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Outsider Johnson Continues to Shine at Rockford, Looks to Repeat as National Short Track Champion
Loves Park, IL- The short track world can agree that Rockford Speedway is not an easy place to consistently run well at, especially if you are not one of the local stars. The home field advantage of knowing the character of the track is at a premium when racing high speed late models at the quarter mile paved oval originally built for open wheel midget cars in 1948. In the past decade, no outsider has made the most of their visits to Rockford than Casey Johnson. The accomplished driver from Edgerton, WI looks to continue that Rockford success during the 55th National Short Track Championships scheduled October 2-4, 2020.
The two-time and defending National Short Track Champion has found success beyond Sunday of NSTC. Always a threat to win when making a rare visit during weekly Saturday night action at Rockford years ago, Johnson remains a favorite each time his #5 hits the high banks. A 2010 Spring Classic win was his first Rockford victory, which he has added a pair of Saturday night Big 8 NSTC wins to. A couple close calls have met Johnson during the 200 lap Sunday finale which could have taken his win total in the annual classic from two to four, including a runner-up to Rich Bickle, Jr in 2012.
Just last weekend, Johnson captured his sixth Wisconsin State Championship at Jefferson Speedway where he is a three-time track Champion. Johnson won the 2019 Kar Korner All-Star 100 at Rockford on his way to the ARCA Midwest Tour Championship. Super Late Model victories at Slinger, Wisconsin International and Dells Raceway Park have kept the current Midwest Tour point leader Johnson busy this season. A two-time Champion in both Tundra Super Late Model and Big 8 Late Model action, Johnson has two track Championships in Wisconsin International Raceway’s Fox River Racing Club as well as a WIR Red, White and Blue State Championship. He finished in the runner-up position during the year’s Slinger Nationals and posted two top five efforts at Anderson Speedway as well. Both tracks are likened to Rockford which will host its only Super Late Model event of the season October 4.
‘One Great Racing Weekend’ will feature three days of racing October 2-4. Main gates will open at 3pm on Friday with Faster Than a Speeding Bullet Qualifying at 4pm, racing will begin at 6pm. Saturday’s spectator gates open at 2pm with qualifications at 2:15pm and racing at 5pm. Sunday morning will see gates open at 11am for a fan autograph session, with racing beginning at 1pm on Sunday afternoon. Friday admission prices are $18 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6-11 with ‘tots’ ages five and under admitted free. Adult admission is $22 on Saturday with kids tickets at $11 and ages five and under $4. Sunday prices are $25 for adults, $12 for kids and $6 for tots. Seating is general admission and at a limited capacity. Social distancing is required and masks are recommended. For additional information call the Speedway Box Office at 815-633-1500 or visit www.rockfordspeedway.com
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