
By Ben Deatherage
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The parade of different Friesen Performance IMCA Modified winners continued Friday at Electric City Speedway with Taylor Johnson taking his turn in victory lane.
Still looking to have its first repeat winner of 2024, the Modifieds saw Pacer Popham get ahead of Mike Pistelak to pace the pack on the initial green. Johnson tried to sneak inside of the leader in turn two but could not perform the overtake.
Popham held his ground against Johnson as the race unfolded, with Pistelak and Joey Price battling for third. Price passed Pistelak on lap three while Popham and Johnson were starting to inch closer to each other.
Price suddenly got added to the mix, setting the stage for a brief three-car tussle. Popham experienced mechanical issues on lap six, forcing Price and Johnson into evasive action. Price won the race back to the line but the yellow came out for Popham before everyone crossed the wire, so Johnson inherited the top spot by reverting to the last completed lap.
Johnson led the field back to green and Price stayed close behind, finally managing to beat Johnson to the flag stand on lap 11.
Johnson countered with a skillful crossover move before the two briefly made contact in the second set of turns. Price then executed a brilliant exit from the second turn, winning the race into the next corner. However, just as it looked he would lead the 16th circuit, he got out of sorts in turn four, which allowed Johnson to get back underneath him and retain the lead.
Johnson emerged as the victor in the main event, becoming the eighth different winner in as many shows. Price was a close second, followed by Shawn LaRocque, Ty Clemens and Pistelak.
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