RJ Johnson takes third in NASCAR Late Models opener at Irwindale

Canyon Country’s RJ Johnson has a new car for the 2010 season at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. He will be in the No. 15 car for High Point Racing in the NASCAR Late Model division.
Johnson, who won the NASCAR Super Trucks championship at Irwindale last year, is one of five drivers for the High Point Racing team.
The NASCAR Late Model championship is very much up for grabs. Nick Joanides, a driver from Woodland Hills and the reigning Late Model champion, started seventh and finished 19th, but he might not race the entire season. Depending on how he finishes from race to race will determine if he continues throughout the season.
Tim Huddleston of Agoura Hills, Johnson’s boss and the owner of High Point Racing, won the Late Model championship in 2008 and is a three-time Late Model champions at Irwindale.
Johnson won the S2 race on opening night at Irwindale. But Johnson said his race in the S2 car was probably a one shot deal. His focus will be in the Late Models.
He finished third in the Late Model race.
“That had to be as fun to watch as it was fun to drive,” Johnson said. “Travis was really strong.”