News Director 
Story By: DAVE BUCHANAN / RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY – RANSOMVILLE, NY – 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.
“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.
