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2012 CMP News & Announcements |
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 Canandaigua, NY – June 30, 2012 – Hazy, hot and humid conditions were evident outdoors, yet inside the cockpit veteran Danny Johnson remained cool and totally under control as he paraded through the pack to score a division-high fifth Original Pizza Logs Big-Block Modified feature win of the season Saturday at Canandaigua Motorsports Park.
The second-generation superstar from Rochester charged from 18th starting position to overtake race-long leader Derrick Podsiadlo on lap 23 en route to claiming a commanding 10 car-length victory over Watertown's Billy Dunn in the headline 35-lapper.
 Joining Johnson in victory lane on Canandaigua Carpets-Corby's Collision Night were Justin Henderson (Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman), Russ Marsden (Parts Plus Street Stock), Vance Vanderwall (Pure Stock) and Daryl Nutting (New Legends Sportsman). Ryan Widrick took top honors in the 1-on-1 Spectator Drag Races to cap off another entertaining evening in Canandaigua.
Career win number 77 at the Ontario County Fairgrounds moves Johnson within striking distance of defending champion Matt Sheppard (finished 9th) as 20 points now separate two of the area's hottest commodities in their bid for the coveted Canandaigua crown with two full months still left on the 2012 CMP schedule.
“Wins and championships are what we race for, and the money to pay the bills and get us to the track,” remarked Johnson, who still trails older brother Alan Johnson, last Saturday's winner for the 115th time at the hallowed half-miler. Alan settled for 12th-place this weekend, his first finish outside the Top-10 in 12 events run to date.
“We weren't sure about the outcome tonight. Had trouble early with the car, missed hot laps and almost didn't make the heat. The crew did it again and got us going when it counted. The car was really sweet once it settled in, couldn't ask for much more,” added Johnson.
While pole-sitter Podsiadlo paced the 26-car field from the start, Johnson had to contend with row nine partner Sheppard alongside and Alan just ahead, with Jimmy Phelps, Gary Tomkins and Dunn handicapped further forward. Riding the rim around the smooth and growing slicker speedway, the Mastin-powered Honeoye Auto Parts no. 27J Page Trucking-Waste Management/Bicknell mount was up to the challenge as Johnson closed in on the front-five after only 10 laps.
As the laps clicked off so did the cars that stood in the way of Johnson and his march to the front that kept friends and foes pulling in opposite directions. He grabbed fifth from Chad Homan on lap 12, overtook Dave Allen the next time around, and needed only a couple more to dispose of Mike O'Brien and slide past Rich Scagliotta. Podsiadlo was the final victim as Johnson chased down the Penn Yan pilot and sailed past high as the leaders crossed the line with still a dozen circuits to go.
Phelps forced out the lone yellow flag on lap 32 when he slowed between turns three and four, only tightening the pack behind Johnson as a clear track ahead gave the 'Doctor' ample room to operate in the final dash to the checkers. The only caution period was just what Dunn needed as he stole second from Podsiadlo on the last lap while Tomkins and Scagliotta rounded out the Top-5.
“I'm pretty fortunate this year to have a really good hot rod under me,” reflected Johnson, who didn't crack the winner's circle last year until mid-July and won three by September. “The guys just keep on working, giving me a great car and we're able to get the job done. I like being here (victory lane), there's no doubt about that. It's something you never get tired of, especially with all your friends, family and the fans around.”
The 25-lap Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman feature was less dramatic yet just as satisfying for Henderson after the Canandaigua local led flag-to-flag to post his second victory of the season in convincing fashion.
“Can't say enough about this car, the team and everybody that supports us. Would've liked to start a little further back and pass a few cars but a win's a win,” said Henderson, who vaulted from fifth to third in points while his father Todd, still eyeing his first victory of the 2012 campaign, remains second just 16 markers behind reigning CMP points king Dan Wiesner. “Its been such a pleasure to drive.”
The caution-free Sportsman finale resulted in a ride in the park for Henderson after he out-dragging pole-sitter Kane Bristol at the drop of the first green and never looked back in the nine-minute main. The battle behind him was far more intriguing as positions swapped as often as the grooves racers sought in their journey to the front.
Steve Gray tracked down Bristol to secure second on lap 18 after a lengthy duel with Rob Bussey while Kevin Ridley rallied from his 10th starting spot to steal away fourth from Bussey with less than a handful left. Points leader Wiesner made a more significant move as he slid by top title contender Todd Henderson for sixth with just one to go.
