WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (June 4, 2011) - Any fan still unfamiliar with Brian Johnson Jr. coming into Saturday night now has a first-hand account of the prowess of the former ARCA West Champion. Seeing is believing - and Johnson was happy to provide the spectacle.

Johnson secured the lead from the pole and toyed with the field en route to a dominating victory in the Budweiser Late Models at Dells Raceway Park. Although the field had several chances to keep Johnson from visiting victory lane, no one was able to provide a challenge stout enough.

Along with Derek Childs, Johnson paced the field as it was set into motion for the 40-lap feature event. Wasting little time to rise to the head of the class, Johnson left Childs in the clutches of Mike Lichtfeld, Mike Ehde and Jesse Bernhagen.

On the fourth lap, Lichtfeld worked to the inside of Childs and tested the bottom concrete groove. Lichtfeld was able to secure the spot one lap later and had the task of trying to chase down Johnson, who had already built a substantial lead.

As Lichtfeld closed in on the leader, Davey Pennel and fast-qualifier Rich Schumann Jr. began to pick off spots high and low. Pennel overtook Bernhagen to move into the top three by lap 15 with Schumann motoring to the fourth spot one lap later.

By the time Pennel and Schumann had moved into the top four, Johnson and Lichtfeld had built almost a straightaway advantage. As the laps clicked off Johnson continued to stretch out his margin over Lichtfeld. That advantage, however, was erased by a Kelsey Bauer spin with 13 laps remaining in the feature.

On the restart Johnson started alone on the front row and immediately broke away from Lichtfeld and Pennel, who locked into a fierce battle for the runner-up spot. Pennel said he originally hoped to clear Lichtfeld on the outside after the restart, but couldn't find his way around.

He said it was time to try a new approach after that. "I worked on the inside of him and he finally got loose on his own and I didn't even have to move him, so I made the pass and finished second."

In the fourth spot, Rich Schumann Jr. had a good look at the wrestling match between Lichtfeld and Pennel. "I thought maybe I better just lay back," Schumann said. "I was thinking one of those two was going to wreck. I thought the fireworks (were) going to happen."

Pennel sealed his runner-up spot with three to go by making an inside move on Lichtfeld. The two continued to make contact to the start/finish line. Schumann crept in the open door to secure third. Lichtfeld finished fourth and Derek Childs rounded out the top five.

After a second-place finish last week, Johnson easily could be seen as a title contender. If that is the case, he'll need some help, said the Roscoe, Ill., driver. Obligation will take Johnson to Canada over the next few Saturdays. He hopes to be back in three weeks, perhaps as a team driver with car-owner Mike Beyer - who is confident the two can stay in the title hunt all season.

It's All About Luck

Whoever said it's better to be lucky than good, probably wasn't very good. There was no reason to throw Scott Luck in that category Saturday night. Luck backed up his second fast time of the season with a feature win in the 25-lap RacingOnline.com Sportsman main event.

With a few visitors from Illinois to spice up the division, a total of 15 Sportsman drivers were on hand. After the invert Luck started mid-pack around fellow top qualifiers Eric Melby and Austin Nason.

The early lead was secured by Rick Coppernoll. Just five laps in, Coppernoll began to feel the pressure from Mike Winters. Winters' charge was cut off, however, as Eric Melby experienced engine troubles and spun into turn three.

With last week's feature winner out of the mix, Luck and Nason restarted in sync with the lead duo. Nason secured the lead from Coppernoll early after the restart with Luck traveling right behind.

The 15-year-old Nason did his best to hold off Luck, but could not contain the veteran racer. Luck stole the lead with 15 circuits remaining, survived s final restart one lap after securing the top spot and cruised to victory.

Nason held on to second, Winters secured third, another Illinois driver, Rich Heinrichson, finished fourth and Becky Grabarski rounded out the top five.

You Can't Handle the Trute!

No one could contain the defending Schultz Small Engine Pure Stock Champion Saturday night. With fast time, a heat-race win thanks to a four-wide pass and a dominating performance in the 25-lap feature, Trute excelled in his return to the class.

Last week Trute loaned his car to Jeff Burrows, who drove to a respectable second place. Still sporting a primed, sandblasted and generally atrocious look, Trute claimed the car would not be painted until it won a feature. Perhaps that broom brought out for the sweep could be used to apply the first coat.

