Robin Johnston Returns to ATQMRA Glory before a Packed Sundance Crowd

Frank Fischer Charges to Second

6/6/09 Saturday Sundance Vacation Speedway

Robin Johnston (Center) joined on the podium by Matt "Chip" Janisch and Flyin' Frank Fischer.

 

Robin Johnston set sail from his fourth starting position to win his first ATQMRA feature of the season at Sundance Vacation Speedway in front of a packed house. Mark Janisch won the 600 portion of the show with Johnston winning his heat and Liquid Lou Cicconi winning the second heat. 

The first heat race saw a front row of Robin Johnston and Paul Lotier Jr. take Kyle McGowan’s green flag with Johnston jumping out first and winning by several car lengths.  Lotier settled for second followed by a hard charging Frank Fischer, Tim Behmer, Chris DeRitis, and Ian Cumens.   

 The second heat was hotly contested Austin Fehr taking the lead from his pole starting position getting the jump on second starting Matt Roselli.  Zack Martini charged to second and started to mount a challenge to Fehr when Martini crossed bumpers spinning Fehr.  Martini was sent to the rear as a result of the altercation.  Lou Cicconi took command from that point winning over Matt Janisch, Roselli, Alison Cumens, Martini, and Fehr. 

It was the second annual Evergreen Reunion night at Sundance Vacation Speedway.  The ATQMRA put on an exciting show for the capacity crowd on attendance.  The ATQMRA cars were lined up on the front straight away while interviews with the legends of the track took place. 

When the green flag flew the action was fast and furious.  Fourth starting Robin Johnston seemed on a mission to win the nights feature.  He made quick work in passing early leader Paul Lotier Jr. to take the lead by lap 3. 

 

The real excitement was in the middle of the pack with 9th starting Janisch and 11th starting Fischer dueling to the front with Cicconi in tow.  The action was slowed only once for a flipping Chris DeRitis in the Team Risqué 66 exiting the second turn.  Chris was uninjured in the one car incident. 

 

The restart saw Johnston maintain the lead with second running Lotier in tow.  Fischer and Janisch sliced and diced their way to third and fourth by lap 15 and worked their way past Lotier on lap 21.  Johnston won by a margin of   2.694 seconds having run the fastest lap Sundance has seen all season with a lap of 12.830 seconds at 93.530 MPH.  The hard charger of the race was Frank Fischer who charged from eleventh to finish second.  Janisch rolled across the line third with Lotier in tow followed by Martini to round out the top five. 

ATQMRA News and Notes:  Race winner Johnston Thanked Liquid Lou Cicconi and big Lou Cicconi for their help in making his Duchak 13 car a top contender once more.  Xcell 600 Modified racer Kyle Gardner made his TQ debut in the Joe Csernak F8 finishing 14th at the tail end of the lead lap.  Dave Williams debut his brand new Cicconi Chassis 59 finishing a season best 8th in his shake down run of the new car.  Unofficially Janisch moved into the driver point’s lead and his 48 is currently leading the car points with Mark Janisch atop the 600 standings.   

 Heat Race 1:  1 13  Robin Johnston 2 1B Paul Lotier Jr 3 26 Frank Fischer 4 96 Tim Behmer 5 66Chris Deritis 6 79Ian Cummens 7 95 Jeff Kot 8 14Mark Janisch

Heat Race 2: 1 36 Lou Cicconi 2 48 Matt Janisch 3 98 Matthew Roselli 4 39 Alison Cummens 5 46 Zack Martini 6 73 Austin Fehr 7 F8 Kyle Gardner 8 59 Dave Williams

ATQMRA TQ Midgets: 1 13 Robin Johnston 2 26 Frank Fischer 3 48 Matt Janisch 4 1B Paul Lotier Jr 5 46 Zack Martini 6 36 Lou Cicconi 7 96 Tim Behmer 8 59 Dave Williams 9 79 Ian Cummens 10 98 Matthew Roselli 11 39  Alison Cummens 12 95  Jeff Kot 13 73 Austin Fehr 14 F8 Kyle Gardner 15 Chris Deritis  600 Micro Sprint 14 Mark Janisch 16 66