Ronnie Johnson gets a boost at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA - Ronnie Johnson is too young to appreciate the music of The Beatles, but he can certainly understand the significance of one of their songs. He knows how to get by with a little help from his friends.

After blowing the engine in his 358 modified on opening night, Johnson returned with a new Enders small block Friday night and picked up his first victory of the season in the 35-lap feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Johnson overhauled Mike Perrotte with three laps to go to record the 13th win of his career at the historic Malta track. But if it hadn't been for friend and sponsor Tim Larned, Johnson probably would have been a spectator.

“This is a brand new engine that Tim Larned bought for us,” said Johnson in victory lane after the win. “If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be here in victory lane tonight.”

Tony Kawalchuk, who had motor problems of his own on opening night, started on the pole and set the pace for the first 16 laps, until Perrotte rocketed into the lead.

Perrotte was never able to get away from the pack, because he had to deal with lapped traffic, and that played right into Johnson's hands when the only caution of the night came out on lap 27.

Johnson found some bite at the top of the track, while Perrotte stayed in the low groove. They ran side by side until Johnson finally got the lead going down the backstretch on lap 32.

Perrotte, who was looking for his first win in four years, had to settle for second. Ironically, the last time Perrotte ran second, on Aug. 17, 2007, he also followed Johnson across the finish line.

“We have to get better,” said Perrotte. “It was a good run, for only the second time out in this new Bicknell car, so I'm happy.”

Todd Stone, Kawalchuk and Dave Camara completed the top five. They were followed by Elmo Reckner, Brett Hearn, opening-night winner Matt DeLorenzo, Ken Tremont Jr. and A.J. Romano.

Josh Hohenforst made quick work of the sportsman field. Dave DePaulo led the first four laps, but once Hohenforst got the lead, he dominated the 25-lap feature and came away with his second career victory at Albany-Saratoga. Rounding out the top five were Matt Depew, Chris Busta, Rob Langevin and Ken Anatriello.

Walt Brownell took the lead with five laps to go and recorded his first career victory in the 25-lap pro-stock feature. Brownell was third on lap 18, but first picked off Vince Santoro, and then passed Cale Kneer for the lead. Jeff Washburn, looking for his second straight win, also made a late charge, but Brownell had a comfortable lead of over one second when the checkered flag fell.

Dan Older came out of the eighth starting spot and picked up his first win of the year in the 20-lap limited feature. Older got the lead on lap 13 and then held off Dan Petronis for the win.

Frank Hoard III is 2-for-2 in the budget sportsman division. Two early cautions helped Hoard grab the lead on lap five, and he held that spot until the end, despite pressure from Ricky Quick in the closing laps.

The mini-stocks were also in action Friday, with Mike Cranston getting the victory.

Albany-Saratoga will return to action Friday with all divisions for the annual Spring Green.

NOTES: There was no shortage of race cars in the pits. The 358 modifieds, sportsman and budget sportsman all drew full fields, with 28 cars taking the green flag in the 358 modified feature.

MODIFIEDS: RONNIE JOHNSON, Mike Perrotte, Todd Stone, Tony Kawalchuk, Elmo Reckner, Dave Camara, Brett Hearn, Matt DeLorenzo, Ken Tremont Jr., A.J. Romano, Mike Ronca, Vince Quenneville Jr., Don Ronca, Dustin Delaney, Ray Hoard, Frank Hoard Sr., Jimmy Cottrell, Marc Johnson, Robert King, Jim Becker, Jeff Trombley, Ken McGuire, Keith Flach, Jack Johnson, Jim Ryan, John Proctor, Gardner Stone, Ron Proctor.

SPORTSMAN: JOSH HOHENFORST, Matt Depew, Chris Busta, Rob Langevin, Ken Anatriello, Kory Sandstedt, Mike Ketchum, Dave DePaulo, Jack Gentile, Stan Lemiesz, Joe Santoro, Pep Corradi, Mike Tholin, Tim Hartman, Robert Bublak, Dave Baranowski, Pat O'Hanlon, Skip Shippee, Rich Ronca, Tyler Curtis, Adam Tranka, Derrick McGrew, Mark Kislowski, Whitey Slavin.

PRO-STOCKS: WALT BROWNELL, Jeff Washburn, Vince Santoro, Cale Kneer, Bob Schmidt, Ed Thompson, Kim Duell, Lori Langevin, Greg McGill, Jim Monroe, Nick Stone, Bernie Companion, Kevin Van Chance, Bill Smith IV, Daryl Carl, Charles Towslee, Mike Paquin, Phil DeFiglio, Jim Groncki, Pete Broderson, Randy Miller,.

BUDGET SPORTSMAN: FRANK HOARD III, Ricky Quick, Seth Howe, Bryan Davis, Jim Nagle, Paul Dunham Jr., Matt Hyde, Anthony Morro, Alex Bell, Fred Proctor Jr., Cullen Howe, Mike Visconti, Peter Carlotto, Al Williams, Chuck Dickinson, Frank Corradi, Mike Budro, Scot Straight, Scott Duell, Ron Ayotte, Ralph Denison, Jared McMahon, Ed Bradt, Jon Bates.

LIMITEDS: DAN OLDER, Dan Petronis, John Filarecki, Rich Howe, Dave Billings, Andy Durie, Mark Lester, Mike Ostrander, David Cook, Jon Miller, Charles Burkhart III, Jeff Monroe, Jim Monroe, No. 112, Brian Ashline, Steve Burch, Mark Dwyer, Shane Marks, Mark Burch, Brien O'Reilly, Megan Purstell.