Wayne Johnson notches Heart O’ Texas ASCS Lone Star Sprint win in borrowed ride

April 17, 2010

Oklahoma City native Wayne Johnson added another notch to the victory column by racing to victory lane in Friday night’s 25-lap American Sprint Car Series Lone Star Region main event at Heart O’ Texas Speedway.

Wayne Johnson. Mike Campbell photo.

Taking the wheel of a second Brian Parker No. 9 entry, Johnson led all the way aboard the H&H Racing-powered Champion Dent Repair Triple-X for his 33rd career overall ASCS feature win.

Johnson took the checkered flag ahead of 2009 ASCS Lone Star points runner-up Brad Welborn, with reigning champion and current points leader Kevin Ramey taking the show position.

Kolt Walker crossed the stripe fourth, with Preston Peebles II rounding out the top five.

Claud Estes was sixth, with Justin Melton, Justin Spoerl, Michael Lang and Brandon Corn completing the top ten.

Peebles, Eric Baldaccini and Brian McClelland topped heat race action for Friday night’s 25-car field.

Baldaccini held down the third position in the main event until flipping with 16 laps in the books. Baldaccini was the second car to turn over in the main, as Andrew Marshala got upside down a handful of laps earlier.

“First off I have to thank Brian and Tina(Parker) for giving me the opportunity,” the winner said after the win. “This is the first I’ve driven for them and he first time I’ve ever been here. I didn’t even see the car until until 7PM last night. I really like this place, it’s racy and has some high banks. Starting up front front helped a lot too.

“These cars are close to being the same now days so jumping into a new ride isn’t that difficult. I travel with my own shocks so I’ve kind of got a base line. They may drive just a tick different and it takes time to get adjusted. The longer it(the race) went the better I felt. I’ve been driving these for for 24 years so it kind of comes natural.

“I run the National Series, a lot of 410 stuff and some Outlaw races. I’ve traveled all over from California to Pennsylvania. This year I don’t have a full time deal. I won the Ronald Laney Memorial down in East Bay(Fla.) and finished second at Devils Bowl. Every race I’ve been in a different car.”

ASCS Lone Star Region Results from Heart O’ Texas Speedway:

First Heat (8 Laps): 1. 0c-Preston Peebles II, 2. 30x-Bean Elliott, 3. 45k-Kolt Walker, 4. 17w-Brad Welborn, 5. 9-Brian Parker, 6. 45-Martin Edwards, 7. 67-Rodney Henderson, 8. 87a-Andrew Marshala, 9. 58-Gary Floyd.

Second Heat (8 Laps): 1. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 2. 74e-Claud Estes, 3. 76-John Ricketts, 4. 6s-Justin Spoerl, 5. 30-Brandon Corn, 6. 22j-John Gaston, 7. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 8. 14-Michael Lang.

Third Heat (8 Laps): 1. 25-Brian McClelland, 2. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 3. 11-Justin Melton, 4. 9x-Wayne Johnson, 5. 5c-Chris Coker, 6. 5m-Glenn Martin, 7. 69h-Larry Howery, 8. 1r-Scott Reneau.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9x-Wayne Johnson, 2. 17w-Brad Welborn, 3. 7m-Kevin Ramey, 4. 45k-Kolt Walker, 5. 0c-Preston Peebles II, 6. 74e-Claud Estes, 7. 11-Justin Melton, 8. 6s-Justin Spoerl, 9. 14-Michael Lang, 10. 30-Brandon Corn, 11. 30x-Bean Elliott, 12. 45-Martin Edwards, 13. 1r-Scott Reneau, 14. 22j-John Gaston, 15. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 16. 5m-Glenn Martin, 17. 9-Brian Parker, 18. 58-Gary Floyd, 19. 4-Eric Baldaccini, 20. 25-Brian McClelland, 21. 76-John Ricketts, 22. 67-Rodney Henderson, 23. 87a-Andrew Marshala, 24. 69h-Larry Howery, 25. 5c-Chris Coker.

ASCS Lone Star Region Points (Top 10): 1. Kevin Ramey 285, 2. Preston Peebles II 260, 3. Bean Elliott 250, 4. Justin Spoerl 246, 5. Kolt Walker 240, 6. (tie) Claud Estes and Justin Melton 238, 8. Brandon Corn 232, 9. Eric Baldaccini 217, 10. John Ricketts 205.

