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Johnson shocks stellar field with night 2 win at Volusia Speedway Park.
Wayne Johnson lost the monkey that rode his back in 2007. The winner of night two of the Alltel Dirtcar Nationals shocked the competition when he blew past both Sam Hafertepe and then Danny Lasoski to take the lead in the late stages of Wednesday night’s feature.
Johnson was winless in 2007, but the Oklahoma driver scored an amazing 23 second place finishes. On Wednesday night he made the statement he wouldn’t settle for another winless season.
Mark Smith led the field of All Star sprinters to the green flag flanked by the Dude, Danny Lasoski. Lasoski quickly established himself as the car to beat opening a comfortable advantage over Smith, Paul May, Tony Bruce and Bryan Paulus.
The event’s first caution flew on lap four when Joey Saldana slowed on the race track. The field bunching behind Lasoski was short-lived, however, as Lasoski quickly opened his advantage again. Two drivers on the move were Hafertepe who’d started 12th, and Craig Dollansky who worked his way through the pack from his 24th place starting spot.
Another caution flew on lap 8 when Daryn Pittman got backwardsin turn three, and the race didn’t stay green long before a hard flip by Brandon Martin in turn one brought out the event’s only red flag.
The action intensified when racing resumed with Craig Dollansky making a pass on Steve Kinser inching closer to the top five. Closer to the front Hafertepe continued to show strength getting past Paul May and closing on Smith.
Lasoski continued to dominate, but Hafertepe finally passed Smith for second place and began reeling in the Dude.
With most eyes on the front of the pack, Wayne Johnson raced under the radar receiving occasional glances and mentions from the announcers.
It was hard not to follow the intensity of Hafertepe catching Lasoski with just five laps to go. The youngster swept to the outside in turn four, but Lasoski kept him at bay briefly.
Hafertepe regrouped and took another run at Lasoski the following lap,and succeeded in making the pass.
His lead was short-lived as Lasoski dove underneath and retook the top spot out of four.
The war was waged between Lasoski and Hafertepe, and as the two dove into turn one – inching up the race track – Johnson came out of nowhere to blast by both racers on the inside.
Johnson didn’t stay to keep the battle for the win alive as the Oklahoma driver drove off to collect the $7,000 payday. Hafertepe hung on to second while Lasoski finished third. Rounding out the top five was Dollansky and Schatz.
“I was trying to pass Hafertepe, and I got such a run that I made the move,” said an elated Johnson in victory lane. “It kinda shocked me.
Tony Stewart and those guys can spend all the money they want. We’re probably one of the lowest buck teams in the pits.”
The UMP Modified race was won by Missouri racer Scott Drake who barely held off hard charging Jarod Landers and Kenny Schrader. |
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