“Its good to have local business supporting good local racing,” noted Justin, 26, after posing alongside his silver no. 21 Coors Light-Molson Canadian-Twisted Tea/Bicknell ride. His father sports the Genny Light color scheme on his own blue no. 18H Bicknell entry. “My dad was trying for 15 years to get North American Breweries (Rochester) involved and now I've got some corporate backing from Coors and Boston Beverage (Twisted Tea). We have some great looking cars so its nice to show them off in victory lane.”
Buckled in behind the wheel of the far less flashy white no. 28 Flack's Hi-Rise Concrete Restoration-Coatings Plus Chevrolet Impala, the result was just the same for Marsden on Saturday following a feat that the Mexico, NY chauffeur has pulled off a track-best seven times this season.
“We've been strong just about every week, hats off to Jeremie (Corcoran, CMP Promoter) for giving us such a great place to run,” said Marsden, who still trails three-time winner and defending Parts Plus Street Stock champion Mike Welch by 14 points through a dozen full-fender events. “Last week we might've been even better but lost a distributor wire that cost us. This win certainly makes up for it.”
Blane Smith outdueled front row runner Pat Hobbs on the opening circuit of the 15-lap feature, yet could not hold back Nate Peckham the second time around. Marsden forged the final lead change in a lap four maneuver and opened up a comfortable margin by the halfway mark.
Any advantage was quickly erased when Keith Keuer looped his mount alone in the middle of turns one and two to incur the only caution on lap 11. Back under green, Peckham swapped second with Welch before solidifying his runner-up status with two laps to go. Smith and Hobbs filled out the front-five ahead of Rushville's Scott Smith, the overall Mr. DIRTcar Champion in 2007, making his '12 debut.
The biggest turnout of the season for Pure Stocks made little difference to Vanderwall as the Palmyra pilot stormed from sixth to first at the drop of the green and turned back a final bid by Eric Chapman to garner his division-best sixth win in the 12-lap finale.
“Been having a lot of fun out here,” said Vanderwall, a winner of exactly half the races held this season in Canandaigua's entry-level full-fender division. “And with all the guys getting faster and faster every week it makes the challenge that more fun being able to finish up front.”
Chapman was nearly as quick right from the start, following Vanderwall into second from his eighth-place slot on the original 14-car grid. The orange no. 742 Pulcini Contracting-Carriage Stop Restoration Chevrolet Monte Carlo machine remained comfortably out front until Chapman made a final surge low in turn three under a lapped car as the lead duo ran the final lap. When the dust cleared, it was Vanderwall by three car-lengths over Chapman while Marc Minutolo outlasted his father Mike Sr. and Roger Bush to round out the Top-5.
“I saw Eric's fender at the end and wasn't sure where to go,” divulged Vanderwall, after hitting double digits with his 10th career checkered flag at Canandaigua. “So I had to make a choice and do it fast. Fortunately, going up top in traffic worked out.”
Improving one position from the previous Saturday, the high line also suited Nutting as the weekly regular from New York's capital district swept around race-long leader Frank Guererri Jr. on lap nine and cruised home to claim his second Legends Sportsman feature.
“Its well worth the trip, this track is awesome,” beamed Nutting, a loyal crewman for Big-Block star Matt Sheppard, who makes the three-hour haul west into wine country every week from his home in Ballston Spa. “I just love it out here, definitely a dream being able to race at Canandaigua. Hopefully, I can move up to the regular Sportsman class next year if everything goes right.”
Nutting was right on this night as he sped past last week's winner Jeff Davoli on lap four and mirrored division rookie Guererri until rolling past in the extended 15-lap race for aspiring open-wheel drivers. Billy Brown slipped by Davoli on the final circuit to snag the show position while Phil Vigneri III crossed the stripe fifth.
The 1-on-1 Spectator exhibition attracted 10 entries with Watertown's Widrick strapped inside his black '07 Suburu WRX taking the first-place trophy over Jon Every's red '95 Ford Mustang in the single-elimination special conducted on the front straightaway to kick off intermission.
Summer swings into full gear when Canandaigua Motorsports Park stages its first show of the month as Syracuse Nationals headlines the July 7 card. The post 'Fourth of July' celebration continues with Castner Performance 305 Sprints joining a full program of Original Pizza Logs Big-Block Modified, Safety Awareness Solutions Sportsman, Parts Plus Street Stock, Pure Stock and New Legends Sportsman action. Pit gates unlock at 4pm, grandstands open at 5pm and the first qualifying heat goes green at 7pm.
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