Danny Johnson wins CCFS 2010 DIRTcar Modified opener‏

WEEDSPORT, NY _ Coming into last Sunday night's 2010 lidlifter for the Cayuga County Fair Speedway, DIRTcar Modified superstar Danny Johnson had won the season opener at the DIRTcar Northeast flagship facility on six different occasions. Johnson, of Rochester, NY, did it again for the seventh time when the checkered flag flew to open the 56th season of the historic facility once.

Cayuga County was able to get the show in despite heavy rains throughout the previous night, which stopped late Sunday morning. Track crews then got onto the track and did a great job in preparing the half-mile oval. Cool temperatures greeted competitors and race fans when the gates opened Sunday afternoon, but it didn't sway the fact that the drivers put on a great show for the fans, who left the track happy after a two-and-a-half hour program. SUNY Canton was the presenting sponsor of the night's activities.

Johnson passed Billy Dunn of Watertown, NY on lap 23 of the scheduled 35 lap DIRTcar Modified feature and kept the youngster at bay as both drivers had to endure heavy lapped traffic for the last half of the race. Johnson ran closely behind Dunn for several laps before making his winning move. It was certainly an exciting way to start the 2010 season as both drivers put on an amazing show.

Dunn had led the race from the drop of the green. Dave Rauscher of Waterloo, NY held on for second in the early stages of the event before Danny slipped by for second on lap four. For the next few laps, Dunn was able to keep a two second lead on Johnson. On lap 13, Johnson was able to drop the defecit to less than a second as lapped traffic reared it's ugly head for both drivers.

With Danny putting heavy pressure on Dunn, Danny went into turn one on lap 23 and slipped by Dunn to take the lead for good. On lap 30, Johnson didn't have a lot of room on Dunn but did have a lapped car in between themselves to help Johnson go on for the victory.

The victory was the first for Danny Johnson and car owner Mike Payne.

While Dunn held on for second, third place went to Steve Paine of Waterloo. Fourth was Rauchser followed by Dale Planck of Cortland, NY in fifth. Rounding out the top ten was Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, NY; Matt Sheppard of Waterloo; Rob Bellinger, Larry Wight and Alan Johnson.

Heat winners were Dunn, Rauscher and Johnson. The consi was won by Austrailian Pete Britten.
Steve Gray led all 25 laps in going on to win the DIRTcar Sportsman feature.

Gray had an early challenge from Jeremy Pitcher at the start of the main. Justin Wright also looked good in the early stages and got up as high as third before coming to a stop just short of the turn one pit entrance on lap eleven bringing out the yellow for the second time in the event.

Tim Sears Jr was now second and holding off the advances of Pitcher as the green reappeared. While Sears was able to keep Gray within his grasp, he really didn't get the opportunity for a pass.

In the final five laps, Gray would stretch the lead a bit as Sears and Pitcher would cross the finish line behind Gray. Fourth was Tom Juhl and fifth was Greg Mrzywka. John Juhl, Adam Hilton, Jim Spano, Ricky Newton and Dave Marcuccilli rounded out the top ten.

Heat winners in the DIRTcar Sportsman division were Gray, Pitcher and Hilton.

In the 20 lap DIRTcar Stock Car (formerly Street Stocks) feature, Mike Welch took the win.

Welch took the lead on lap 15 when then-leader Frank Burnell got caught behind a slower moving car up on the high groove, allowing Welch to move ahead for good.

Burnell held on for second followed by Andy Fisk in third. Nate Peckham was fourth followed by Ron Hawker. Rounding out the top ten was Chris Fisher, Mike Schulz, Mike Rasback, Russ Marsdan and Dan Hoffman Sr.

Heat winners were Burnell and Hawker.

In the 20 lap DIRTcar Battlekarz feature, "Nitro" Nick Werner picked up the victory. Bill Werner made it a family affair when he took second place at the finish. Third went to Matt Dawson followed by Chris Bonoffski and James Werner in fifth. Rounding out the top ten was Dave Nagledinger, Terry Royce, Karl Werner, Keith Butler Jr and Charles Selten.

Heat winners were Bill Werner and Nick Werner.

A total of 82 cars slipped into the Cayuga County Fair Speedway pit area.

This Sunday (April 25th), it's Weedsport Community Night. All Weedsport residents will get into the speedway free of charge with proof of residency. A regular program of DIRTcar Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and DIRTcar BattleKarz. Race time is set for 5pm. Pit gates will open at 2pm with grandstands opening at 3pm.

For more information, please call the DIRTcar Northeast office at 315-834-6606 or go online at cayugacountyfairspeedway.com.

CAYUGA COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY FEATURE RUNDOWN-APRIL 18, 2010

DIRTCAR MODIFIED FEATURE (35 LAPS) DANNY JOHNSON, Billy Dunn, Steve Paine, Dave Rauscher, Dale Planck, Jimmy Phelps, Matt Sheppard, Rob Bellinger, Larry Wight, Alan Johnson, Tom Sears Jr, Mike Bowman, Derrick Podsiadlo, Ryan Phelps, Chad Phelps, Tim Currier, Jeff Brownell Jr, Kevin Bates, Chad Homan, Pete Britten, Eric Fisher, Boyd MacTavish, Paul Habeck, Lance Willix II.

DIRTCAR SPORTSMAN FEATURE (25 LAPS) STEVE GRAY, Tim Sears Jr, Jeremy Pitcher, Tom Juhl, Greg Mrzywka, John Juhl, Adam Hilton, Jim Spano, Ricky Newton, Dave Marcuccilli, Robert Humphreys, Dave Emmons, Joe Cook, Earl Rudy, Ben Wheeler, Loren Lincoln, Tim Downs, Tim Snyder, Justin Wright, Bill Anderson Jr, Fran Hilton, Matt Hitchcock, Christine Martin, Marcus Dinkins.

DIRTCAR STOCK CARS FEATURE (20 LAPS) MIKE WELCH, Frank Burnell, Andy Fisk, Nate Peckham, Ron Hawker, Chris Fisher, Mike Schultz, Mike Rasback, Russ Marsdan, Dan Hoffman Jr, Jack Terrell, Dan Hoffman Sr, Mike Vaughan.

DIRTCAR BATTLEKARZ (20 LAPS) NICK WERNER, Bill Werner, Matt Dawson, Chris Bonoffski, James Werner, Dave Nageldinger, Terry Royce, Karl Werner, Keith Butler Jr, Charles Selten, Andrew Failmezger, Tim Dunn.

Contact: Dave Roberts
DIRTcar NorthEast PR
droberts@dirtcar.com
(315)834-6606