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Johnson streaks to victory Sunday at Enid Speedway By Cheryl Cooksey, Motorsports Writer Enid News and Eagle
ENID — By Cheryl Cooksey
Motorsports Writer
From the four-abreast parade lap to the exciting finish, the O’Reilly Auto Parts sponsored National Champion-ship Racing Association (NCRA) Southern Modified Series main event had the near-capacity crowd on the edge of their seats Sunday night at Enid Speedway.
Travis Johnson displayed his winning ways as he dominated the field with a thrilling victory run. The local veteran, who ended the 2009 season with 10 “A” feature wins, continued his roll in the Spring Modified Nationals with the win.
Hennessey young gun Heston Shaw hurried off the outside pole and led the early going before a yellow flag waved as Shawn Jorski clipped the wall in turn two the second time around and stalled on the track.
The hard-charging Johnson seized the point on the restart and set up a 10-car-length advantage in half a lap. With a clear track in front of him, Johnson skillfully negotiated lapped traffic at the race’s midpoint and extended his considerable lead. But all that effort was for naught as Dylon Bergeon brought out a late race caution reducing the 20-lap main event to a four-lap shootout.
Johnson continued his run when the race resumed only to see a three-car pile-up in turn one bring the yellow flag back out the next time around. The third start was a charm for Johnson as he took the point for a final time and never looked back.
The modified “A” feature was dominated by Randy Timms aboard his Pilot Travel Centers Western Flyer Express. Timms hurried off the pole and set up over a straight away advantage in a mere two laps. The battle was for second with Alan Chickering and young gun Brendon Gemmill engaged in a head-to-head duel.
Jeremy Green spun to a stop in lap 10 and put the race under caution. There was controversy on the track as Green rammed Chickering’s car on the front straight during the yellow flag. Green was suspended pending review by officials.
Timms continued his run when the race resumed and took a commanding lead to the finish. Van Gemmill captured second followed by Travis Johnson, Greg Burt and Dusty Robbins.
Taylor Milton dominated in 360 winged sprints, exploding off the pole and in the fast-paced race. Undaunted by a lap five caution, Milton made his way to the checkered flag uncontested. Kris Miller, Jordan Weaver, Kip Hughes and Jeff Garnett rounded out the top five.
Adam Schrag found the long haul from Hutchinson profitable as conquered the competitive field in the street stock main and made it two wins in a row.
In other action, persistence paid off for Logan Macy as he put his Chevy in victory lane on its inaugural run. Using a strong restart following a caution flag, Macy proved unstoppable in claiming victory. Macy took over the coveted hot seat the third time around and had a strong lead when Brandon Gibson crashed and put the track under caution in lap five.
Tyson Ashlock outlasted the field and took the win in the wild and woolly pure stock main. Dustin Schoonover raced off the outside pole and seized the point. Pacesetter Jason Gerhard followed in hot pursuit and it was a drag race until the second lap when a caution waved for debris. The battle continued when the race went green sending Gerhard off the track. Schoonover was black flagged which saw Tyson Ashlock take command of the race. Gerhard came back onto the track, tagged Schoonover and spun to a halt, bringing the yellow flag back out.
Ashlock picked up where he left off and never was challenged on his route to the finish.
In the bomber race, pacesetter Kody Hill led the green all the way in the main to post the win.
Enid Speedway’s next card will feature a tractor pull, mud bogs as well as racing in the factory and bomber divisions on Saturday, August 28th at 6:30 p.m.
JIMMY MINTER 'AKA'dirtrack234
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