A FLAT LEFT REAR DEFLATES THE RAGIN’ CAJUN’S RETURN TO THE TRACK WITH A 14TH PLACE FINISH AT LAKESIDE SPEEDWAY ON HIS FIRST NIGHT BACK IN ACTION

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS (July 1, 2015) – It was 85 days since Jason was in the cockpit of the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/E&K Construction #41 Maxim at the track, but it sure seemed much longer than that for the native from Eunice, Louisiana and all of his fans. After sustaining a serious back injury in a racing incident on April 8th at Placerville Speedway, the driver affectionately known as the “Ragin’ Cajun” was back in action with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Louisiana speedster was brimming with excitement to get going as he buckled into his ButlerBuilt Professional Seat System that was equipped with a DJS Safe Seat custom fitted insert produced by Dave Sharpley Jr. in Indianapolis, Indiana. He rolled out for hot laps and when he saw the green flag waving he certainly knew what to do . . . he pounded the loud pedal and set sail aboard his Priority Aviation machine as he took off. Ahhhh, now everything was back in order.

With 21 cars in the pit area, he was the 19th car to hit the track for his two laps against the stop watch in time trials. Once in his seat comfortably, he pulled down on his Crow Enterprizes safety belts one last time before tightening the chin strap on his Shell Shock custom painted Arai Helmet. With a small bump on the rear nerf bar his Kistler Engine came to life and he was on the move. It didn’t take long to see he was back with his characteristic determination, focus and grit. The quicker of his two qualifying laps was 13.855 seconds, which was 6th quick overall on the night. Boom! The Cajun was back on track!

He would line up from the third starting spot in the E&K Construction/Fischer Body Shop Maxim in the last of three heat races with David Gravel to his outside. Front row starters Bryan Clausen and Danny Lasoski brought the field up to speed as Jason settled into the fourth running position. With the top six moving onto the feature event he ran at speed on the fast surface the entire distance as he followed Lasoski, Clausen and Gravel across the finish line.

Just missing out on making the Dash, Jason and the JJR team went to work on their Maxim to ready it for the 30-lap feature event. When the call for the cars came across the public address system, he was ready to go. He rolled into his ninth starting position beside Donny Schatz in the Bad Boy Buggies #15. David Gravel and Joey Saldana made up the front row and when the pre-race introductions were completed and the green flag waved they drag raced down the front straightaway side-by-side. Saldana would take the point position as Jason was racing in the tenth spot in the E&K Construction/Wilwood Disc Brakes #41. A caution flag on lap 13 for Brian Brown slowed the action and regrouped the high speed field. When racing resumed the leaders quickly caught the rear of the field and started to work through lap traffic. Schatz made a late race pass for the lead over Saldana and with one lap to go Jason shredded his left rear tire heading into turn one at a high rate of speed. He brought the car to a controlled stop and Phil, Cole and Blaine changed the tire and got the Ragin’ Cajun back out on the track as he tagged the rear of the field for the green-white-checkered restart. When the checkered flag flew, he garnered a 14th place finish on his first night back at the track with Schatz collecting his 18th win of the season.

After the race Jason stated, “It sure was good to be back in the car.” He continued by highlighting, “I just want to thank everyone who stuck by us following the accident. From our sponsors to the JJR team to our family, friends and fans, everyone has just been so supportive. We cannot thank them all enough. They have all just been great!” He concluded by saying, “We will keep digging in this JJR forty one and make them all proud.”

The team now heads to Dodge City Raceway Park for two nights of racing action in the Boot Hill Showdown on Friday and Saturday night. Put your boots on and come out and celebrate the fourth of July World of Outlaw style! Stop by the hauler and t-shirt trailer to see Jason, Bobbi, Jaxx and the entire JJR team, as well as, our valued sponsorship partners.