Stewart scores second Modified main win in a row

Academy’s Brandon Stewart took home his second IMCA Modified win a row as he went wire to wire in the 20-lapper. Stewart, driving a car that knows its way to the winners circle, had no easy task as he had to hold off Benji Kirkpatrick early, then Justin Radcliff and Keith Green in the latter stages to go home win his second feature win in a row.

Stewart led the pack out of turn 2 at the start of the IMCA Modified main with Jimmie Helona and Kirkpatrick side by side for second, with Radcliff and Green in pursuit. Kirkpatrick got past Helona on lap 2 and gave Stewart a quick look low in turn 1. Radcliff was next to put Helona back a spot taking third on lap 3. With the top three now nose to tail Green snagged fourth from Helona.

Stewart got some breathing room as Kirkpatrick and Radcliff began to scrap it out for second. Radcliff was unable to complete a pass as the top three singled out again. At halfway it was Stewart, Kirkpatrick and Radcliff on each others bumpers with a gap back to Green and Helona rounding out the top five. Radcliff finally made the pass on Kirkpatrick for second on lap 10 as was quickly on Stewart’s tail for the lead. Kirkpatrick spun while battling with Green on lap 13 to bring out a caution. Once back to green Chris Dawson got along side Pat McGuire now battling for fourth.

Ben Ketteman, Johnny Sheets and Chase Jupe tangled in turns 1-2 to bring out a yellow on lap 15. On the restart Green got by Radcliff for second while Dawson slipped giving up spots to Keith White and Robert Black. Just as the white flag was shown to Stewart, Sheets and Helona got together in turn 4 to bring out the yellow setting up a green, white, checker finish.

When green waved again Radcliff got second back from Green, but yellow was quickly back out for a three-car tangle on th back stretch between McGuire, Kirkpatrick and Eric Tomlinson. The final restart was single file as Stewart tried to hold off Green and Radcliff. Dawson was able to put a slide job on Black for fifth on the final lap. Up front it was Stewart in the D&S Painting, The Paint Specialists, CenTex Motorsports, Hughes Chassis hanging on for the win.

“I finally found my groove and hung with it,” stated Stewart.”I’ve got my bother-in-law(Keith Whites) old car and all you have to do is stand on the gas and it takes you where it needs to go. I kind of take his hand me downs, but they’re all good cars.”

“That’s two in a row. I started up front both times, but I’ve led all the laps. I definitely look at the leader board out there. I’m always looking for Keith. I knew he was coming. Those late cautions were killing me. I was ready to get it over with. On the white flag lap I even bounced it off the wall, but I held on to take the win.”

“Once I find a line I try to stick with it. I felt them back there a couple times. I knew if I hit my spots and held my groove that it would be hard to pass me.”

IMCA Modifieds
2 Brandon Stewart
5g Keith Green
11j Justin Radcliff
1 Keith White
7x Chris Dawson
07 Robert Black
555 Allen Waltermire
303 Chase Jupe
37 Ben Ketteman
21x Jimmie Helona
96 Johnny Sheets
47 Benji Kirkpatrick
9 Pat McGuire
45T Eric Tomlinson
28G Brian Guay—DNS
123 Justin Redman—DNS

IMCA Modified heats
Heat #1
47 Benji Kirkpatrick
2 Brandon Stewart
1 Keith White
21x Jimmie Helona
11j Justin Radcliff
303 Chase Jupe
45T Eric Tomlinson
28G Brian Guay—DNTG

Heat 2
96 Johnny Sheets
9 Pat McGuire
5g Keith Green
37 Ben Ketteman
7x Chris Dawson
07 Robert Black
555 Allen Waltermire
123 Justin Redman—DNS

Green grabs gold in Sportmod scramble

The Green boys made their dad proud as they put away the IMCA Southern Sportmod field with a one-two finish in the 20-lap feature. Hewitt’s, TJ Green took over the lead when Chris Cogburn had a right rear tire go down on lap 15. From there TJ held his comfortable margin over brother Kevin all the way to checkers in the caution free race.

Wade white was first into turn 1 at the start of the 12-car SSM main, but it was Cogburn getting by low off turn 2 to lead lap 1. Bobby Mercer, TJ Green, Johnny Sheets fell in behind while K. Green and W. White were side by side for fifth. TJ Green got under Mercer for second with Sheets looking to follow. Mercer would spin to the infield after contact during that battle, moving defending SSM Champion Keith White up to fifth.

