All photos courtesy of Ben Hallock.

by Andrew Schaller
JEFFERSON, WI (Saturday, May 19, 2012) Stoughton’s Casey Johnson survived an early incident and led every lap of the B&M Electric 50 lap Late Model feature at Jefferson Speedway on Saturday night. Johnson saved his best for last as he overcame a late caution and held on to get the win, his first of 2012.

Starting on the front row alongside Brady Liddle, Johnson grabbed control of the top spot on lap two as he slid up in front of Liddle down the backstretch. A lap later, Johnson and Liddle touched entering turn one which sent Johnson spinning and forcing the first caution of the event. Liddle subsequently claimed responsibility for the incident allowing Johnson to retain his lead and forcing Liddle to the rear for the restart. As racing resumed, the leaders remained single file with Johnson out front followed by Shaun Scheel in second and Bob Kahler third. Johnson began to pull away from the field while Kyle Jarlsberg was making his way through the field. Jarlsberg moved into fifth just past the halfway mark of the race while Johnson continued to stretch his advantage. By lap 30, Jarlsberg was in fourth and challenging Kahler for third. Jarlsberg made the pass for third on lap 31 as he quickly motored under Scheel looking for second. Jarlsberg completed the pass on lap 32 as he looked to close on Johnson at the point. Jarlsberg cut into Johnson’s lead only slightly until lap 42 when the caution waved for the final time closing up the leaders for the final eight circuits. But Johnson flexed his muscle over the closing laps as Jarlsberg was unable to make a move for the lead. At the checkers, it was Johnson for the win followed by Jarlsberg, Scheel, Steve Dobbratz and Jason Erickson.