|
Steve Hixson
RINGGOLD, Ga. (July 25) - Since growing up in Chattanooga, watching his father (the late Joe Lee Johnson, winner of NASCAR's inaugural WORLD 600 in Charlotte) Ronnie Johnson has been coming to the BOYD's SPEEDWAY for about 50 years. Friday night; fans that label him as "THE MAN, THE MYTH and THE LEGEND" totally dominated the BORDER WARS # 2 event to the tune of $2,000. The special 40-Lap Steel-Head Late Model division event drew 28 competitors at race-time, all vying for a start and all knowing with RJ in the house, they'll likely be chasing the spoiler of the FAMOUS black # 5 ""Austin Trucking, Miller Bros. Coal, American Billett, AFCO Racing Products, VP Racing Fuel" MastersBilt / Vinson Race Engines powered racecar. Setting fast-time, winning his DASH-RACE and racing flag to flag, seems so mundane, but fans cheered him on as RJ held off challenger after challenger.
"I am so glad we had such a strong run tonight"… Johnson stated from JODY MILLARD PEST CONTROL Victory Lane. "It's a testament to how hard my guys work back at the shop and it's especially good when folks that back me like Wendall Vinson and his family come up from Alabama to watch me compete." RJ expressed thanks to all the fans for coming out and to the HARVEY Bros. and their workers for refurbishing the GRANDADDY of race-tracks, in order to host such events in the Chattanooga/North Georgia area.
Johnson, 53 (years old) clocked a 14:539 lap amidst the 28 entries. Greg Husky of Knoxville in a new ride set second fastest to Johnson with a 14:566. Those two racers set the stage for two (2) DASH RACES, that saw the locked-in Top 12 race for their starting slots. Third fastest overall qualifier Mike Weeks of Friendsville, TN followed RJ to the 6-lap DASH checkers with current Steel-Head points leader Rick Hixson following. Husky meanwhile held off 1999 Southern All-Star series champion Jamie Perry for DASH #2 victory. The rest of the field was comprised of the two (2) B-Main races. Jason Welshan held off a hard chargin' Kayne Hickman for the win. Hickman rallied from 8th to finish second, just ahead of Brian Burke. A BLAST FROM THE PAST named Rex Richey thrilled the crowd as the RED-HEADED STRANGER piloted his #87 to victory in the 2nd Last Chance race. John Parker and Lamar Scoggins, in his new GRT #32 followed Richey across the line.
With Johnson taking the Green at the OPENING BELL, action was fast, furious and bumpy for the rest of the competitors. Husky tucked into for second with the first of many cautions waving on lap 5, for a stalled Jason Cardwell. Cardwell, who was BORDER WARS #1 runner-up would end his night early with an official 22nd place finish. Early on Mike Price began charging towards the front stealing 2nd away from Husky momentarily on lap 11. Throughout the plaguing yellow-flags, Hixson began to find ground and powered by Price around the events halfway point. With Husky hanging on to a Top 5 with all he could, the MILKMAN stepped up and attempted to deliver. That would only last for Weeks until lap 27 when he pitted the unfamiliar # 31 to the infield. Perry then came to task and challenged Hixson for the #2 spot. The two tangoed around the turns and Perry came up with the spot during a lap 31 caution. The yellow was for the hardest hit of the night when Richey running just outside the Top 5 got collected with John Parker and Andy Miller on the front-stretch. Richey and Parker's cars were destroyed in the crash, while Miller was able to continue.
Seemed Perry's #T21 "Tinker's Garage, Steel Detailers Int'l." sponsored GRT entry might have something for Johnson, but that thought lasted for about three (3) laps as THE FLYIN' WELSHAN appeared out of nowhere. With Hixson depositing his fluid all-down the front-stretch, Welshan, winner of BORDER WARS #1, gave it a go, attempting to keep pace with RJ. For the final 6-circuits the # 29 "Seiler Bros. Lumber, Welshan Excavating, The Miles 411 Restaurant, Mastercraft Boats, Caughron & Co., Tennessee RV" sponsored Trak*Star entry could only watch as Johnson led the way to the final curtain. Fourth starting Perry finished 3rd with Price lasting to 4th. Rounding out the Top 5 was 6th starting William Thomas, who'd earlier in the season fielded the very racecar from Johnson, that was carrying the MID-NITE OIL RACING FUEL checkered flag. In other Racing Action; Billy Bailey made it three-in-a-row in the FWD division. Arva BOOGER Brooks won his 5th A-Hobby race of the season and Jeff Smith collected his second consecutive Crate Late Model feature. Next Friday (July 31st) the A-Hobby $500 to-WIN "Mid SuMMeR NiGHTS CHaMPioNSHiP race. For more info, go to the tracks web-site www.boydsspeedway.com
Official Finish
STEEL-HEAD BORDER WARS #2
40 - Laps $2,000. to-WIN
Entries 28
1. Ronnie Johnson (# 5) of Chattanooga, TN
2. Jason Welshan (# 29) of Maryville, TN
3. Jamie Perry (# T21) of Ringgold, GA
4. Mike Price (# 77) of Lenior City, TN
5. William Thomas (# A19) of Harrison, TN
6. Brian Jackson (# B4) of Chatsworth, GA
7. Greg Husky (# 32) of Knoxville, TN
8. Andy Miller (# 17M) of Dunlap, TN
9. Brian Burke (# B39) of Dalton, GA
10. Dykie Gentry (# 415) of Sale Creek, TN
11. Davy Davis (# D11) of Tunnel Hill, GA
12. Rick Hixson (# 16) of Soddy Daisy, TN
13. Bobby Mayse (# 22) of Harrison, TN
14. John Parker (# 19) of Chatsworth, GA
15. Rex Richey (# 87) of Tazewell, TN
16. Jeff Franklin (# J12) of Ten Mile, TN
17. Mike Weeks (# 31) of Friendsville, TN
18. BJ Morris (# 45) of Mayking, KY
19. Ruben Mayfield (# 00) of Lenior City, TN
20. Lamar Scoggins (# 32) of Cleveland, TN
21. Kayne Hickman (# H3) of Soddy Daisy, TN
22. Jason Cardwell (# 07) of Knoxville, TN
23. Morris Bice (# 41) of Soddy Daisy, TN
24. Mike Tinker (# T22) of Ringgold, GA
DNS
Ty McGee, Rusty Ballenger, Robby Mason and Kevin Burke
|
