PERRIS, Calif. — R.J. Johnson emerged from a hard-fought battle with Tommy “Thunder” Malcolm for most of the 30-lap main event to top Saturday night’s historic Salute to Indy at southern California’s Perris Auto Speedway.
The two-time and defending Avanti Windows & Doors USAC CRA Sprint Car claimed his third win of the season and the fourteenth of his career over “The Pride of Garden Grove” Brody Roa, Eddie Tafoya Jr., Cole Wakim, and “The Big Game Hunter” Austin Williams.
With five official lead changes, there were two distinct grooves that made for exciting battle for the top spot.
The sixth starting Johnson found the low line to his liking in the Petty Performance Racing No. 1p Avanti Windows & Doors / Apache Transport Sherman. Malcolm charged from fifth in Dino Napier’s No. 5x Indiana Truck Salvage / B&B Powder Coating Maxim using the top groove.
By the twenty-first lap, Johnson was expanding his lead and lapping slower traffic before Malcolm’s engine expired five laps later. From there, R.J. sailed to the checkered flags at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds.
The finish:
Feature (30 laps, starting positions in parentheses): 1. R.J. Johnson (6), 2. Brody Roa (4), 3. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (1), 4. Cole Wakim (2), 5. Austin Williams (3), 6. Connor Speir (7), 7. Verne Sweeney (9), 8. Bryan Whitley (10), 9. Brecken Guerrero (11), 10. Drake Cardey (8), 11. Zate Legend (13), 12. David Perry Jr. (14), 13. Tommy Malcolm (5), 14. Dayton Shelton (12).
