomas, Chuck Thomas.

UMP PRO STOCKS (20-Laps) – RUSTY MARSDEN, Billy Clark Jr., Jason Parkhurst, Jim Evans, Jack Terrell, Scott Conover, Adam Hunt, Dick Parkhurst, Jim Donaldson, Jerry Button, Dale Guernsey, Pat Hobbs, Rob Seavy, Dave Briggs.

ESDCA MOD LITES (20-LAPS) – DAN WILLIAMS, Tim Devendorf, Ken Gamlen, Andrew Schartner, Adam Murphy, Lowell Zehr, Luke Lonergan, Jeff Barker, Rocco Leone, Michael Occhipinti, Kelly Skinner, Barry Virts, Jamie King, Doug Williams, Justin Crisafulli, Mike Virginia, Jeff Blackburn, Ricky Yelle, Lisa Thomas, Brenda Rice, Kevin Doll.

GYPSUM EXPRESS CRATE SPORTSMAN (15-Laps) – BRAD GODSHALK, Ron Ingison, Mike Fowler, Timmy Sears Jr., Laslow Howiefeld, Katelyn Kane, Sean McCarthy, Dan Hill, Jake Reilley.

4-CYLINDER ENDURO (25-Laps, Top Five Listed) – MARK JOHNSTON, Chris Bonoffski, Les Baker, Marjorie Wallace, Keith Keuer.