ALGER, Wash. — The fifth edition of Skagit Speedway TV saw Sean Johnson top the Sportsman Sprint Showdown for a $1,000 payday on Thursday night at Skagit Speedway.
Joining Johnson as victors on the night were Jared Peterson in the NW Focus Midgets and Adam Holtrop in the Outlaw Tuners.
The initial start of the Cook Road Shell Sportsman Sprints A Main saw Kelsey Carpenter get the drop on Johnson before a red flag came out for a vicious flip by Brett McGhie. After the carnage was cleared and the field reformed, Johnson got the jump on Carpenter and paced the field early.
Johnson built a strong lead before encountering traffic on lap eight, and by lap 11 most of his advantage had dwindled, as two slower cars race high low for position in front of him, allowing Carpenter and Chase Goetz to close.
Almost ready to punce, a caution flag for Corey Summers stopped the Carpenter/Goetz charge and gave Johnson clean air once again. Enjoying open track, Johnson was on complete cruise control from there, leading the rest of the race for the $1,000 top prize.
In the NW Focus Midget Series main event, Michael Hodel had early control with a fierce pack of cars competing for position behind him. Alden Ostrom and Shane Smith dueled for second, while Jared Peterson, Colton Heath, Nick Evans, Nik Larson and more diced from fourth place on back.
Smith cleared Ostrom around lap 10 and went to work on Hodel, who matched Shane move for move, while Ostrom set to holding off the pack of rabid dogs behind him. It was Peterson eventually emerging from that pack to clear Alden, and then Smith subsequently in a short period of laps before eyeing Hodel’s lead.
On lap 23, Peterson drove to the inside of Hodel and would make the pass coming to the flag stand as he secured the top spot and eventual win. The group behind Jared continued to race hard, with Smith clearing Hodel for second, bringing Nick Evans and Colton Heath with him.
Adam Holtrop made his glorious return to the Outlaw Tuner division and took the win over the 12-car field. Holtrop drove inside eventual runnerup Rick Young to take the top spot on lap four. Young would outrace James Bundy for the runner up spot.