Alan Johnson Takes Win At Fulton Speedway

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After engine problems in early May that sidelined the Bully’s Truck Stop, No.14j Alan Johnson returned behind the wheel of that car Saturday night at the Fulton Speedway. When all was said and done Johnson won in convincing fashion in the green-to-checker 35-lap DIRTcar Modified feature on Little League night. Other winners on the night were, Sammy Reakes, DIRTcar Crate Sportsman Modifieds, Dave Mannise, UMP Street Stocks, John Wilbur, E&V Energy Rookie Crate Modifieds and Jon Shumway, Four Cylinder Enduros.

Dave Reilley jumped out to the early lead in the DIRTcar Modified feature followed closely by John Pfeffer and Chad Phelps as the rest of the field fought for early positions.

By lap-5 all eyes were on Alan Johnson from his twelfth starting position as he was picking off multiple cars on every lap as they car would go wherever he put it on the speedway. On lap-6 Johnson disposed of Pfeffer and took off after leader Reilley.

Using patience and not abusing his tires, running the bottom, Johnson reeled in Reilley and took the lead on lap-12 exiting turn four.

When the race reached halfway Johnson was out front setting a steady pace while building up a full straightaway lead. Ryan Phelps, Pfeffer, Reilley and Kevin Bates ran second through fifth.

At the 10-to-go signal even lapped traffic couldn’t slow Johnson down as he built up a 5 second lead. With a little over a handful of laps to go Jimmy Phelps moved into third and was having a great battle with Ryan Phelps. Jimmy Phelps kept pulling alongside of Ryan Phelps but Ryan dove a steady line and maintained the runner-up spot.

At the finish it was Johnson by a wide margin with Ryan Phelps, Jimmy Phelps, Pfeffer and Chad Phelps rounding out the top five.

“It sure does feel good getting back here (Victory lane) I can’t thank my guys enough,” said Johnson. “We had to make a few changes tonight but the car worked great anywhere.”

Jon Tesoriero jumped out to the early lead in the 20-lap DIRTcar Crate Sportsman Modified 20-lap feature with Jim Evans on the back bumper of Tesoriero as they raced for the lead. The yellow flew on lap-3, as A.J. Kingsley took a vicious hit into the front stretch wall. Kingsley was okay but his night was ended on the back of a wrecker.

With the early laps clicking off the lap counter Tesoriero and Evans were still fighting for the lead. Sammy Reakes IV who started 11th made quick work of the cars ahead of him and quickly caught the two leaders. Tesoriero, Evans and Reakes went three-wide down the back straight with Reakes gaining the advantage and being scored the leader on lap six.

When the race reached the halfway point Reakes had opened up a healthy lead with Tom Juhl, Jim Evans, John Pietrowicz and Jason Parkhurst who started 14th trying to chase down the leader.

With Reakes still maintaining a ten car-length advantage with five laps to go, the race for second was side-by-side and nose-to-tail between Juhl and Parkhurst. Jeremy Pitcher in the Stewart Garrison No.54x and Beth Schneider were fourth and fifth.

At the finish Reakes won by a full straightaway followed by Juhl, Parkhurst, Pitcher and Pietrowicz.

“I get real paranoid when I’m in the lead, I looked at the scoreboard and figured the 17 (Juhl) was right on my bumper,” said Reakes after exiting his Whittakers Trophy Auto Sales No.17k. “The track was three wide tonight and that really helped us get to the front tonight.”

With other tracks raining out, a stellar field of UMP Street Stocks looked for the top prize in the 20-lap feature.

Steve Woodworth jumped out to an early lead and quickly put some distance between himself and the rest of the field. Jim Wallace , Mitch Pietrowicz, Nick Rizzo and Andy Fisk chased the leader.

Woodworth by lap-5 still had the lead but the race behind him was side-by-side with positions changing all over the speedway between Dave Mannise, Fisk, Wallace and Rizzo.

