DANNY JOHNSON FINDS VICTORY LANE IN THRILLER; TRACK CHAMPIONSHIPS DECIDED NEXT SATURDAY

CANANDAIGUA, NY- It was a fight to the bitter end before “The Doctor” Danny Johnson completed the operation and won the action-packed 35 lap DIRTcar big block Modified feature besting Steve Paine by just 0.536 seconds last night at Canandaigua Speedway. This was Johnson’s first win in three years at the “Land of Legends” and by no means did it come easy. The four-time track champion took the lead on lap 13 with Steve Paine in tow, but during Paine’s multiple failed attempts to get by Johnson he would move back to a three car lead. After a lap 32 caution stacking up the field for a three lap shootout to decide the winner, Paine moved up beside Johnson on the inside lane as the banged nerf bars in turn 2 and all the way down the backstretch. Johnson was able to make some room as the pair hit again at the start finish line on lap 33 to keep a safe distance and take the checkered flag. Following the race, Paine showed his displeasure with Johnson’s driving style and hit the Rochester Americans/Honeoye Auto Parts sponsored car from the rear as they moved down the backstretch, causing a stir in the packed grandstands. Victory Lane was “electric” as fans made their way to the fence only to witness “The Doctor” thanking his sponsors and stating, “I guess someone had to teach him (Paine) a lesson” setting up a “sequel” next Saturday for Championship night. Charlie Donk, Justin Haers and Chad Homan rounded out the top 5.