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SELINSGROVE, P.A. – Carrying the momentum gained at the end of last season, Danny Johnson, of Rochester, N.Y., captured Saturday afternoon’s Race of Champions Icebreaker 50 II at the Selinsgrove Speedway. Johnson was awarded the victory after Ryan Godown’s No.26 modified came up light on the scales.
"I'm an experienced driver and they are an experienced team,” stated Johnson in Victory Lane. “When we got together it was a good combination. To be honest with you I don’t know how you can beat it with all of the experience this team has."
Johnson started ninth in his Mike Petruska owned JPM powered Teo. By the time lap ten clicked off Johnson had moved inside the top five. On lap 17, Decker bobbled in the third turn and gave the second position to Johnson.
Once in second, Johnson tried to chase down Godown in the closing laps but he was unable to do so. Godown crossed the line ahead of Johnson but came up 14 pounds light on the scales giving the victory to Johnson which earned him $4,100 and a guaranteed starting position in Utica-Rome Speedway’s Victoria 200 which pays $1,000 to take the green.
Decker, of Sydney, N.Y., scored a second place finish in his John Wight owned No. 91. Jeff Strunk started in ninth and was able to finish third. Stewart Friesen earned the hard-charger award as he came from inside of the tenth row to finish in fourth. Jimmy Horton completed the top five.
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BREAKING THE ICE: Richie Pratt and Doug Hoffman brought the 27 car field to the initial green flag with Pratt jumping out to the early advantage.
BLOWING SMOKE: By lap 10, Pratt had encountered the tail of the field and his No. 0 began showing smoke out of the backend. That smoke ultimately ended his evening on lap 16 and handed the lead over to Godown.
TAKING SECOND: Racing got back underway with Godown leading with Decker and Johnson looking for a way by. Decker attempted to get a run underneath Godown in turn three on lap 17 and he got in too low. He hit some moisture forcing him to go up the track which handed the runner-up position to Johnson.
“Decker got up the track and the car got around on him,” commented Johnson. “I was able to avoid him and get by on the inside.”
TRYING TO TRACK HIM DOWN: Johnson ran second for the remainder of the race in his No. 66. At times he seemed to be quicker than Godown, but he was never able to make a move on Godown to challenge for the lead.
“I think we were both (Godown) about equal,” stated Johnson. “I could have tried the top but I didn’t want to go up top and push like other guys did. I felt fast up there but I didn’t want to go up there and have someone pass me on the bottom.”
ONE SPOT SHORT: Godown’s misfortune handed Johnson the win but it also aided Decker as he secured the runner-up finish. Decker may have been the one standing in Victory Lane had he not bobbled in turn three while trying to take the lead.
“I ran into turn three a little too low and got the front wheels into some water,” said Decker. “I hit the brakes and locked the car up. It got me out of shape and pushed me up the race track.”
MISSING THE SETUP: Decker, the reigning Mr. DIRTcar Champion, admitted that his team isn’t as good when they switch from Hoosiers to the ROC series mandated American Racer tires.
“We struggle a little bit when we put the American Racer on,” said Decker. “It doesn’t seem to gel with our team like the Hoosier does. Sometimes we get lucky and hit on something but usually that isn’t the case. It is something we definitely have to work on.”
HARD EARNED THIRD: Stunk, of Mohnton, Pa., scored a well deserved third place finish in his Squeak Motors powered ride after an intense battle with Friesen and defending ROC champion Pat Ward.
“It defiantly got pretty wild and hairy out there,” said Strunk. “There were a few times when Stewart (Friesen) and I were splitting some hairs. It was a lot of fun though.”
QUALIFYING: Heat races for the 56 cars in attendance were won by Brett Hearn, Larry Wight, Joey Grammes, Godown, Rich Ricci Jr. and Mike Iles. Consolation event wins went to Friesen, Billy Pauch and Michael Storms.
Icebreaker 50 II Results: Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Jeff Strunk, Stewart Friesen, Jimmy Horton, Jr., Duane Howard, Joey Grammes, Michael Storms, Larry Wight, Bobby Trapper, Pat Ward, Earl Paules, Rich Scagliotta, Jackie Brown, Jr., Butch Tittle, Troy Wink, Mike Colsten, Rich Ricci, Jr., Rick Laubach, Doug Hoffman, Brian Weaver, Ray Swinehart, Richie Pratt, Jr., Billy Pauch, Brett Hearn, Billy Pauch, Jr. DNQ: Sean Merkel, Jeremiah Shingledecker, Brent Boyer, Mark Forte, Jr., Danny Tyler, Dave Jenkins, Steve Paine, Ron Cartwright, Jr., Billy Van Pelt, Rich Wegner, Jr., David Van Horn, Jimmy Chester, Ray Bliss, Jr., JR Crouse, Del Rougeux, Matt Sheppard, Doug Manmiller, Chad Brachmann, Danny Hieber, Jeff Brownell, Danny Creeden, Joey Colsten, Darwin R. Greene, Tommy Scheetz, Jr., John Stangle.
DNS: Ricky Yetter, Ryan Watt, Mark Frankhouser.
DQ; Ryan Godown.
SCRATCHED; Mike Iles.
LAP LEADERS; Pratt (1-16), Godown (17-50)
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