Dominion Raceway is rewriting the story of the future of grassroots racing. For 2025, the track made a bold move when it designated its America Racer Late Models as the recipient of NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I points.
A decision that’s shaking up the national championship race is also shining a spotlight on a new generation of talent.
At the center of this shift is 17-year-old Chase Johnson, a third-generation racer from Midlothian, Virginia. With eight wins this season, including a hot streak of five consecutive victories, Johnson leads the nation in Division I points and the battle for Rookie of the Year.
Johnson’s journey began at age 8 behind the wheel of a go-kart, where he stunned everyone by winning his first race. It was a sign of things to come.
Growing up, he idolized NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon but drew his deepest inspiration from his father Eddie Johnson. As the grandson of Cal Johnson, another racing pioneer, Chase Johnson represents the third generation of the legacy that carries forward the grit of Ricky Johnson Racing’s No. 57 America Racer Late Model, powered by sponsors like Medek Corp, LA Landscaping, and LA Engineering Race Engines.
His car “Digger,” a 2001 Townsend chassis, has been around longer than the driver himself.
By day, Johnson works for Avis Electric Company. But on race nights, he’s a force of nature, showing consistent ability to work his way through the pack with a smooth technical approach. Many fans have praised Johnson’s driving style while others have also criticized it, noting the driver isn’t afraid of making contact in tight battles. Last weekend, Johnson apologized in Victory Lane to his good friend and fellow racer Dan Rogers (currently 8th in D1 points) for an on-track, three-wide battle for the win between him, Aaron Donnelly and Rogers that ultimately resulted in Rogers spinning.
Everyone agrees the racing at Dominion through the entire field has been exciting to watch.
Dominion Raceway’s decision to elevate the America Racer Late Models to DI status is more than a rule change; it’s a stride toward strengthening local weekly racing. Designed in 2017 to combat the skyrocketing costs of traditional late-model racing, the America Racer class, with its max 405-horsepower 604 crate motors, Holley 500 carburetors and affordable 8-inch American Racer tires, puts the driver’s skill at the forefront.
Last year, Johnson dominated the division, clinching both the Dominion track championship and the NAAPWS Division III Southeast Region title.
“We had five cars every week that could win,” he said, “It is awesome to be in Division I this year. I think it’s going to bring in more competition, which I am super excited for the challenge that will bring.”
For Johnson, every race is personal. It’s not just about the checkered flag; it’s about honoring the family legacy that flows through his veins.
“I grew up watching my dad race, and he’s always been my biggest hero,” Johnson said.
The No. 57 car, adorned with the Carolina Blue and Chevy Orange colors, is more than a machine; it’s a symbol of a family’s love for racing, passed down through generations. As Johnson rips around Dominion’s 4/10-mile oval, he carries the hope of every young racer dreaming of making it big.
Dominion’s gamble to spotlight the America Racer Late Models echoes a historic moment from 1978, when Old Dominion Speedway’s Dickie Gore introduced cost-saving rules that birthed the Late Model Stock Car class.
That innovation transformed NASCAR’s grassroots scene, and now Dominion is betting on history repeating itself.
“It is scary; it is a lot of risk,” track owner Steve Britt admitted. “But this venue is unique, and it has wide-open thinking. You have to have courage; you have to believe.”
Johnson embodies that courage. At 17, he’s not just racing against the best competitors in the nation but also against the weight of expectation, proving a kid can
lead the nation in NASCAR’s premier short-track division with a modest team and a humble approach.
This weekend, Johnson will climb back into the No. 57 for another set of twin 50-lap races at Dominion Raceway, where the stands will buzz with anticipation. Fans know
they’re witnessing something special, a teenager rewriting the script of stock-car racing.
The America Racer Late Models are more than an experiment; they’re the future. As Chase battles for the national championship top spot, not far behind in 6th is fellow Rookie of the Year contender Conner Weddell and longtime driver Mike Ganoe in 12th.
For Chase Johnson, this isn’t just a season; it’s a statement. A third generation racer, leading the nation at 17, is more than a story of wins. It’s a story of hope, resilience and the unbreakable spirit of NASCAR’s grassroots soul.
Get your tickets to the action on June 28th to watch Twin Truckin Thunder America Racer Late Models, VA Modified, Twin Kelly Heating & Cooling UCAR, Mini Stock and Twin Dominion Stocks. Parents, bring your kids’ Radio Flyer Juicebox racer or bike (no modifications) and cheer them on before the NASCAR racing begins Saturday. Participants will be grouped by age. We will drop the green Flag for kids at 6:30 p.m. on the frontstretch before we go Advance Auto Parts weekly racing at 7 p.m. Kids 15 and under get free grandstand admission with a paid adult thanks to Gateway Home Improvements.