CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — Upping his ASCS Regional win count to 31, R.J. Johnson led just the closing two laps during Friday’s ASCS CAS Non-Winged season opener at Central Arizona Speedway.
Taking $1,500 for his preliminary night score, the win is Johnson’s 10th with the series.
Chasing race-long-leader, Brody Roa, the California shoe looked to have a sure thing going. Fending off the field through several restarts, Roa put distance on his challengers at every turn; however, the closing laps of the Steffey Shootout took a turn as the No. 8m began losing speed with under five laps to run.
Seeing the nearly two-second gap begin to fade, Johnson, who had been chasing since Lap 6, shot into the lead as the field came around to the white flag.
Winning by 0.946 seconds, the No. 51 was pursued by Ty Mihocko to the checkered flag, with Jonas Reynolds ending up on the final podium step. Dustin Burkhart was fourth, with Brody Roa able to hold on to finish fifth.
The finish:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 51-RJ Johnson[6]; 2. 3-Tye Mihocko[8]; 3. 0-Jonas Reynolds[2]; 4. 22AZ-Dustin Burkhart[4]; 5. 8M-Brody Roa[1]; 6. 5AZ-James Webster[18]; 7. 007-Wayne Siddle[14]; 8. (DNF) 11-Ricky Lewis[11]; 9. (DNF) 7OH-Bryan Ledbetter Jr[7]; 10. (DNF) 3V-Jim Vanzant[3]; 11. (DNF) 6-Logan Calderwood[9]; 12. (DNF) 20-Shon Deskins[13]; 13. (DNF) 10-Jess Beckett[10]; 14. (DNF) 34-Sterling Cling[5]; 15. (DNF) 61-Chad Stevens[15]; 16. (DNF) 2-AJ Hernandez[12]; 17. (DNF) 4-Tuesday Calderwood[19]; 18. (DNS) 98-Matt Lundy; 19. (DNS) 6X-Ronnie Clark
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