C.J. Johnson Revs Up ASCS Rocky Mountain Region at RPM Speedway
Lonnie Wheatley

HAYS, Kan. (Sept 1) – C.J. Johnson moved one stop closer to his first American Sprint Car Series Rocky Mountain Region championship by snaring his third series triumph of the year in Saturday night's 25-lap feature at RPM Speedway.

Johnson took command on a lap four restart and survived a late bid from Jason Martin to take the win aboard the Two Dot Tech/Doodles of Poodles No. 45x Maxim.

With Johnson starting fifth, it was polesitter Joe McCarthy snaring the lead at the drop of the green flag over fellow front row starter Martin. McCarthy's pace was slowed after three rounds when the caution flew for Luke Cranston.

Johnson battled past McCarthy on the restart and paced the field until another caution flew after 19 laps for Josh Flood. With a lapped car separating Johnson from second-runner Martin on the restart, Martin made quick work of the lapper and closed to Johnson's tailtank when Ricky Montgomery stalled to bring out one final caution on the white-flag lap.

Martin made a bid for the lead, but Johnson held sturdy to post the win in front of Martin, Derek Drown, McCarthy and Keith Rauch. Cranston raced back to sixth, with Mark Walinder, Chad Corken, John Jacob and Scott Cochran completing the top ten.

ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Results from RPM Speedway:

Heat Winners (10 Laps): Derek Drown, C.J. Johnson.

Pole Dash (5 Laps): 1. 19-Joe McCarthy, 2. 12x-Jason Martin, 3. 71-Keith Rauch, 4. 20-Luke Cranston, 5. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 6. 31rb-Derek Drown.

“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 45x-C.J. Johnson, 2. 12x-Jason Martin, 3. 31rb-Derek Drown, 4. 19-Joe McCarthy, 5. 71-Keith Rauch, 6. 20-Luke Cranston, 7. 6-Mark Walinder, 8. 11-Chad Corken, 9. 71J-John Jacob, 10. 16-Scott Cochran, 11. 77-Mark Sweet, 12. 7-Roger Sundquist, 13. 9m-Ricky Montgomery, 14. 31-Josh Flood, 15. 93-Bob Schaeffer, 16. 72-Steven Richardson. DNS: 57-Don Stoutner.

ASCS Rocky Mountain Region Points (Top Ten): 1. C.J. Johnson 1,930, 2. Keith Rauch 1,848, 3. Chad Corken 1,363, 4. Bob Schaeffer 1,354, 5. Ricky Montgomery 1,278, 6. Mark Sweet 1,255, 7. Patrick Bourke 1,186, 8. Josh Flood 1,139, 9. John Jacob 977, 10. Nick Haygood 847.