NASCAR star Tony Stewart was racing the Old Spice No. 20 on Tuesday night in Mechanicsburg. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - BIL BOWDEN)

MECHANICSBURG -- NASCAR star Tony Stewart thrilled many of his fans on hand while leading Tuesday night's Kasey Kahne Foundation Benefit race at Williams Grove Speedway.

The two-time NASCAR champion and Kahne were in town, along with fellow NASCAR driver Dave Blaney, for the third part of the three-race Ollie's Bargain Outlet Challenge.

However, Stewart's lead in the 360 cc race ended after 10 of the scheduled 30 laps when veteran World of Outlaw driver Stevie Smith made a great pass for first.

But Smith's advantage didn't last either as Jason Johnson took over after 13 passes and never looked back capturing the checkered flag in style.

Johnson, who moved to York County a few years ago and competes on the American Sprint Car

Zachary Wood, 5, of Lancaster County, is insulated from the noice Tuesday as he roots for NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. His brother, Tyler, 8, at left, is a big Stewart fan and has his bedroom decorated in Stewart gear. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - BIL BOWDEN)
on Tour circuit, certainly had the most incentive to win.

Not only did he take home the race prize of $6,000, but as winner of one of the previous two Kahne foundation races, the 32-year-old took home a $50,000 bonus.

"Oh man this is exciting," Johnson said. "I thought about it a lot during the week. I really owe a lot to my crew. I am very proud."

Grove 410 points lead Fred Rahmer finished second with Smith placing third.

Coincidentally, Johnson on occasion will run with the World of Outlaws in a car Kahne owns. The popular NASCAR driver was thrilled for his friend.

"I definitely was," he said. "As soon as I took the checkered, I looked up at the board and was hoping to see the 41."

With Johnson dominating, the most excitement might have been in Lap 21 when 16-year-old Aaron Ott of East Berlin passed Stewart and went on to an impressive fourth-place finish.

Stewart, who is currently sixth in the NASCAR points, finished fifth, although he had some good luck that earned him the pole for the feature.

All three of the NASCAR drivers were in the third heat race, along with Williams Grove 358 points leader Pat Cannon and Red Lion's Cody Darrah, who stepped down from the 410 sprint series.

Maybe it

NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart was one of three nationally-known drivers at Williams Grove this week. Fans flocked to the charity race Tuesday night to see their NASCAR favorites. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - BIL BOWDEN)
was rust, but things didn't go well early for the big boys. Blaney spun out, causing a yellow flag on the first lap, and Stewart spun in Turn 4 during the caution.

Stewart poked fun at himself when the three famed racers took the flagstand and spoke with the crowd before the C main.

"Luckily Blaney spun out and didn't see it," he said. "I looked over at Kasey, and he was almost laughing his (butt) off."

A short while later, Stewart pulled the No. 1 starting spot for the six-lap dash race with four heat winners and the four fastest time trial finishers.

"I was hoping to pull either an eight or the one. I am not good in traffic," he said.

It was Stewart's first time racing a sprint car at Williams Grove, although he did pick up a win in 2003 driving a modified car.

Kahne, who at 19-years-old was the Williams Grove opening day winner in 2000, took ninth, and Blaney began in the 17th spot before running into car trouble in Lap 6 and never returned.

But it certainly was a good night for the foundation.

"It was really successful," Kahne said. "Thanks to Williams Grove for helping us out. I was excited to be in this race."

Rahmer captured the B main and Kevin Nagy won the C.

snavaroli@ydr.com; 771-2060.