THOMPSON – Fans looking for a feature battle with non-stop action out front found that when the Late Models hit the track Sunday at the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway.
Ryan Morgan of North Franklin came out on top of a race-long battle at the front with Nick Johnson to win the 30-lap Late Model feature Sunday at the Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway.
“Hopefully there’s plenty of that this summer,” Morgan said of the fierce battle out front. “I’m really happy to be here, really happy to be in victory lane. It’s like we never left. Hopefully this is just the beginning. A lot of respect for [Johnson and Derek Gluchacki]. [Johnson] definitely had a better car I think, but I had the advantage today.”
Johnson, of Rehoboth, Mass., was second and Gluchacki, of North Dartmouth, Mass. was third.
“I’m really happy with [second] for the first race of the year,” Johnson said. “It was just a lot of fun racing him there. I’ve always been able to race him nice and clean. I think we put on a good show for the fans because we were battling all those 30 laps.”
On lap seven Johnson found a lane under Morgan in turn four. The pair came to the line side-by-side, but Morgan was able edge ahead back to the lead through turn one on lap eight.
Caution flew on lap 14. On the restart it was Morgan getting away from Johnson quickly. Behind the leading pair, Brian Tagg and Derek Gluchacki were left battling for third. Gluchacki was able to clear Tagg for third place on lap 15.
On lap 19 Johnson got a peek under Morgan in turn four, but Morgan was able to fight off the attack.
On lap 21 Johnson got back under Morgan again into turn one, but Morgan fought off the offensive maneuver once again. Johnson stalked Morgan’s bumper over the next seven laps, but couldn’t find a way to the front.
On the final lap Johnson got under Morgan into turn three. There was slight contact between the two through turn four, but Morgan was able to power off the corner and beat Johnson to the checkered.
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