RANSOMVILLE, N.Y. -- Jim Johnson lead only one lap at Ransomville Speedway on Friday night, but it was the one that paid $1000.

Johnson danced with devil in a daring high side sweep in turns three and four as TJ Shaw and Darren Kish fought for the bottom and the win. Neither believed anyone would be on top trying to pass. Johnson beat the devil, Shaw, and Kish and won the hearts of the race fans for an incredible show of talent and nerve.

TJ Shaw shot from the Brad Penn Oil Pole starting spot to lead the first nine laps in his Koester Water Systems – Mastel Ford sponsored GRT Taurus. Shaw lost the top spot to Randy Hall and lap ten. Hall had been pestering Shaw for the prior eight laps.

Once in front Randy Hall, the Series point leader, was able to open some breathing room over Shaw and friends. On lap 28 while most [including this writer] were watching Shaw and Kish fight for the runner-up spot, Hall caught the back of the pack. Brian Kotarski lost control of his BDK Construction Shaw Monte Carlo just as he and leader Hall entered turn three. The resulting crash destroyed Kotarski’s race car and badly crippled Hall’s Duggan and Duggan Contracting CRS Camry.

After the red flag restart Shaw and Kish went back to battle only now the stakes were much higher. They were battling for the win. Both were running very consistent lines on the bottom with Kish applying all of his talent trying to find an opening which Shaw was not about to offer.

“They bobbled just a tick and I slammed this thing [his Security Roofing – Mike O Ford Shaw Fusion] to the berm and never let off. We have wanted one of these Series wins forever. The temperature gauge was at 250, but the car was fast, the track was unbelievable fast, and we really wanted to win here tonight. Three years ago – exactly three years ago tonight- I rolled and destroyed my DIRT Pro Stock at this track. Now we are even,” related the 39 year old racer from Batavia as he welcomed his team to Victory Lane.

Johnson became the eighth different winner in nine Series events this year and the 20th different winner after 40 Series events going back to 2003.

TJ Shaw finished second for his best ever Series finish. Kish was third in what may have been his last ever BRP CanAm event. Kish plans to be a full time hired gun for Stan Miskin in the ODLM Series next year and believes that his car will be sold tomorrow. Rich Michael finished fourth after starting 22nd to earn the$100 DART Hard Charger Award. Tim Schram was fifth across the line to match his previous best finish which came in the Black Rock Speedway opener in April.

Jon Rivers recovered from the opening lap crash to finish sixth and gained 20 points on Hall for the Series point lead. Rivers also emerged as the winner of the $3000 LEAF Racewear Border Battle contest. Last week’s winner Larry Knowles had another strong performance to finish seventh. Paul Grigsby, another driver caught in the first lap crash returned and earned eighth place money. Jr. Peters dodged all of the bullets tonight and brought his Quality Quik Lube Dodge home ninth. Dave Stephens completed the top ten to match his best ever finish earned just last week.

In addition to the lap 27 red flag for Hall and Kotarski the race was stopped after the first lap for a massive eight car crash which left the back straight blocked. Involved were Dave Miller, Paul Grigsby, Jeremy Wonderling, Jon Rivers, TJ Newton, Neil Patterson, Mikey Wonderling, and Todd Hansen. There were no driver injuries, but Miller and Newton were done for the night.

F/A Products – Clevite Engine Parts Heat Race winners were TJ Shaw, Paul Grigsby, Tim Schram, and Darren Kish.

The Ed Carley Motorsports B-Main winner was Brian Kotarski.

The $100 DART Machinery Hard Charger was Rich Michael who advanced from 22nd to 4th.

The Suzuki Motorcycles and ATVs Hard Luck recipient was Pete Waldron.

30 Lap Pro Speed / East Coast Speed.com A-Main finish: JIM JOHNSON, TJ Shaw, Darren Kish, Rich Michael, Tim Schram, Jon Rivers, Larry Knowles, Paul Grigsby, Jr Peters, Dave Stephens, Rick Beales, Jeremy Wonderling, Randy Hall, Brian Kotarski, Dave DuBois, Rick Baker, Ray Henry, Jeff Chesebro, Todd Hansen, Ron Baker, Steve Dixon, Matt Cobb, Mikey Wonderling, Neil Patterson, Dave Miller, TJ Newton DNQ: Jessica Pierce, Wayne Robertson, Pete Waldron, Jr Green



Marketing Partners for the 2006 BRP CanAm Series include: Bicknell Racing Products, Bob Mullen’s Pro Speed, Brad Penn Racing Oil, Can & Bottle Return of Delevan, Clevite Engine Parts, Cool Edge Web Designs, Cousin’s Designs, DANA Corporation, DART Machinery / DART Heads, DIRT MotorSports, DSE1 Race Engines, East Coast Speed.com, Ed Carley Motorsports, F/A Products, Hoosier Tire of Canada, LEAF Racewear, Lias Tire – American Racer, Mohawk Speed Shop, Signs Plus of Kanona, Southeastern Transmissions, Suzuki Motorcycle & ATV Dealers of NY & PA, the Young Family, and the host tracks.

Tonight [Saturday September 16 the touring late model race teams will travel to Woodhull Raceway for their annual visit to the high banks of that Steuben County track. The Final 2006 Series point event will be the $1422 to win Brock Young Memorial at McKean County Raceway on Saturday September 30. Following the Series championship many of the BRP CanAm Late Model Series race teams will return to Woodhull on Friday October 6 and to Black Rock on Saturday October 7. The Black Rock Speedway event is a $10,000 / $2000 to win / $200 to start non-point affair.

For complete BRP CanAm Series news and information see www.brpcanamseries.com.