The top three of Cogburn, TJ Green, K. Green, were separated out at halfway with Sheets, K. White and a rapidly closing, Brandon Stewart fighting for fourth. Stewart challenged K. White for a top five spot on lap 14 looking up top on the four-time champ. TJ Green quickly reeled in Cogburn, who was slowing with a flat, and took the point on lap 16. TJ Green, with nearly a straightaway lead over K. Green easily motored to the win in the Greens Automatic Transmissions, Hewitt Gun Shop, Lambs Muffler Center, Hewitt Pawn Shop, Stewart Stainless, Outlaw Racing Engines, Qwik Chassis.

“It’s always a very tough race here,” commented Green. “I just try to be smooth and consistent. Chris (Cogburn) got out front and he caught traffic. We just had things go our way at the right time and it worked out for us.”

“I lean on my dad a lot for set up tips. We talk about what’s going on before the race and what to expect. My big thing is trying to be consistent and make the same laps over and over. When I do that, it normally works out for me.”

“Tonight I was looking at th scoreboard to see who was where. I knew I had my brother behind me, so I was pretty comfortable and just trying to focus on what was ahead of me. I try to race him(Kevin) just like everyone else, but there are times that I might lift for him but not someone else.”

IMCA Southern Sportmods
55 TJ Green
5d Kevin Green
101 Johnny Sheets
1w Keith White
2 Brandon Stewart
11 Mark McDaniel
Sly1 BJ Dulock
65 Randy Doyle
75 Edward Schmidt
5c Chris Cogburn
68 Wade White
5m Bobby Mercer
58 Sid Kiphen—DNS
61 Rick Poteet—DNS

IMCA SSM Heats
Heat #1
1 Keith White
5c Chris Cogburn
65 Randy Doyle
68 Wade White
101 Johnny Sheets
58 Sid Kiphen—DNS
61 Rick Poteet—DNS

Heat #2
55 TJ Green
5m Bobby Mercer
5D Kevin Green
11 Mark McDaniel
2 Brandon Stewart
75 Edward Schmidt
Sly1 BJ Dulock–DNS

Nineteen cars took the green for the IMCA Hobby Stock feature with Zach Henson getting the lead while Garrett Rawls, Andy Roller and Ray Kemp jr. ran three wide for third. Roller came out of the battle with the spot with Kemp and Shannon Dulock side by side now for fourth. Kemp retook the spot on lap 4 as Michael Gaunet, using the top, worked his way along side Dulock.

As Roller tried to work around Jeremy Hendrix for second they made contact with Hendrix collecting several cars in the lead pack. All were able to continue after shaking up the top five. Henson, Kemp, Dulock and Gaunet began to put some distance on the field. Kemp got along side Henson on lap 9 getting the nos out front on lap 10. Henson fought back retaking the point on lap 11, while Gaunet was looking for a way past both.

Kemp re-assumed the point on lap 12 as Gaunet clipped Henson sending him spinning to the infield. Gaunet was black flagged for rough driving a lap later. This left Dulock and Jeremy Oliver battling up front with Kemp for the win. The three were nose to tail as they came to the white flag. Kemp edged out to a car length advantage o the final to hold on for the win.

IMCA Hobby Stocks
45 Ray Kemp jr
47 Shannon Dulock
82 Jeremy Oliver
89 Jeff Sexton
82x Garrett Rawls
5c Chris Cogburn
46 Billy Taylor
1TScott Taylor
63 Andy Roller
23 Les Maxwell
16 Aaron Headrick
95 Dylan Lucko
29 Michael Votaw
63z Zach Henson
c17 Charlie Norris
5R Ricky Rodriguez
18 Jeremy Hendrix
74 Chris Grusendorf
25 Michael Gaunet–BF(Rough driving)

IMCA Hobby Stock heat winners; 25 Michael Gaunet, 5c Chris Cogburn

Tommy Kirkpatrick jumped out front in turn 1 of the 15-lap Street Stock feature and it was all over but who finished second. Kirkpatrick quickly pulled out to a comfortable margin over Doug Andrews, Jason Gauntt, John Heffelfinger and Ed Thompson. David Khoury caught Thompson for fifth and got the spot on la 3. Khoury then closed in on Heffelfinger as they fought it out for fourth.

