Legionnaires watch 76 Freedom Car race

American Legion/David Law Firm 76 Freedom Car driver Jerick Johnson added to his top-10 finishes Saturday at Elko Speedway in Minneapolis during an early heat race, but he also managed a DNF in the feature late model contest.

"Checker or wrecker has been our season," Johnson said, following the feature race at the "Eve of Destruction" event near Minneapolis. "I made contact with another car and broke the sway bar to end our night."

Earlier in the feature race, Johnson had worked his way from a back-of-the-field starting position to 11th before being spun in turn two by another car. The spin again put Johnson at the tail end of the pack. He was steadily moving past cars when he made the contact that broke the sway bar on the 76 Freedom Car.

Johnson's seventh place finish in the heat race upped his top-10 finishes this season to 16. In addition to six wins, he has accumulated 12 top-five finishes in 21 starts. He has failed to finish five races.

The Elko race event gave Legionnaires attending this year's National Convention in Minneapolis the opportunity to see Johnson and The American Legion/David Law Firm 76 Freedom Car in action at no cost. Legion members were admitted free in to the race by presenting their American Legion card.

"We wanted to put on a good show for the Legionnaires," Johnson said. "It was our best opportunity to race with so many Legionnaires in the stands. We wanted to give them a checkered flag."