A GREAT RUN IN THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE “BOOT HILL SHOWDOWN” AT DODGE CITY YIELDS A FIFTH PLACE FINISH IN THE E&K #41 MAXIM FOR JOHNSON ON HIS SECOND NIGHT BACK IN THE CAR

DODGE CITY, KANSAS (July 3, 2015) – It was a beautiful day in southwest Kansas where Jason and the JJR team were at Dodge City Raceway Park for the first of two nights of racing action in the “Boot Hill Showdown” at the 3/8 mile, high banked clay oval. There were 21 cars in the pit area ready to put on a show with the World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series.

There is a lot for people to do in Dodge City over the Independence Day weekend, like visiting the Boot Hill Museum or Casino to moseying up to the bar at the Long Branch Saloon. But everyone in town seemed to head out to Dodge City Raceway Park as the grandstands were packed full of eager fans that were buzzing to see some high speed sprint car action. Time trials were the first order of business and Jaxx was up in the stands with his headphones on cheering on his daddy. Jason was the fifteenth car to push off for time trials in the E&K/Dissolvalloy Frac Ball Revolution #41 Maxim. His first lap was a good one at 12.963 seconds. He followed that up with a little slower lap at 13.250 seconds, but his first lap was ninth quick overall when the individual performance portion of the show was completed.

When the heat race lineups were set, the Cajun Sensation found himself on the outside of the front row in heat three beside Shane Stewart, with Joey Saldana and Daryn Pittman in the row behind. When the green flag waved, the Eunice, Louisiana native took off in the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/Momentum Racing Suspensions Maxim into the clean air. He was setting the pace with Stewart close behind. Lap after lap he continued to set a rapid pace before charging across the finish line with the heat race victory ahead of Stewart, Pittman, Saldana and Brad Loyet with Don Droud Jr. capturing the sixth and final qualifying spot.

With his heat race win, the JJR team put the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/K&N Filters racecar in the Dash event. The pre-race order, which is based on the qualifiers best time trial lap times, showed Jason in the sixth position. When the six pill was pulled for the inversion, it put that Ragin’ Cajun on the pole for the Dash event with David Gravel to his right and Jason Sides and Daryn Pittman on their rear nerf bars. When the green flag waved over the field their engines came to life. The outside line was faster and Gravel moved into the lead directly ahead of Johnson. The running order stayed that way over the event distance with Gravel taking the win and Jason bringing his JJR entry home second.

The 30 lap feature event was up next. Jason climbed into his ButlerBuilt Professional Seat System and buckled his Crow Enterprizes safety belts securely. He pulled on his Shell Shock custom painted Arai Helmet and tightened the chin strap. After pulling on his Oakley racing gloves, he pushed off and headed out onto the racing surface. With an unimpeded view from his front row starting spot he was determined to keep it when the racing went live. After the World of Outlaws traditional four wide salute to the amazing fans, it was race time. The lights changed to green and in his second race back, following 12-weeks off due to injury, the Ragin’ Cajun was leading the field. He led the first six laps before surrendering the lead to Donny Schatz as the front two worked through lap traffic. Jason stayed close to Schatz and was all over him trying to wrestle back the lead. Fifth starting Jason Sides was really fast and in the mix with the top two now. He got by Jason and then passed Schatz for the lead. Sides would go on to win his first race of the year followed by Schatz, Saldana and Pittman, with Jason landing his Priority Aviation entry with a fifth place finish.

A great run for the forty one and the Ragin’ Cajun! Following the race, Jason commented, “It feels really good to get a top five finish after watching for the last three months.” He continued, “The JJR boys – Philip, Cole and Blaine – have been working their tails off, so I am glad we were able to bring home a solid finish for them.” He explained, “They gave me really good car tonight. It felt awesome to lead some laps. As the fuel load came off, the car started to get tighter. But, it was a great night getting a fifth place finish!”