Johnson Pockets a Rich Purse at Ventura Raceway

Walt Johnson of Sun Valley recorded the biggest and richest win of his career Saturday night at Ventura Raceway.

Johnson started on the pole and led to the finish in the U.S. Auto Club’s Western States Series three-quarter Midget main event before a crowd of 2,262. The Western States Dirt championship title that came along with that win added up to a $1,000 purse for Johnson, his largest payday as a racer.

Johnson held off three challenges on restarts. Jay Drake of Val Verde eventually finished second ahead of Scott Hansen of Simi Valley.

Mike Faria of Tipton won the 30-lap Northern Stars Mini-Sprint main event in that division’s first appearance of the year at Ventura. Rick Carstens of Fresno finished second in a heavily congested race.

Chris Faria of Tipton was third.

Rick Hendrix of Simi Valley, the three-quarter Midget season points leader, had to win the 15-lap semi-main event race to qualify for the feature and add to his point total. Hendrix finished fourth.