OFF-ROAD : Johnson Is Hit, Then Wins Race

Rick Johnson survived the elements and a collision with Ivan Stewart near the finish line to earn a victory late Saturday night in the Grand National sport truck class of the Mickey Thompson Stadium Off-Road race at Anaheim Stadium.

Johnson, driving a Chevy S-10 pickup truck, held off Stewart in the 12-lap main event before 57,036 rain-drenched fans.

After ramming into the rear end of Johnson’s truck as they raced to the finish line, Stewart crashed into the hydro-barriers as Johnson took the checkered flag. Stewart was penalized by race officials for rough driving and moved from second to fifth.

Stewart’s teammate, Rod Millen, moved to second and Walker Evans was third after the penalty.

“I’ve never been pushed across the finish line,” Johnson said. “I tried to stay in front of Ivan. I wasn’t going to let him get inside of me.”

It was Johnson’s third victory since making a successful transition from motocross to off-road racing a year ago. He celebrated in style, standing on the roof of his truck and waving to the crowd. Then, he embraced Stewart near the finish line.

“There’s something about the finish line that seems to attract Toyotas and Chevrolets together,” Johnson said. “Ivan was trying to beat me, not flip me. I hugged him and he said, ‘Good race.’ Of course I’m going to hug him. I won.”

The track conditions were sloppy after a rainstorm that turned the man-made course into a mess. Thunder roared and lightning flashed and race officials decided to trim two laps off the main events.

Kevin Smith of El Monte won the Super 1600cc class, Donavon Holland of Fresno won the four-wheel ATV class and Robert Drew of Simi Valley won the 250cc motorcycle race.