1/22/2020
Ransomville Speedway
ROBBIE JOHNSTON MOVING UP TO 358 MODIFIEDS
RANSOMVILLE, N.Y. (January 22, 2020) - The Krown Undercoating 358 Modified division at Ransomville Speedway will have a fresh new face in the lineup for the 2020 season. 18-year-old Robbie Johnston of Lockport, N.Y. will be moving up from the Investor’s Service Sportsman to compete weekly in Ransomville’s headline class.
Johnston, who drives the Innovative Auto Repair #33J, is coming off his best season in the Sportsman. He finished sixth in points at Ransomville with six top five finishes and nine top tens in 15 starts. Johnston also competed weekly at Merrittville Speedway in their Sportsman division, where he posted three top fives and six top tens.
“We have run pretty decent in the Sportsman during the last two seasons. I have been told that I'm prepared enough, and run well enough to race a Modified,” said Johnston.
Just like a number of other Ransomville drivers, Johnston started his career in go-karts before moving into full-sized race cars. He made his debut in the Stevenson’s Hardware Novice Sportsman in 2016 at the age of 14. It wasn’t long before he found victory lane on multiple occasions in the Novice class. Johnston made the switch to full-time Sportsman racing in 2018.
Johnston joins the short list of drivers that have graduated from the Novice Sportsman division to the 358 Modifieds. James Sweeting, Steve Lewis, Jr., Brandon Michaud, Andrew Spurback and Kenny Wills have previously made the jump.
“I’m really looking forward to gaining a ton of experience competing in the Modifieds,” said Johnston, “I can’t wait to compete against the “big dogs” of the division.”
Johnston graduated from Wilson High School last year. He currently works in retail along with his helping his father, Rob, at their Innovative Auto Repair shop. He is also sponsored by Buffalo Spine Surgery, Transit Road Car Wash and Nicholas & Hepp Machine Shop.
Ransomville Speedway hosts its drivers registration and division meetings this Sunday at the Ransomville Fire Hall. Full fendered division meetings begin at 11 a.m. followed by open-wheeled divisions at 12:30 p.m. Drivers will be able to purchase season passes and DIRTcar memberships for the 2020 season.
The annual mall car show at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara takes place the weekend of March 27-29. Entries for the 2020 Miss Ransomville contest are still being accepted by email at raceransomville@gmail.com or by messaging the Ransomville Speedway Facebook page.
Submitted By: Dave Buchanan