GNSS visits Dominion and tempers cool in ARLM

Two weeks ago Dan Rogers’ car was destroyed after a last-lap battle for third place continued after the checkered flag. 

After a fortnight of hard-work, the checkered flag would wave again, this time for him. 

The victory was made even more special considering that Rogers called his shot during the pre race an fest, when he threw out the idea of leading every lap of the race. 

“That was the plan,” said Rogers. “When you work that hard to put a car together, you put it on em.” 

After qualifying fifth, Rogers got inverted to the pole. The luck of the draw helped create an opportunity, but the work behind the steering wheel ensured the victory in the first of Twin 50 lap races for the Truckin’ Thunder America Racer Late Models.. 

“I knew if we could get out front we could lead it wire to wire,” said Rogers. “And we did. We got it done.” 

The win was Rogers’ second win of the season and he capped off the night with a second place finish in the latter race of Twin 50s. 

“When we got wrecked after the checkered flag, that was nonsense,” said Rogers. “It tore our car all to pieces. To come out here and win the race, it is very validating.” 

The Rogers post-race wreck drama took a backseat in the storylines two-weeks ago, as the larger story was the rough driving between Davey Callihan and Chase Johnson. The veteran and the young-gun swapped plenty of paint, which ultimately led to Johnson being spun out by Callihan late in the race. 

That story line was one to watch coming into the final night in May, but conversations between the two drivers allowed for cooler heads to prevail. Callihan led the first 16 laps of the subsequent ARLM race, but Johnson was able to get by cleanly, and brought Rogers along in tow. 

Johnson rode the lead the rest of the way, and, like Rogers, was able to find some redemption. The victory was the #57’s fourth win of the season. 

“We’ve gotten off to a great start,” said Johnson. “This was a great way to rebound.” 

In victory lane, Johnson brought up the pass of Callihan and said he thinks continued clean racing will be in the future for the two.

“We had a long talk and hashed out a few things,” said Johnson. “I think going forward, you’ll see clean and respectful racing.” 

The Grand National Super Series was back at Dominion, and they also ran Twin 50s. 

AJ Henriksen took the lead on a restart with 25 to-go, and survived a few more restarts to win the first race. 

In the second race of the Grand Nationals, Henriksen again jumped out to the lead, but after a competition caution, Jeremy Mayfield was able to pass him. Mayfield piloted his red #19 to the checkered flag. 

The win was the former Cup driver’s first at DR. 

“[To win here] means a lot,” said Mayfield. “We’ve been here a few times and something would happen or we don’t run good. We just kept working on the car.” 

In other races, Michael Frayer won in the Kelly’s Heating and Cooling UCars, while Eric Fowlkes won for the Virginia Modifieds. Richard Storm and James Johnson picked up wins in the 6 and 8-cylinder Any Cars. 

The Truckin’ Thunder America Racer Late Models return next week, June 7, for RC Airplane Night at the Races. The evening of racing will also feature the UCars, 4-cylinder Any Cars, Mini Stocks, Mini Cups, Legends, and Bandos. https://www.dominionraceway.com/event-details/saturday-night-nascar-racing-4