Travis Johnson claims NCRA Sport Mod opener

[rebelracewriter]

Travis Johnson Claims NCRA Sport Mod Opener

Park City, Kansas May 4, 2014 - After suffering a DNF in his heat race, former tour champion Travis Johnson of Enid, Oklahoma worked his way through the field, took the lead just past the races midway point and never looked back in claiming the season opener for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Precise Racing Products sport modified division Sunday night at 81 Speedway in Park City.

Cleo Adams and former two-time tour champion Chad McNamara started on the front row for the twenty lap feature with McNamara taking the lead as the green flag fell. However the start would quickly be waved off as Andrew Wallace and Chris Balthrop got together on the front stretch.

The complete restart was much the same as the original with McNamara jumping out front in his familiar #327 as Adams, defending champion Mark Harrison and Darrell Thompson gave chase. The leader would open a three car length advantage before Andy Deterding got together with another car and spun off the top of turn two on lap five.

Another caution fell on lap seven and on the double file restart; Adams pulled even with McNamara and would jump into the lead exiting turns one and two. Johnson, who had worked himself up from his thirteenth starting position, took over the runner up spot from McNamara and set his sights on the leader.

A caution at the races midway point again caused a double file restart and thats when Johnson got his break as he outran Adams entering turns one and two and took the lead heading down the back stretch. The career feature winner for the division quickly opened up a half stretch lead over the field while behind him the battle for the runner up position began to take shape as Harrison passed Adams for that position on lap fourteen. It was at that point when Chris Lyons spun in turns one and two causing a caution and on the restart McNamara, who was running fourth, made it three wide down the front stretch to make it a three car battle for second. Harrison as the unlucky driver as he caught the front stretch wall, breaking his right front wheel and tire. Harrison would go pit side, make necessary changes and return for a ninth place finish.

On the final restart Adams tried to get by the leader but there was no stopping Johnson on this night as he cruised to his 11th career NCRA sport mod victory and third at 81 Speedway. Adams, McNamara and Steve Little would wage a three car battle for the runner up position with McNamara claiming that spot with just two laps to go. Adams settled for third while Little came home a strong fourth. Former tour champion Todd Decker was involved in several near mishaps and once racing action calmed down was able to salvage a fifth place finish.

The next event for the NCRA sport modified tour will be held on Saturday night, May 31st at Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo, Texas.

NCRA Sport Mods at 81 Speedway/ Park City, Kansas, May 4, 2014

14 Cars

1st Heat: 1) Chad McNamara, 2) Mark Harrison, 3) Steve Little, 4) Todd Decker, 5) David Fisher, 6) Andrew Wallace, 7) Travis Johnson

2nd Heat: 1) Cleo Adams, 2) Darrell Thompson, 3) Andy Deterding, 4) Greg Deterding, 5) Chris Lyons, 6) Chris Balthrop, 7) Kyle Wiens

A Feature: 1) Travis Johnson, 2) Chad McNamara, 3) Cleo Adams, 4) Steve Little, 5) Todd Decker, 6) Greg Deterding, 7) Andy Deterding, 8) Darrell Thompson, 9) Mark Harrison, 10) Chris Lyons, 11) Kyle Wiens, 12) Chris Balthrop, 13) David Fisher, 14) Andrew Wallace

Lap Leaders: McNamara 1-7; Adams 8-10; Johnson 11-20