Southwest Speedway
Zach Johnson grabs first Dart Challenge victory
Zach Johnson won from the pole position at Southwest Speedway. (Layne Mulder)
DICKINSON, N.D. (June 11) — Polesitter Zach Johnson of Kensington, Minn., rebounded Saturday from a tough outing the previous night with a victory at Southwest Speedway, earning a $3,000 purse on the Dart Challenge Late Model Series. | Slideshow
Johnson, the Chubeck Racing Products Hard Luck award winner the previous night at Dacotah Speedway, started on the pole at Southwest and led all 40 laps for his first career series victory, staying in front of the charge of 23rd-starting Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis.
Doar settled for second while series points leader Jake Redetzke of Eau Claire, Wis., finished third. Chad Becker of Aberdeen, S.D., and 10th-starting Steve Laursen of Cumberland, Wis., rounded out the top five in the first series visit to the track.
Notes: Johnson's Pierce Race Car is sponsored by Shaw Trucking, Schuett Construction and Midwest Grain Systems. ... Johnson has three victories overall in 2011 in seven starts. ... Hank Berry finished 12th in his first outing of the season. ... Mike Balcaen scratched from the main event with mechanical issues. ... Sunday's Dart Challenge event at Nodak Speedway in Minot, S.D., was cancelled because of a poor weather forecast and flooding concerns. ... Next up for Dart Challenge Series competitors is a Fourth of July weekend tripleheader scheduled for July 1-3. Action starts at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, Wis., before moving to Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., and Eagle Valley Speedway in Jim Falls, Wis.
Dart Challenge @ Southwest: (1) Zach Johnson, (2) Pat Doar, (3) Jake Redetzke, (4) Chad Becker, (5) Steve Laursen, (6) John Kaanta, (7) Marshall Fegers, (8) Jeremy Keller, (9) Eric Breeschoten, (10) Justin Fegers, (11) Joel Cryderman, (12) Hank Berry, (13) Lance Matthees, (14) Dave Smith, (15) Kelly Hample, (16) Adam Hensel, (17) Mike Stadel, (18) Wayne Johnson, (19) Jeff Wildung, (20) Steve Pfeifer, (21) Corey Seckerson, (22) Curt Gelling, (23) Paul Mueller. Scratched: Mike Balcaen. Heat race winners (among 24 cars): J. Fegers, Kaanta, Breeschoten.
