6/17/2024
Short Track Super Series
Dark Knight Strikes: Marc Johnson Tops ‘Slate Valley 50’ at Devil’s Bowl
Written by Chris Moore
WEST HAVEN, VT – Dark Knight Strikes.
For just the second time in his career, Marc Johnson was victorious with the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.
The Guilderland, N.Y., native picked up the $10,000 top prize in the ‘Slate Valley 50’ at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Round No. 3 of the River Valley Builders North Region and Round No. 7 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship.
Johnson raced around the outside of Tim Fuller on lap three and paced the final 48 laps of the third annual ‘Slate Valley 50.’
“Our car was really spot on,” Johnson explained after the race. “It was spot on and I knew pretty early after I got by Fuller and the flagger was showing me my lead was getting bigger that we really dialed in.
“I didn’t even have to push that hard,” he continued.
Johnson’s STSS triumph was his first in nearly six years, with his first coming in August of 2018 at his home track of Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y.
This one even more special than the last, picking up the win on Father’s Day with his son in pits, and even drew the outside pole at the Beyea Custom Headers Redraw.
“I had to pull some strings to get him here,” he laughed. “He’s got school tomorrow and Mom wasn’t too thrilled but hopefully this makes it a little better.”
The win didn’t come all easy however, as the second and final caution came out with just eight laps to go, Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard pulled up alongside Johnson.
“I was definitely worried he was going to pull off a move when that yellow came out,” Johnson offered. “You never want to see him beside you for the lead with that few laps left.”
Johnson was up to the task, however, pulling away from Sheppard and setting sail with the $10,000 top prize.
Sheppard settled for second.
“We had a really good night,” Sheppard smiled. “We had a decent car but obviously congratulations to Marc, he was in a league of his own today.”
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada’s Mat Williamson rounded out the podium in his Behrent’s Performance Warehouse No. 3.
“I love coming here to Devil’s Bowl, this place is awesome to race at,” Williamson proclaimed. “We had a good car, but I don’t think we had anything for the guys in front of us… that last restart probably gained a spot or two.”
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.’s Jack Lehner brought the BDR Speed-fielded No. 02 home fourth after starting in 10th and Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen completed the top five in the Halmar International No. 44.
Finishing sixth through 10th, respectively, were Walden, N.Y.’s Anthony Perrego after picking 12th in the redraw for the Bob Hentschel-owned No. 4; Watertown, N.Y.’s Tim Fuller who faded on the last restart after running third most of the race; East Corinth, Vt.’s Adam Pierson making a rare STSS start; St. Damase, Quebec, Canada’s David Hebert in his Devil’s Bowl debut; and Covington Township, Pa.’s Alex Yankowski in the Millman’s NAPA Auto Parts No. 84y.
Twenty-nine big-block/small-block Modifieds signed in for competition in the ‘Slate Valley 50.’
Heat winners were Perrego, Williamson, and Fuller. Walter Hammond won the consolation event.
The STSS continues tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 18) at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway for the 10th running of the ‘Dirty Jersey.’ The 50-lap, $6,000-to-win main event serves as Round No. 5 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region and Round No. 8 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman join the event for a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win main event in Round No. 4 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.
‘SLATE VALLEY 50’ RESULTS SUMMARY – DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2024
‘Slate Valley 50’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco River Valley Builders North Region Round No. 3 Feature Finish (50 laps): 1. 3J-MARC JOHNSON[2]; 2. 9S-Matt Sheppard[5]; 3. 3W-Mat Williamson[7]; 4. 02-Jack Lehner[10]; 5. 44-Stewart Friesen[11]; 6. 4P-Anthony Perrego[12]; 7. 19-Tim Fuller[1]; 8. 215-Adam Pierson[3]; 9. ONE-David Hebert[4]; 10. 84Y-Alex Yankowski[8]; 11. 91-Felix Roy[21]; 12. 97H-Bobby Hackel IV[6]; 13. 7MM-Michael Maresca[13]; 14. 01-Chris Raabe[14]; 15. 77-Walter J Hammond[19]; 16. 28T-Michael Trautschold[9]; 17. 35M-Mike Mahaney[20]; 18. 97-Allan Hammond[17]; 19. 73-James Davis[16]; 20. 24F-Jordan Fornwalt[18]; 21. 13A-Troy Audet[15]; 22. 35B-Francois Bellemare[22]; 23. 88H-Walter Hammond Jr[23]; 24. 6H-JR Hurlburt[24]; 25. 879-Darryl Mitchell[26]; 26. 72-Ajay Potrzebowski II[25]
Did Not Qualify: 55-Matt Woodruff; 47-Simon Perreault; 70A-Alex Payne
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (FREE Tire Certificate): Adam Pierson (eighth) & Walter J Hammond (15th)
ATL Fuel Cell ‘Hot Lap Hero’ ($100): Matt Sheppard (18.414)
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 Gift Cards): Jack Lehner (fourth) & David Hebert (ninth)
Beyea Custom Headers Redraw Bonus ($50): Anthony Perrego (Redrew 12th)
Eibach Springs Bonus ($100 Certificate): Anthony Perrego (sixth)
Henry’s Exhaust Power Position ($50 Certificate): Felix Roy (11th)
PEM Engineering Bonus (Quick Change Gears): Mat Williamson (third)
Penske Racing Shocks Bonuses: Marc Johnson (first - $150 certificate); Matt Sheppard (second - $75 certificate); Mat Williamson (third - $50 certificate); Jack Lehner (fourth - $25 certificate)
Saint Lawrence Radiology Hard Charger ($200): Felix Roy (21st to 11th)
Schultz Racing Fuel Cells Bonus ($100 Certificate): Alex Yankowski (10th)
Wilwood Brakes ‘Lucky 7’ Bonus ($100 Certificate): Tim Fuller (seventh)
