The race fans made us all aware that Ronnie Johnson’s Modified feature event win last Friday night at Albany Saratoga Speedway was a popular one.  The victory was Johnson’s second of the season at the Malta oval.

Johnson was a front runner for the entire 35 lap distance but as the race progressed so did his performance. With 10 circuits remaining Johnson grabbed the race lead from a strong running Keith Flach.

It was Johnson’s 19^th career win at the ‘Great Race Place’ placing him ninth on the speedway’s all-time win list (Johnson’s dad Jack sits in second with 90 victories).

“Early on I got trapped on the bottom and these guys got away from me,” explained Johnson.  “Once I got clear it seemed like I really couldn’t run him (Flach) down and then I started searching around and found something on the bottom that really worked and I started catching him.”

Johnson was quick to talk about his legend dad Jack —  “It’s no secret, we’ve been going through a rough time this year with my dad so it’s really satisfying,” said Johnson from victory lane.  “I know he’s home watching this on the race monitor and he’s real proud right now so we’re ready to go home and bring him the trophy.”

Ironically Johnson’s protégé, Connor Cleveland, picked up his first career Sportsman feature event on Friday night.  Johnson has guided Cleveland as a friend and a mentor since Cleveland’s dad purchased a car from Johnson.

Cleveland dedicated his win to Jack Johnson.

“There was a period where I was at the shop for two weeks in a row, and Jack was always in the shop and he would tell me what I should expect after we did this with the car and how the car would feel if we did that,” recalled Cleveland.

The 17 year old is so grateful to the duo —  and grateful for the duo.

On another note, Albany Saratoga Speedway driver Brett Hearn made us proud — Hearn won Tuesday’s Super DIRTcar Modified Series event at I-96 Speedway in Michigan.  Our winningest driver had the fastest lap in time trials, won his qualifying event and took the win in the “Michigan 100.’

Come join us on Friday when the Modified drivers compete for $3,000 to win in the 35 lap feature event.  The Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Pro Stock, Street Stock and 4 Cylinders will make up the schedule of events.  Pit gates open at 4:00 p.m. with the grandstands opening at 5:00 p.m. Race time is 7:00 p.m.  The front gate is $10 for adults, kids under 12 are $2.00.  Entry in the pit area is $20 for members and $25.00 for non-members.

We have watched Stewart Friesen win in just about everything but a Modified — will this be his week???