MALTA, N.Y. — Marc Johnson notched his second DIRTcar modified win of the season Friday night at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway by surviving a crash-marred feature run in bits and spurts between a half-dozen cautions and a red flag for a hard flip by last week’s winner Keith Flach.
Demetrious Drellos hit the stripe second, trailed by a surprisingly fast James Meehan, polesitter Elmo Reckner, C.D. Morey, Jeremy Pitts and Jack Lehner.
The 10th-starting Flach’s flier came on the initial start when he caught the outside berm and soared skyward, triggering a scramble that collected L.J. Lombardo and sent cars in all directions. Reckner then managed to get one lap in the books before Jackie Brown went around in turn two for another caution.
The next try saw Reckner again prevail but by the time Matt DeLorenzo slowed to draw another yellow on lap six, the 15th-starting Johnson was fourth and the writing was on the wall. He bounced off Donnie Ronca on the restart but his car seemed as good as ever and taking advantage of yellows that kept the field closed up, he worked his way to the lead on lap 12 after a pitched battle with Todd Stone for second.
Meehan then caught fire, running down Reckner for second just before a grinding crash at the halfway point of the 35-lapper that left the cars of defending champion Mike Mahaney, Anthony Perrego and Stone severely wounded. Things settled down for a few laps but a yellow for Pete Britten’s flat tire on lap 27 saw Matt Depew squeezed into the end of the Jersey barrier in turn one, peeling his left front off.
From there, Johnson blasted off and rebuilt his huge lead before the checkers flew.
“I called Bicknell and they helped me out a lot this week,” tipped the elated Johnson, who by far had the best handling car in the field. “I love having the fans back and, hopefully, we’re on our way to another championship.”
Tim Hartman Jr. turned in another of his patented charges in the Sportsman feature, advancing from 15th to run down early leader Andrew Buff with Marty Kelly III, last week’s winner Jim Nagle and Mike Ballastero trailing.
Zach Buff edged Dylan Madsen in the marathon Limited Sportsman finale.