ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Locally based teenager Nikita Johnson put on a master class in Sunday’s Discount Tire Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. But it was Johnson, who turned out to be the early mover after starting third. As the two JHDD teammates, Papasavvas and Hughes, squabbled over third, Sikes kept the pressure on Johnson, but the youngster was wise to every move. With two laps to go, Sikes took advantage of the draft to haul alongside the leader on the main straightaway, only to once again leave his braking a fraction too late and slid wide at turn one, which allowed Johnson to regain the position. Hughes found a way past Papasavvas on lap 12 at turn 13 but could make no impression on the two leaders.

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