Chris Johnson Extends Points Lead With Win Over Weekend At Southside
Midlothian, VA – IMCA Modifieds were another feature division in our Friday night program at Southside Speedway. Eleven drivers were in the house for their 30-lap feature. Chris Johnson was fastest earlier in the evening with a 14.947 second (80.203 MPH) lap – the only car to break into the 14-second time. However, due to drawing a #3 on the poker chip, Johnson would invert the top three starters. Could have been worse with a five, but either way no one in the field had anything for that rocket ship!
With the help of Mr. Jimmy Walker the green flag was displayed over the field and Johnson was not playing around! To be perfectly honest not sure if Johnson helped pole sitter Kyle Wood into one or if the 19 had to drive her to deep, either way Wood pushed up the banking forcing the #17 of Shawn Hopkins to push up too. Warren Lipford wasn’t not waiting for that door to close before he could capitalize – he had second as they exited turn two.
By the fifth lap C. Johnson had already built a full straightaway lead over the second place machine who had third through fifth lines up bumper to bumper behind him. Lipford, Wood, Hopkins, and M. Johnson were all fighting for the same piece of real estate. Do have to give credit to Michael Johnson who gave a nice little nudge to the 17 car – “excuse me coming through – just before the half way mark of the race.
The field was only slowed once with 11 laps to go to bring the caution car out. The #2 of Eric Fowlkes went around in turn four. Did not see any contact to cause the spin, either way Fowlkes would need a push away from the scene. Was a pretty quick caution and Race Director, Chris Stefi orders for the cone to be placed on the front stretch. Chris Johnson electing the low line while Wood tried his luck up top.