Ponderosa Speedway
Johnson pockets $1,500 at Ponderosa
By Michael Despain
DirtonDirt.com correspondent
Greg Johnson gets up to speed before his victory at Ponderosa. (straightcircles.com)
JUNCTION CITY, Ky. (April 26) — Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind., notched his third victory in as many weekends with a Friday triumph at Ponderosa Speedway. Johnson, whose previous victories came at Florence Speedway in Union, Ky., earned $1,500 in the 30-lap feature.
Fast qualifier Victor Lee of Danville, Ky., finished second followed by Brad Neat of Dunnville Ky. Stephen Breeding of Hazard, Ky., and David Webb of Nicholasville, Ky., rounded out the top five.
Johnson and Justin Rattliff brought the feature to green with Johnson taking the initial lead with Lee, Rattliff, Neat and Webb in pursuit.
Johnson and Lee immediately pulled away a bit from Rattliff and started lapping slower traffic on lap eight. The only caution of the race flew on lap 14 when Australian visitor Bruce MacKenzie got his mount crossed up in turn four in front of oncoming traffic.
Back underway, Johnson and Lee again scooted away from the pack, while Stephen Breeding would work past Rattliff for the fourth spot after Neat had taken third. By lap 22, Johnson was pulling away a bit from Lee, while Neat closed in on Lee.
However, Johnson would be superior on this evening and put his Gary Engle-owned entry in victory lane.
Notes: Johnson’s Revelution Chassis has a Waggs Race Engine and sponsorship from Carthage Auto Parts, Hoosier Tire, Quality Electrostatic Painting and FK Rod Ends. ... Good Neighbor Pharmacy sponsors the track’s Late Model division. ... Todd Coffman outdueled Tyler Allen in the Fastrak-sanctioned Crate Late Model division sponsored by Smith Automotive Machine Shop. ... Ponderosa returns to action May 3 with a regular-season event.
Ponderosa Speedway: (1) Greg Johnson, (2) Victor Lee, (3) Brad Neat, (4) Stephen Breeding, (5) David Webb, (6) Justin Rattliff, (7) Jason Smith, (8) Johnny Wheeler, (9) Todd Coffman, (9) Ross Nicastri, (10) Jeff Rawlings, (11) Wesley Brummett, (12) Johnny Tyler, (13) Ernie Cordier, (14) Bruce MacKenzie, (15) Dennis Barton. Fast qualifier (among 16 cars): Lee, 13.874 seconds. Heat race winners: Johnson, Rattliff.
