(June 16, 2024) West Haven, VT – Marc Johnson, known as the “Dark Knight,” claimed victory in the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco for the second time in his career on Sunday night. The Guilderland, NY native took home the $10,000 top prize in the ‘Slate Valley 50’ at Devil’s Bowl Speedway during Round 3 of the River Valley Builders North Region and Round 7 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship.
Dominating Performance
Johnson quickly took control of the race, passing Tim Fuller on lap three and leading the remaining 48 laps. “Our car was really spot on,” Johnson said after the race. “I knew pretty early after I got by Fuller and saw my lead growing that we were dialed in. I didn’t even have to push that hard.”
This victory marked Johnson’s first STSS win in nearly six years, his previous win being at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in August 2018. The triumph was particularly special for Johnson, as he celebrated it on Father’s Day with his son in the pits. “I had to pull some strings to get him here,” Johnson laughed. “He’s got school tomorrow and Mom wasn’t too thrilled, but hopefully this makes it a little better.”
Holding Off Challenges
Despite a late-race caution with eight laps remaining that brought Savannah, NY’s Matt Sheppard alongside Johnson, he managed to hold his position and secure the win. “I was definitely worried when that yellow came out,” Johnson admitted. “You never want to see Sheppard beside you with that few laps left.” However, Johnson pulled away on the restart, leaving Sheppard to settle for second place.
Podium Finishers
“We had a really good night,” Sheppard said. “We had a decent car but congratulations to Marc, he was in a league of his own today.”
Canadian driver 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 said. “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 us a spot or two.”
Race Highlights
Twenty-nine big-block/small-block Modifieds competed in the ‘Slate Valley 50’. Heat winners included Perrego, Williamson, and Fuller, while Walter Hammond won the consolation event.
Looking Ahead
The STSS heads to New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey for the 10th running of the ‘Dirty Jersey’ on Tuesday, June 18. The 50-lap, $6,000-to-win event is Round 5 of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region and Round 8 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship. The STSS Crate 602 Sportsman will also compete in a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win main event in Round 4 of the Belmont’s Garage South Region.
Feature Finish (50 laps):
- Marc Johnson [2]
- Matt Sheppard [5]
- Mat Williamson [7]
- Jack Lehner [10]
- Stewart Friesen [11]
- Anthony Perrego [12]
- Tim Fuller [1]
- Adam Pierson [3]
- David Hebert [4]
- Alex Yankowski [8]
- Felix Roy [21]
- Bobby Hackel IV [6]
- Michael Maresca [13]
- Chris Raabe [14]
- Walter J Hammond [19]
- Michael Trautschold [9]
- Mike Mahaney [20]
- Allan Hammond [17]
- James Davis [16]
- Jordan Fornwalt [18]
- Troy Audet [15]
- Francois Bellemare [22]
- Walter Hammond Jr [23]
- JR Hurlburt [24]
- Darryl Mitchell [26]
- Ajay Potrzebowski II [25]
