Johnson Takes Flight In Outlaws Opener At Volusia

Jason Johnson (center) scored the win and the Gator Trophy in Friday night’s Craftsman World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series DIRTcar Nationals opener at Volusia Speedway Park. Brad Sweet (left) finished in second, with Christopher Bell (right) in third. Photo: WoO Media

Jason Johnson made a grand entrance into 2017 Friday night, winning the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series opener at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida.

Johnson, whose 2016 season was highlighted by a Knoxville Nationals victory, took home his first Gator trophy and a $10,000 purse.

“Yeah, 365 days later we start the season off in the best case scenario,” said Johnson, rehashing on his team’s troubles last season. “It’s a long season, and you need to condition for it. My little (Jaxx) on FaceTime over there… he and my wife mean the world to me, and I wish he could be here for the win. (The win) is huge for our operation, for our team, for the people working on this team and for my self-confidence.”

For Johnson’s four World of Outlaws wins last season, Johnson brought his son up on stage to wave their index finger in the air symbolizing “No.1.” This time Johnson scaled the wing of his car solo, but dropped back down to high-fives and hugs from his crew.

Johnson started on the outside of the first row for the 30-lap feature event. Johnson darted to the front within the first lap with Johnson in tow. The first of three cautions came on the third lap, when David Gravel suffered from more mechanical failures. Notably, Gravel raced nearly 80 races without blowing a motor heading into this year’s DIRTcar Nationals. The caution regrouped the field, giving Sweet the opportunity to recreate last season’s season opener with a win.

“I’ll tell you what, I really thought we were going to have something there for Jason,” Sweet said. “I had to (eventually) move to the top but Johnson set a really torrid pace out there. He did it, so hats-off to him. We have two more nights so hopefully we can end up where he is.”

Sweet swapped spots with Brian Brown throughout the race, but in the final two laps swiftly moved passed him on the front straightaway. Brown forfeited third to Christopher Bell, who rounded-out the podium.

“I kind of struggled on starts and restarts there,” said Bell, who led the feature field into the green flag. “Mistakes on my part for starts and restarts, but this thing is really fast. It’s a great machine to drive. Thank you Tony (Stewart) for letting me come out and have some fun.”

In other action, Nick Hoffman moved to the lead on the opening lap of the DIRTcar Modified feature, and led the rest of the way to score the victory. Will Krup finished in second, with Robbie Eilers in third, Trent Young in fourth and Jacob Hawkins in fifth.

For more information on the DIRTcar Nationals, visit DirtcarNationals.com.

Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
DIRTcar Nationals – Feb. 17, 2017

World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
1. 41-Jason Johnson
2. 49-Brad Sweet
3. 14-Christopher Bell
4. 21-Brian Brown
5. 9-Daryn Pittman
6. 49X-Tim Shaffer
7. 10H-Chad Kemenah
8. 24R-Rico Abreu
9. 2M-Kerry Madsen
10. 18-Ian Madsen
11. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier
12. 17-Joey Saldana
13. 1-Dale Blaney
14. 15-Donny Schatz
15. 11K-Kraig Kinser
16. 19-Brent Marks
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18. 4-Paul McMahan
19. 87-Aaron Reutzel
20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe
21. 7S-Jason Sides
22. 27-Greg Hodnett
23. 2-Shane Stewart
24. 1A-Jacob Allen
25. 5-David Gravel

DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
1. 2 – Nick Hoffman
2. K9 – Will Krup
3. 3E – Robbie Eilers
4. 10Y – Trent Young
5. 13 – Jacob Hawkins
6. 35 – David Stremme
7. 49 – Brian Ruhlman
8. 58 – Devin Dixon
9. 90 – Jason Beaulieu
10. 78 – Rich Pratt
11. 77 – Ray Bollinger
12. 8 -Kyle Strickler
13. 65 – Josh Rice
14. 2 – Jonathan Taylor
15. 12 – Tyler Nicely
16. 14T – Tyler Clem
17. 36 – Kenny Wallace
18. 98F – Derek Fisher
19. 17T – Tyler Evans
20. 72 – Todd Neiheiser
21. 21C – Taylor Cook
22. 28BX – Robert Garnes
23. 24Z – Zeke McKenzie
24. D4 – Dave Jamison
25. 7 – Justin Allgaier
26. 2X4 – Chase Collins
27. 88 – Matt Crafton
28. 45J – Johnny Broking