Talladega Short Track
Johnson repels Busha for SAS win at Talladega
From track and series reports
R.J. is joined by Mike Head in victory lane. (Rusty Carlton)
EASTABOGA, Ala. (July 26) — Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., fought off late-race challenges from Tim Busha of Boaz, Ala., at Talladega Short Track to capture the Michael Head Jr. Memorial for the third consecutive year. Johnson earned $5,400 for his first O'Reilly Southern All Star Series victory of the season.
Busha twice edged ahead of Johnson to lead laps in the final 10 circuits, but Johnson fought back to regain the lead and grab the victory. Busha settled for second ahead of Terry Smith of Anniston, Ala., who led the first lap. Danny Peoples of Margaret, Ala., was fourth and Dingus Griffin of Alexandria, Ala., rounded out the top five. Fast qualifier William Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., started on the pole and faded to finish seventh.
Notes: Drivers failing to qualify for the feature: Dallas Cooper, Dennis Hale, Jeff Fortner, Brian Lipham, Chris Thomas, Logan Yates, Kelly Hanvey and Jeff Johns. ... Jimmy Elkins won the night's NeSmith Crate feature while Jackson Hale won the Sportsman feature. ... O'Reilly SAS competitors return to action in a $5,000-to-win event Aug. 2 at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga.
O'Reilly SAS @ Talladega: 1) Ronnie Johnson 2) Tim Busha 3) Terry Smith 4) Danny Peoples 5) Dingus Griffin, 6) Jason Fitzgerald 7) William Thomas 8) Tim Roszell 9) James Cline 10) Derek Ellis, 11) Ivedent Lloyd 12) Dion Deason 13) Brandon Roberts 14) Rod Carroll, 15) Dustin Stewart 16) Anthony Hill 17) Jon Miller 18) Mike Head 19) Steve Harbottle, 20) Jason Wilson 21) Ross Martin 22) Justin McCree 23) Jamie Perry, 24) Travis Pennington 25) Ricky Williams. Fast qualifier (among 33 cars): Thomas.
