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BREWERTON, NY – On Friday night at the Brewerton Speedway, Willy Decker was able to wrestle the lead away from Alan Johnson on the final lap of the 35-lap feature event to claim his first career DIRTcar Modified win.
“This is a great win,” stated Decker in victory lane. “This is especially good because this is my first Big Block Modified win.”
Johnny Hill led the field to the green and quickly moved out in front aboard his no. 160. He paced the field for the first two circuits when Roy Breshnhan passed him on the outside of the speedway.
Breshnhan was strong during the early portions while Decker and Johnson worked their way to the front of the 24-car field.
Decker moved into the runner-up position from the ninth starting spot on lap 14 and two laps later he worked to Breshnhan’s inside in turn two to take the lead.
Upon securing the top spot, Decker continued to work the bottom of the speedway in an attempt to pull away from the field while Johnson maneuvered his way into the runner-up position on lap 18
By lap 22, Johnson was able to close in on Decker and pass him on the outside of turn four to take the top spot away from the Vernon, N.Y. native.
“He (Johnson) was really good on the outside,” stated Decker. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to stay with him or not because he flew by me.”
Decker was able to hang with Johnson and waited until the final corner of the final lap to take his shot at the win.
As Johnson raced into turn three, Decker drove his Bicknell ride to the inside and the two made contact. Johnson jumped the cushion and Decker drove off of turn four the leader and claimed the victory.
“He (Johnson) left the lane open when he got into three and I knew I had to take a shot,” said Decker. “Alan would have done the same thing I did if he was in the same situation.
“I’ve been trying the last few weeks to get my first win and tonight I was finally able to pull it off.”
Johnson was not pleased with the move Decker used to take the lead away forcing him to finish second and he discussed the situation with Decker while the two sat waiting to be weighed after the event.
“I raced him clean and I didn’t appreciate what he did,” said Johnson. “I passed him on the outside and we never touched yet he did that on the last lap.”
Johnson seems to finally have the right setup in his Morrison powered Bicknell as he worked through the field with very few mistakes.
“The car was really good on the outside of three and four,” said Johnson. “I think the right rear gave up a little near the end but overall the car was right where it needed to be.”
Jim Witko Jr. finished in third with his Bicknell mount. Witko, who started eighth on the field, made constant progress toward the front.
“I thought we were just as fast as the top two guys,” stated Witko. “Either way I’m just happy to walk out of here with another strong finish.”
Tom Sears Jr. finished in fourth while Pennsylvania driver, Dan Vauter completed the top five.
In other action, Dale Caswell captured the 20-lap IMCA Modified feature; Dan Williams won his fifth ESDCA Mod Lite feature; Matt Wetterer won the 15-lap 4-Cylinder Super Stock feature; Josh Herbert won the Enduro.
Brewerton Bits
Heat races were won by Tom Juhl Jr., Witko and Decker.
Kevin Bates broke a rear axle during the feature event.
Jimmy Phelps did serious damage to the front of his family owned Troyer ride in a lap 26 incident.
Chuck Bower got a right rear flat with five laps remaining and sat out the closing laps out of harms way in the infield.
DIRTcar MODIFIEDS (35-Laps) – WILLY DECKER, Alan Johnson, Jim Witko Jr., Tom Sears Jr., Dan Vauter, Mike Bowman, Kenny Stafford, Johnny Hill, Kyle Lewis, Joe Isabell, Paul Kinney, Chuck Bower, Roy Bresnhan, Jimmy Phelps, Kevin Bates, Rick Rogala, Matt Fink, Sean Beardsley, Tim Sears, Brian Murphy, Tom Juhl Jr., Jeff Isabell, Mike Defreitas. DNS – Scott Prentice.
IMCA MODIFIEDS (20-Laps) – DALE CASWELL, Pete Anderson, Kevan Cook, Greg Kimball, Rich Riggs, Tony Finch, Les Hubbard, Tim Hearne, Bill Anderson Jr., Dale Jewett, Coleen Finch, Rob Keller Jr., Bob Ridgeway, JJ Courcy, Larry Bezner, Rich Townsend, Ricky Orton, Calvin Painter, Johnny Bell, Dave Talbot, Brian Evenden, Mike Jones, Steve Coit, Jeff Cardinale.
ESDCA MOD LITES (20-Laps) – DAN WILLIAMS, Matt Magner, Ken Gamlen, Justin Crisafulli, Doug Williams, Joe Gwilt, Tim Devendorf, Rocco Leone, Tod Simons, Mike Isabell, Rich Rainville, Jeff Barker, Barry Virts, Mike Mullen, Dave Trytek, Jeff Hays, Lowell Zehr, Jeff Williams, Jeff Blackburn, Kelly Skinner, Terry Latham, Keith Hotchkiss, Lisa Thomas, Lorrie Herbert, Tommy Felicia, Matt Rainville, Chuck DeMott, Joe Garafolo, Mike Virginia, Jeff Herbert, Mike Rainville.
4-CYLINDER SUPER STOCKS (15-Laps) – MATT WETTERER, Claude Hutchings Jr., Chuck Powelczyk, Chad Dupra, Matt Fay, Chris Kranz, Jessica Herbert, Aron Backus, Steve Randall, Andy Kieffer, Eric Kranz, Sam Carista, Lorraine Powelczyk.
4-CYLINDER ENDURO (20-Laps) – JOSH HERBERT, Jerry Curcie Jr., Devon Rookey, Chris Bonoffski, Jon Shumway.
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