JOHNSON ROLLS TO 3RD WIN AT BENTON

BENTON -- The 1996 season was a banner year for Terry Johnson and the 1997 season has started out in the same manner.

Johnson, of Benton, picked up his third Modified Feature win of the year Saturday night. He has three wins in four starts.

Kent Bailey was the strongest contender of the night on the dry-slick surface. Bailey led the field half the race until a slower car came onto the track as the caution flag waved and collected the leader.

"I've been waiting for two years for a track like that," said a disappointed Bailey. "I will probably have to wait another two."

"I don't believe I would ever have caught him, he was running too good," said Johnson. "I was going to try to get on the top side of him to get around him, but it didn't seem to work, so I was going to follow him."

Johnson, who was running in second, benefited from the mishap and took over the top spot.

"I started the inside of the second row of the feature race," said Johnson. "That is the key, starting up front on a dry-slick race track like this."

Randy Stahley moved into second place on the 18th lap by passing Steve Zelch Jr.. Charles LaPlant made a final-lap move to pick up third position over Zelch, who finished fourth. Scott Gibbs had a season-best fifth-place finish.

Shawn King took the first lap lead and went to win the 25-lap Winged Sprint Feature, his first win of the year.

"It was a nice track and the guys on the crew had the car awesome," said King.

King provided the fans with excitement by making a clean sweep of all the Winged Sprint events. King was fast qualifier, heat winner, dash winner and feature winner.

Kevin Steptor followed King to the checkered flag. Bob Thoman, Jerrod Hull and Joey Nash rounded out the top-five finishers.

Steve Plieman went underneath Cline Myers on lap one of the Pure Street Feature and led the final 14 laps to take the top honor. Cline Myers fought son Cline Myers Jr. to finish second. Myers Jr., Steve Hettenhausen and Keith Brugger completed the to five.

Robert Smith added another Super Street Feature win to his resume. Smith led Greg King and Larry Hull to the line. Greg Gross passed Jasen Sissom on the last lap to pick up the fourth spot.