Two Mohawk Owned Cars Take Super Dirt Week By Storm
By Shannon Burns
After a long season of high speed racing, hauling trailers and changing tires, two pit crews and drivers had good reason to celebrate this weekend. Danny Johnson, who drives a racecar owned by David Thompson, won the Super DIRT Week Eckerd 200 in the 358 Modified series – one of the biggest races of the year. At the same event, Louie Jackson of Akwesasne won first place in the Pro Stock 25 laps series.
Louie Jackson (center) with his crew and winning racecar.
Both drivers brought their celebration back to Akwesasne Wednesday evening, displaying their cars and posing for photographs with their pit crews at the Brass Horse Grille. Both pit crews are made up of mainly Akwesasne residents.
Super DIRT Week is held every October at the Syracuse Fairgrounds. It’s considered the racing season’s main event at this level.
On Saturday, during the DIRT Motorsports 358 Modified Series race, Johnson, driving Thompson’s no. 27J Quality Concrete-King Ent.-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/TEO, made some quick decisions on the track and in the end outlasted his closest opponent whose car ran out of gas.
“There was definitely a lot of action out there today with the track not very wide but it was finally coming around at the end,” said Johnson. “There were a lot of real good cars out there and we all came here to win. Everybody was really pushing hard with a lot of bump drafting going on, but that’s a big part of the game here at Syracuse when the track is narrow and all the guys want to get up front right away.”
Johnson was on the track competing against Akwesasne racers Roy Tarbell (who finished in 22nd place) and Carey Terrance (27th).
Johnson and his crew earned more than $100,000 in prize money. His crew includes Derek Comins, Perry Francis, Fred Thompson, Chris Sawatis and Mike Burdick.
Akwesasne’s investment in the DIRT Week races was made well worth it again on Sunday when Louie Jackson finished first in the Pro Stock race.
“So much for retiring” Jackson said after pleasing the crowd with his celebratory doughnuts.
Jackson is the owner and operator of his car, the Brass Horse Grille-Rangatangs Steakhouse & Pub #18 Chevrolet Monte Carlo/Stinger Chassis.
“The excitement and racing on the speedway should be like this every race!” Jackson further exclaimed. “It got a little rough towards the end of the race with plenty of contact between me and Michels [his closest opponent], but I’m not afraid of fast speeds so I’m ready to play as well if it comes down to it.
Fellow Akwesasne racers in the Pro Stock division were Clayton Benedict (10th), PJ Peters (11th), William Adams (15th), Jody Swamp (16th).
Jackson’s crew includes Pete Mitchell, Dion Mitchell, Hodge Jacobs, Scotty Henry, John Castleman, Rich Holiday, Elliot Lazore and Johnny Jackson.
Winners with their prizes
Photo: by Shannon Burns
