Behind The Mic’ Volume 4: Devil’s Bowl KOD 358-Mod Opener

Column By: MIKE WARREN / KING OF DIRT – FAIR HAVEN, VT – Tuesday night was maiden voyage of the King of Dirt Small Block modified series as we took the trip down (well just me), to the Devil’s Bowl Speedway for the 2nd time this season, where 25 358 Modifieds made their way into the Green Mountain State to battle for the $3,000 winner’s share.

When the dust settled, it was a familiar face to the capital region that sat in victory lane, as the “White Knight” Marc Johnson led the final 36 laps en route to the win. Johnson was all smiles after the race, but did say he was a bit nervous toward the end, as this was a track he had never seen heading into the evening.

Behind the driver out of Guilderland was the 19 of Jessey Mueller, who had won on the asphalt at Devil’s Bowl, but was still looking for that elusive A-Main win on a dirt surface. (He has previously won a B-Main at Fonda during the DeLorenzo regime.) It was a great run for the Olmsteadville campaigner, which looks to build confidence as the series moves to Utica-Rome on July 9th.

Perhaps the biggest story of the night though rests with the 3rd place finisher, the driver of the Halmar International car number 55 of Allison Ricci. The third generation driver out of New Paltz started in the third spot, and held off a hard charging Tim Fuller and Kenny Tremont for a number of laps to work her way onto the podium. I for one was very impressed by her run at the end of the night, and I don’t think this is the last time we will be talking about her this season on the tour.

All in all it was great night at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway once again, and good to see a few people I haven’t seen in a while at the racetrack. While the Small Blocks are off until July 9th, we are back in action on Sunday as we head to the Action Track of The East, the Utica-Rome Speedway.

Both the Sportsman and Pro Stocks will be in action, it was is shaping up to be a dozy. As they like to say in Central, New York. It’s coming up.