After a quick yellow Mannise grabbed the lead but it would be anything but easy for Mannise to grab his fifth Fulton win of season.

As the race went on Mike Welch and Scott Smith moved into second and third and moved in on Mannise. Then with the end of the race in sight Mike Welch found bite on the bottom. Mannise and Welch raced side-by-side with Smith right there waiting for the top two to make a mistake.

A late yellow would make the difference in the race. On the restart Mannise moved to the bottom where Welch was gaining his momentum, from there Mannise won by a few car lengths. Welch, Scott Smith, Blaine Smith and Bubba Burnell were the top five.

“I have to thank Welch for running me clean,” said Mannise. “I can’t thank my crew enough, I work all the time and leave the car to the crew to make fast. They ever quit I’ll just park it in the garage.”

John Wilbur picked up his fourth win of the season in the E&V Energy Rookie Crate Sportsman Modifieds. Mark Olmstead, Jr., Katelyn Kane, Joe Kline and Dan Hill chased Wilbur across the line.

“Once again I can’t thank the Reakes family enough. They set the car up and tell me what to do. It’s been great,” said a smiling winner.”

Jon Shumway once again found victory lane in the 25-lap Four Cylinder Enduro. Jerry Herbert, Skip DeGroff, Marck Johnston and Kevin Hendrix were second through fifth.

RACE NOTES – After Alan Johnson’s feature win a protest was put up to have his engine checked. After the engine cooled and all tests were performed, Johnson’s motor passed all tech to the satisfaction of both the Tech Team and the Race Team who put up the protest. Next week at the Fulton Speedway the CNY MINI SPRINTS will be in town along with a regular card of Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks, E&V Energy Rookie Crate Sportsman and Four Cylinder Enduros. Admission prices will be – Adult 15 and Over-$14 – Children 10 to 14-$7 and Kids 9 and under Free. Gates open at 5:00 with racing at 7:00. Any questions you can call the speedway office at 315-593-6531 or visit www.fultonspeedway.com

(DIRTcar MODIFIEDS – 35-Laps) Alan Johnson, Ryan Phelps, Jimmy Phelps, John Pfeffer, Chad Phelps, Steve Hulsizer, Jim Witko Jr., Tom Sears Jr., Kevin Bates, Tim Sears, Dave Reilley, Sean Beardsley, Roy Bresnahan, Vinnie Vitale, Kyle Lewis, Joe Isabell, Tony Steiner, Rob Hile, Danny Johnson, Dale Planck, Mike Bowman, Bob Bennett, Pete Taylor

(DIRTcar CRATE SPORTSMAN – 20-Laps) Sammy Reakes IV, Tom Juhl Jr.,Jason Parkhurst, Jeremy Pitcher, John Pietrowicz, Beth Schneider, Jordan Bennett, Sammy Reakes III, Jim Evans, Jason Occhino, Jon Tesoriero, Billy Clark Jr., Mike Fowler, Tim Currier, Eric Giguere, Brad Townsend, Sean McCarthy, Mike McCarthy, Gregg Carner, Timmy Sears Jr., Matt Hulsizer, Chris Hile, A.J. Kingsley

(UMP STREET STOCKS – 20-Laps) – Dave Mannise, Mike Welch, Scott Smith, Blaine Smith, Frank Brunell Jr., Ron Hawker, Andy Fisk, Jim Wallace, Dave Pope, Mitch Pietrowicz, Steve Woodworth, Justin Crisafulli, Ray Smith, Bill Thomas, Debbie Whalen, Pete Kowalaski, Nick Rizzo, Quinton Burton, Chuck Thomas, John Denslow.

(E&V ENERGY ROOKIE CRATE SPORTSMAN-15 LAPS)- John Wilbur, Mark Olmstead, Jr., Katelyn Kane, Joe Kline, Dan Hill, Tom Banks, Doug Cook, Claude Hutchings, Jr., Ben Wheeler, Ron Ingison, Gary Nickerson, Chris Pullen, Mark Noga, Scott Fowler.

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