Fireworks shake up Bullring

There were the traditional post-race pyrotechnics, of course.

Before that, however, several race cars went crash, boom, bang during the 76-lap Super Late Models race in front of about 5,000 fans.

Fortunately for Justin Johnson, the mayhem was behind him.

Johnson, 23, started second, took the lead on the first lap and led the rest of the way for his second win of the season. The race was slowed by six caution periods that ate up 42 laps.

Johnson drove the past few races in a borrowed car. But Vision Air Racing hired him late last week to replace 2006 track champion Dustin Ash. Team owner Steve Acor and Tom Davis, who runs the team, had a falling-out with Ash’s family.

“They called me up at the end of last week and offered me the job,” said Johnson, who brought along veteran crew chief Brian Kizer. “I’m pretty happy. We only had about 50 laps of practice (Wednesday night), and that’s it.”

Ash, who borrowed the No. 25 car owned by Bob Barker, was running seventh when it broke down with eight laps to go.

Wrecks thwarted a pair of two-lap overtime attempts, and Johnson prevailed in a one-lap restart after the delays extended the race to 94 laps.

Johnson pulled away from runner-up Taylor Barton and won by nearly one second.

In addition to his driving duties, Johnson will serve as a coach for Davis’ son Dusty, who finished ninth.

Troy Regier of Dinuba, Calif., won the 50-lap Supermodified race, which had only one yellow flag. He averaged 107.54 mph and finished one second ahead of Bryan Warf of Meridian, Idaho.

In other races, Dylan Kwasniewski posted his fifth consecutive Legends Car victory, and Phil Goodwin won in Chargers.

• DRIFTING PARTY — The Formula Drift event scheduled for July 10 and 11 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway begins Thursday with the Drifting Street Party at Town Square.

Several Formula Drift competitors will display their cars and sign autographs for an hour at 6:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.