Jason Johnson rocketed himself into contention for the World Series Australian Sprintcar Open crown with a confidence-building victory in the Friday night Preliminary Feature at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway, running the high line to perfection and holding off Donny Schatz and a fast-finishing James McFadden to get the win. Fast time man Rico Abreu showed plenty of mettle through the first night qualifying races to hold onto the points lead going into tonight's $20,000 to win, fifty lap Finale.
Johnson though was probably looking at having to be content with a second place finish until race leader Robbie Farr got caught up with Luke Oldfield mid-race when Oldfield slowed with a flat right rear tyre and came to a stop, Farr being forced to the tail of the field under the rules. Johnson seized his opportunity and drove away from Schatz on the restart and with Schatz then feeling the pressure from McFadden, Johnson's run to the flag was untroubled.
For Schatz to be even somewhere near the pointy end of the field after timing in twenty-first is testament to the man's ability in a Sprintcar, even more so considering the depth of the field in this year's running of the Open. Donny heads into night two having made up a huge amount of ground in the points and has the opportunity to bookend his Archerfield sojourn with a fifth Australian Open victory. Donny's A-Main record this trip? First, second, second and second.
As good as the night was for racing on yet another track prepared by John Kelly that provided plenty of passing with a genuine top and bottom line, the night was marred by two big crashes for Cameron Gessner and Todd Wanless. Both emerged unscathed and while Gessner resumed racing in a later Heat, significant damage to Wanless's J&J chassis ruled him out of any further competition.
Fans seated in the turn three and four areas in particular were treated to some outstanding highline drives and passes from the likes of McFadden and Rico, the two young guns putting on a great show with their hammer down style of racing and reaping the benefits of it. Running high through three and four and completing the pass on the outside down the front straight here is not for the faint hearted and takes some ability, these two showed plenty of ticker in getting the job done.
The Supercheap Auto World Series Australian Sprintcar Open, presented by Performance Wholesale, continues tonight with early racing from 5:00pm, main programme from 6:00pm.
Event Results: Complete coverage of night one is available on the Hi-Tec Oils World Series Sprintcars website at worldseriessprintcars.com.au . Visit brisbanespeedway.com.au/results.asp for full results of all events held at Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway. For detailed reports, news and information on all Sprintcar events in Qld, visit sprintcarsqueensland.com.au
Event Information:Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012
Venue: Supercheap Auto Archerfield Speedway
Location: 63 Colebard Street West, Archerfield Qld
Adults: $35.00
Pensioners & Students (with Photo ID): $28.00
Teens: 13 - 15 yrs: $15.00, Children: 5 - 12 yrs: $10.00
Family Passes: $80.00 (2 adults + 2 children 12 yrs or under)
General admission gates open 3:45pm, early racing from 5:00pm, main programme from 6:00pm. Parking is available at the track for $3.00. Racing finishes by 10.30pm.
Programmed events include: Supercheap Auto World Series Australian Sprintcar Open (Final), Late Models, Wingless Sprints.
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Supercheap Auto World Series Australian Sprintcar Open Preliminary Feature winner Jason Johnson on the podium with Donny Schatz and James McFadden - (Photo: Ben Graham)
