July 7
Magnolia Motor Speedway,
Columbus, MS
Sanction: Rogers-Dabbs Crate Racin’ USA 604 Series (Salute to America Nationals) - $2,500
Information provided by: Roby Helm (last updated July 8, 12:05 pm)
Johnson storms from 15th to Magnolia win
Salute to America Nationals
- Ronnie Johnson
- Evan Ellis
- Chip Brindle
- Montana Dudley
- Tyler Burgess
- Grant Pearl
- Marcus Minga
- Brent Barrett
- Chad McCool
- Chris Mullinax
- Shep Lucas
- Nick Thrash
- Shay Knight
- Cruz Skinner
- Kyle Shaw
- Chris Noah
- Randall Beckwith
- Johnny Stokes
- Ashley Newman
- Jamey Boland
- Ryan Oswalt
- Mack McCarter
- Neil Baggett
- Michael Blount
presented by
Scott Oglesby/foto-1.net
Ronnie Johnson celebrates with the Magnolia crowd.
What won the race: Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., rallied from 15th to overtake polesitter Evan Ellis of Plantersville, Miss., on the 41st lap and went on to score his second NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series victory in as many nights.
Quotable: “I love coming to Magnolia Motor Speedway, but for some reason, I just have never qualified well here,” Johnson said. “We qualified 21st tonight, gained a couple of spots in the B-Main to start 15th, and then the track came to me in the main event. The Black Ice came in, and that just fits my driving style, and we had the right tire combination to get to the front.”
Key notes: Ellis led each of the first 40 laps while Johnson steadily worked his way through the pack, primarily using the high-line to gain his advantages. ... After taking the lead, Johnson initially began to pull away, but lapped traffic and a lap-49 caution flag for Johnny Stokes made things interesting down the stretch. ... Johnson ultimately kept the field at bay, winning by a 1.031-second margin. ... Shay Knight spun on lap 29 to draw the race's first caution. ... The 50-lap feature took just under 27 minutes to complete. ... Johnson previously won Saturday at Arkadelphia Speedway in Bremen, Ala.; he has six series victories on the season. ... The tour makes its final appearance of the season at Magnolia on Aug. 31.
On the move: The winning Johnson started 15th; seven of the top 10 finishers improved at least five positions.
Winner's sponsors: Johnson's MasterSbilt Race Car is sponsored by Appleton Power Rack & Pinions, FG Lumber, Hoosier Tire, NeSmith Chevrolet, Smith Competition Fire Systems and VP Racing Fuels.
Points chase: Following Sunday's action, Johnson has 1,264 points to lead Mack McCarter (1,158) and Chris Noah (1,096).
Car count: 39
Fast qualifier: Evan Ellis
Time: 15.102 seconds
Polesitter: Evan Ellis
Consolation race winners: Montana Dudley, Johnny Stokes
Provisional starters: Chris Noah, Michael Blount
Next series race: July 19, Clayhill Motorsports Park (Atwood, TN) $3,000