Trute slid to the inside of Don Fassett on lap four to secure the third spot. Just as he swiped the second spot from Doug Paul, leader Nick Lange hit the outside retaining wall. The skirmish with the boundary left Lange unable to continue and handed the lead to Trute.

Over the final laps Trute held court over Chad Knaus, or at least someone claiming to be the five-time championship crew chief. Bill Zeman finished third, Fassett fourth and last week's winner Mark Hohl rounded out the top five.

Preston Denies Rozek

When Steven Rozek grabbed the lead on lap seven of the 18-lap Fire Rescue Supply Bandit feature, it seemed in the bag. No one told Arch Preston that the race was over.

Rozek, last week's feature winner started behind the invert and raced his way up to third by the second lap. Preston's ascent to the top began much later as he remained locked out of the top five until the seventh circuit.

Early race leader Mike Sherwood gave Rozek all he could handle for four laps. As the two raced side-by-side Rozek bided his time and took the lead by utilizing the outside line.

While Rozek tore through early, Preston picked off spots slowly, finally moving into second by lap nine. Once he ventured to the front, Preston wasted no time challenging for the lead. Preston powered to the outside of Rozek on the front stretch as the two hit the stripe on lap nine and led the next trip across the start/finish line.

Preston pulled away over the final half of the race while Rozek raced comfortably in second. Fast qualifier Taylor Hammond raced from deep in the invert to finish third, Haley Kapp coupled her heat-race win with a fourth-place finish and Sherwood held on for fifth.

Up Next at Dells Raceway Park...

The Mid-American Stock Car Series makes its first of two visits to Dells Raceway Park for Dells Duel Part One. The series joins the Late Models, Pure Stocks and Bandits. Defending MASCS champion Lyle Nowak returns to defend his win from the thrilling September Showdown against former champions Bill Prietzel, Mark Pluer and James Swan.

Also, through Boring Bob's TOURs, fans can sign up for a chance to win a trip to Phoenix for a NASCAR weekend in November with MASCS racer Paige Decker and Decker Racing. The trip includes airfare from Milwaukee, Wis., one ticket to the NASCAR Nationwide Race and Sprint Cup race and a four night stay in Phoenix. Shuttle service to and from the track will also be provided. Sign up BOTH times Mid-Am is in town to double your chances to win! The trip will be given away during Dells Duel Part Two on August 20.

For more information on the Mid-American Stock Car Series visit www.midamericanracing.com

Qualifying begins at 4:30 p.m. with racing slated to start at 6:30.

Dells Raceway Park is located at N1070 Smith Road, five minutes north of downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wis., off highway 12-16. For more information including the latest news, the 2011 schedule and more visit www.dellsracewaypark.com.

QUICK RESULTS (full results available at dellsracewaypark.com Monday, June 6)

40-lap Budweiser Late Model Feature
1. Brian Johnson Jr., Roscoe, Ill.; 2. Davey Pennel, Sparta, Wis.; 3. Rich Schumann Jr., Portage, Wis.; 4. Mike Lichtfeld, Pardeeville, Wis.; 5. Derek Childs, Poynette, Wis.; 6. Jesse Bernhage, Markesan, Wis.; 7. Mike Ehde, Prairie du Chien, Wis.; 8. Bobby Kendall, Montello, Wis.; 9. Brian Hakala, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; 10. Jimmy Ganski, Shantytown, Wis.

25-lap RacingOnline.com Sportsman Feature
1. Scott Luck, Sauk City, Wis.; 2. Austin Nason, Roscoe, Ill.; 3. Mike Winters, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 4. Rich Heinrichson, Rockford, Ill.; 5. Becky Grabarski, Grand Marsh, Wis.

25-lap Schultz Small Engine Pure Stock Feature
1. Dave Trute, New Lisbon, Wis.; 2. Chad Knaus, Sun Prairie, Wis.; 3. Bill Zeman, Baraboo, Wis.; 4. Don Fassett, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; 5. Mark Hohl, Baraboo, Wis.

18-lap Fire Rescue Supply Bandit Feature
1. Arnold Preston, Pardeeville, Wis.; 2. Steven Rozek, Necedah, Wis.; 3. Taylor Hammond, Adams, Wis.; 4. Hunter Johnson, Adams, Wis.; 5. Mike Sherwood, Reedsburg, Wis.