CONCORD, N.C. – Audio and story by Race Chaser Online Managing Editor Jacob Seelman – Chris Seelman photo –
The Dirt Track at Charlotte got a house call early Saturday morning, when “The Doctor” Danny Johnson surged to his second-consecutive Bad Boy Buggies World Finals victory in dominating fashion.
The driver of the No. 27J, from Rochester, N.Y., moved around Jimmy Phelps with five laps of the 30-lap main complete and never looked back, finally driving to victory lane to celebrate his triumph after the checkered flag waved at close to 3:30 a.m. local time.
“The car was really good tonight,” Johnson said. “I just had to work hard to keep from hitting that cushion and getting out of control. It got really high and pretty treacherous, but the car hooked up well for me and we were able to maintain track position.”
Johnson did say, however, that he had one dicey moment during the main event.
“I hit the deep hole in turn one and just about booked it,” he laughed. “Luckily I was able to keep it on all four [wheels], ultimately make the pass on Jimmy and maintain that spot for the rest of the show. All in all, it was a good night.”
Phelps led the field to the green flag and pulled away in the early going from “The Doctor” Danny Johnson, but a multi-car melee down the backstretch that collected Rick Laubach, Mike Mahaney and Craig VonDohren brought out the first yellow of the night at lap four.
On the restart, Johnson pulled a masterful slide job in turns three and four to grab the top spot at lap five and leave Phelps to do battle with his teammate, points leader and three-time series champion “Super” Matt Sheppard.
From there, no one could touch the No. 27J despite two cautions – one at lap 11 for a slowing Stewart Friesen in turn four and a second when Erick Rudolph spun into the infield at the entrance to turn one with eight laps remaining.
After Billy Decker moved from fourth to second on the lap 12 restart, he attempted to track down Johnson for the win but could not get there and faded late – allowing Larry Wight to claim runner-up honors at the finish.
Decker completed the podium in third, followed by Sheppard and Duane Howard.
15-year-old Tyler Dippel, who battled for the win with Johnson in the Saturday night portion of the event a year ago, finished sixth after starting 18th and fellow teenager Max McLaughlin came home 15th in the 28-car starting field.
H.J. Bunting and Tim Fuller each won their respective 10-lap Last Chance Qualifiers to transfer into the main event during Friday’s preliminary events.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon for the third and final day of action at the Bad Boy Buggies World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, with hot laps kicking off at 4 p.m. Tickets are still available by calling 1-800-455-FANS.
Audio with race winner Danny Johnson:
RESULTS: Super DIRTcar Series; Bad Boy Buggies World Finals; The Dirt Track at Charlotte; Nov. 6, 2015
- Danny Johnson
- Larry Wight
- Billy Decker
- Matt Sheppard
- Duane Howard
- Tyler Dippel
- Brett Hearn
- Jimmy Phelps
- Stewart Friesen
- Pete Britten
- Frank Cozze
- Gary Tompkins
- Pat Ward
- H.J. Bunting
- Max McLaughlin
- Chris Hile
- Keith Flach
- Carey Terrance
- Tim Kerr
- Rick Laubach
- Rich Scagliotta
- Erick Rudolph
- Billy Pauch Jr.
- Mike Bowman
- Tim Fuller
- Craig VanDohren
- Mike Mahaney
- Mat Williamson
About the Writer
Jacob Seelman is the Managing Editor of Race Chaser Online and creator of the Motorsports Madness radio show, airing at 7 p.m. Eastern every Monday on the Performance Motorsports Network. Seelman grew up in the sport, watching his grandparents co-own the RaDiUs Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series team in the 1990s.
The 21-year-old is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., and is also serving as the full-time tour announcer for both the United Sprint Car Series and the Must See Racing Sprint Car Series.
Email Jacob at: [email protected]
Follow on Twitter: @Speed77Radio or @JacobSeelman77
Email Race Chaser Online: [email protected]
Follow RCO on Twitter: @RaceChaserNews