Up front Kirkpatrick was increasing his margin over Andrews while Matt Hood reeled in Thompson for sixth. Khoury’s top five finish ended when he pulled off from fifth on lap 11. As the checkers waved it was Kirkpatrick easily taking the victory over Andrews.

Street Stocks results
71 Tommy Kirkpatrick
1 Doug Andrews
73 Jason Gauntt
2 John Heffelfinger
181 Ed Thompson
3A Matt Hood
7 Chuck Hamlin
32 Bill Eller
142 Bill Miller
173 David Khoury
74 Lewis Blackwood

Jeff Sheppard grabbed the early lead in the 20-lap Pure Stock feature with Jack Jenkins, Melvin Kemp, Edward Harcrow and Kevin Smith behind. James Holder brought out the yellow early when he stopped in turn 4. On the restart Kemp took second from Jenkins with Tommy Honey moving into the top five. Kemp moved in on Sheppard for the lead and tried to dive down low. The two made contact sending both around in turn 2 to bring out a caution and the obligatory pit confrontation after the race.

With Smith now up front followed by Honey, Jenkins, Jerry Whately and Wade White the green waved for the restart. It wasn’t long until the red was shown for Harcrow who pounded the turn 4 wall. Once back under green Whately go by Jenkins for third on lap 10, followed by White on lap 11 for fifth. Honey then began to put the heat on Smith for lead with looks low.

Yellow waved on lap 14 when Colton Glaser broke and stopped on the front stretch. Once back to green Honey tried the top sneaking by to lead lap 15. With two to go Smith was rechallenging Honey for the top spot taking a look low in turn 2. Honey would go around in turn 4 handing the top spot back to Smith who would motor on to the victory.

Pure Stocks results
57 Kevin Smith
542 Jerry Whately
68 Wade White
22 Jack Jenkins
08 Greg Andrews
54 Melvin Kemp
25C Chad Pelham
15 Michael Glaser
J33 James Haynes
18K Tommy Honey
10 Jeff Wills
02 Colton Glaser
06 Cory Breedlove
3 Edward Harcrow
17 Jeff Sheppard
25 Billy Shaw
0w James Holder

Jr. Jean led the start of the 15-lap Cruiser feature while Jeff Williams and William Dean battled for third. After contact both ended up spinning through the infield but continuing on. Lee Erler saw his second place run end when he suffered a flat right front and was forced to pull off.

Marshall Saucedo, who took over second, ran down Jean near halfway while Jeff Woodruff and Andrew Richards battled for third. Woodruff, who began losing fluid and smoking was black flagged on lap 11. Saucedo gave Jean several looks for the lead but Jean held on for the checkers over Saucedo who failed tech.

Cruisers results
47 Jr Jean
9 Andrew Richards
44 William Dean
16oz Jeff Williams
8w Steve Craig
96j Jeff Woodruff
26 Kevin Harpen
48 Luther Carnahan
28 Billy Williams
21 Lee Erler
44s Anthony Simcik
11 Marshall Saucedo—DQ(Tech)
293 Barry Gaston–DQ(Did not tech)

The Texas Twister feature saw James Webre jump out front early in the 12-lap event but be challenged by Justin Thompson. After a side by side battle Thompson took the lead on lap 3. In the pack Ricky Bobby, Rick Morosky and Mark Kemp battled three wide for third. Webre ran down Thompson in traffic and retook the point on lap 10. The two were side by side as the white flag waved and at the checkers it was Thompson sneaking away with the victory.

Texas Twisters results
1T Justin Thompson
5 James Webre
81 Ricky Bobby
5n Amy Nichols
17 Jay Hutson
5T Shane Arnold
94ak Dena Wachermann
54 Mark Kemp
23 Michael Hilliard
8 Rick Morosky

In the Jr. Mini Stock feature it was Jarrett Roberts easily taking the win over the short field. Roberts got out front and nearly lapped the four-car field on his way to the win.

Jr. Mini Stock results
6 Jarret Roberts
21j Jordan Kornegay
54 Corbin Suggs
21k Kayliegh Kornegay

By J M Hallas and Lonnie Wheatley
Mike Campbell photo

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