Johnny Walker celebrates his third victory of the season in the Street Stock feature Friday at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Jim DuPont)
STAFFORD – When it comes to two-time Stafford Speedway Street Stock division champion Johnny Walker, there’s rarely any shortage of dramatic theater.
Walker is one of the showmen in the paddock at Stafford Motor Speedway.
And Friday at Stafford on Dunleavy’s Modifiedz Night it was Walker once again seemingly racing to a Hollywood scripted story in his Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer sponsored Street Stock.
Walker has won the last two Street Stock titles at Stafford, but before Friday’s feature the Ludlow, Mass. driver said he would be taking a break from racing for a bit. But Walker made sure to leave himself fresh in the minds of fans at Stafford while he’s gone.
Walker rallied from an early spin to win the 20-lap Street Stock feature Friday at Stafford Speedway. It was Walker’s second consecutive win and third victory in four starts this season.
Walker said he’s hoping to return to the track before the end of the season, but currently has no timetable on that possible return.
“Financials … are really kicking my butt right now,” Walker said. “Just graduating school and now starting a new job and I just bought a house. My life has been an absolute whirlwind lately. I’ve got to remember that this is my hobby and now if I don’t pay my mortgage they’re going to take away my house. … We’re going to have to park the car for a little bit.”
Travis Hydar of Woodbury was second and Nicole Chambrello of Kensington third.
Walker got spun by Michael Hopkins on lap four and fell back to the rear of the 22-car field. From there walked knifed his way back to the front with authority. Following a lap 16 restart Walker got by Hydar in the outside lane off of turn four and never trailed again.
“On a scale of 1 to 10 that was about a 12,” Walker said of the intensity of drive from the back of the field. “Hopkins got into me, sent me around. They didn’t put him to the back but they put me to the back for being a caution car or whatever, so I thought that was kind of unfair. They say angry drivers drive best and that was 110 percent angry driving. I was able to come back through the field as fast as I could.”
Amen, finally a racer that puts his life priorities ahead of the racing hobby. I have been around for decades and have seen way to may families make sacrifices just to keep the race car at the track. I guess that is why they say racing is addictive as smoking or doing drugs. Congrats on your win and setting your priorities in order. Hope to see you back at some point in 2018.
Second Old Timers observation and highlight Nicky Chambrello’s great run. Passing the most cars coming from 18th at the start to a third and navigating some hairy traffic and avoiding wrecks while doing it. She has become a first rate driver in the division for sure and a championship contender. Don’t look now but two gals are in first and second place in the points standings.
What an awesome race.. it’s too bad Johnny can’t get a sponsor or sponsors to foot the bill for the summer. He was awesome to watch. I am glad he is keeping his priorities straight and will be missed. thanks for being a class act Johnny and true champion!!!