Ronnie Johnson won his 15th NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series career victory Saturday night at Bubba Raceway Park. Johnson is the all-time series winner. Photo by Photosbytrace.com
Ronnie Johnson waited five nights for Bubba Raceway Park at Ocala, FL to turn into the kind of race track he was looking for. On Saturday, the Florida clay on the 3/8-mile egg-shaped oval suited the hall of fame Tennessee driver just right.
Johnson, known as “The Chattanooga Flash,” lived up to his nickname and cruised to the 50-lap feature win in the NeSmith Late Model Series. Justin McRee finished a full straightaway behind in second, with Walker Auther, Ronny Hollingsworth and Darren Peters making up the rest of the top five.
“It’s been a while coming,” Johnson said in victory lane. “This win means a lot to me in this point in my career.”
Johnson started third in the feature race, but trouble unfolded behind him before the field completed the first lap. Coming off turn 4, Brad Smith bounced off the wall in the middle of the pack. As he spun, he collected eight more drivers – including NeSmith series’ point leader Jonathan Davenport – in a crash that blocked the front stretch and stopped the race for several minutes.
On the restart, McRee grabbed the lead from his outside pole starting position and led the first 22 laps. Hollingsworth chased him early on as the leaders caught up with the rear of the field, but Johnson came alive as the lap traffic thickened and the racing surface dried out.
“I waited all week for this surface,” he said.
On lap 20, Johnson squeezed under Hollingsworth in turn 2 and grabbed the second position. On lap 23, he executed the same move on McRee and took a lead he would not surrender. As the race continued caution-free, the veteran driver made all the right moves as he sliced his way through traffic, ultimately building up a 3-second advantage over McRee, who likewise was never threatened for the runner-up spot.
But he had nothing for Johnson, who won $3,000 for his effort.
“I had them all,” Johnson said. “These trophies are hard to get in Florida.”
The hall of famer will need to make room for one more.
NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series
Bubba Raceway Park – Ocala, FL
Rock Auto.com Speedweeks Night Five – Feb. 2, 2013
POS STRT CAR # DRIVER
1. 3 5 Ronnie Johnson Chattanooga, TN 50 $3,000
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3. 5 87 Walker Arthur Forest, VA 50 $850
4. 1 18h Ronny Hollingsworth Northport, AL 50 $700
5. 13 1p Darren Peters Fort Erie, ON CAN 50 $650
6. 4 40b Kyle Bronson (R) Brandon, FL 50 $550
7. 8 2c Joey Coulter Concord, NC 50 $500
8. 6 19 Josh Adkins (R) Talladega, AL 50 $450
9. 14 2s Andrew Satterlee Rochester Mills, PA 50 $400
10. 9 17ss Shan Smith
11. 24 51 Mack McCarter (R) Gatlinburg, TN 50 $450
12. 20 38 Chase Washington Houlka, MS 50 $300
13. 7 47 Shannon Lee Lumberton, MS 49 $280
14. 10 56 David Earl Gentry Murfreesboro, TN 49 $260
15. 11 12 Ryan Montgomery Fairmont, WV 49 $250
16. 23 10 Matthew Turner Dawsonville, GA 49 $240
17. 19 21 Ivedent Lloyd Jr. Ocala, FL 49 $220
18. 21 18d Tait Davenport Benton, KY 49 $200
19. 16 1c Mike Pegher Jr. Cranberry, PA 49 $200
20. 18 11 Doug Horton Bruceton Mills, PA 49 $200
21. 15 49 Jonathan Davenport Blairsville, GA 49 $200
22. 17 18 Chase Edge LaFayette, AL 49 $200
23. 25 27 Larry Harrod Plains, GA 49 $200
24. 27 21m Cody Martin (R) Christiana, TN 48 $200
25. 22 25b Greg Belyea Frankford, ON CAN 48 $200
26. 26 1 Johnny Stokes Columbus, MS 48 $200
27. 12 68 Brad Smith Clemmons, NC 0 $200
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