Todd Johnson Claims 1st Happy Harry's Midwest Mod Win Since 2010

5/8/2016

Photo by Mike Spieker | Speedway-Shots.com

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (May 6th) - The Happy Harry’s WISSOTA Midwest Modified feature commenced with John Halverson and Johnny Thompson on the front row. Thompson got the jump at the green flag to take the point, but on lap three, Todd Johnson came charging up from his fourth place starting position and stole the lead.

Once out front, Johnson opened up a 10 car length lead as Stoney Kruk, Austin Hunter, and Matt Schow raced three wide for third. Both Kruk and Schow got by Hunter and then chased Thompson for second. With seven to go, Schow moved passed the #69 of Kruk then got by Thompson to take over the runner-up spot. Johnson had 12 car lengths between himself and Schow, but Schow had the #21 in his cross hairs and was narrowing the gap lap after lap.

With five to go, Schow cut Johnson’s lead in half and with three to go Schow was right on the leader’s rear bumper. The defending RCS track champion was determined to kick off 2016 with back to back wins as he dove to the inside of Johnson was the white flag flew. It came down to a drag race at the line, but Johnson held off Schow by just over a tenth of a second.

The win was Johnson's first since August 27th, 2010 and third career Midwest Mod victory at River Cities.