JOHNSON AND JJR TEAM DISPLAY THEIR PERSISTENCE AND DETERMINATION IN A 22ND PLACE RUN ON NIGHT ONE AT CEDAR LAKE SPEEDWAY

NEW RICHMOND, WISCONSIN (July 11, 2015) – Jason and the JJR team headed North to New Richmond, Wisconsin to race at Cedar Lake Speedway. The World of Outlaws (WoO) have a long history here at the speedway as they have been visiting the racing oval for over 30 years. There were 31 cars that showed up for the first of a two-consecutive nights of racing at the high-banked, 3/8 mile oval. It starts a long and busy haul for the Outlaws and the JJR team as the competitors get ready to embark on what is affectionately referred to in the sprint car racing community as “The Month of Money”.

Jason pushed off eleventh in the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Wilwood #41 for time trials. The times are quick here so the slightest bobble or missed setup will shave off a precious few but necessary tenths of a second. The Rocky Mount, Missouri resident turned in a good lap at 11.943 seconds, which when all was said and done and the air became quiet was 20th quick overall.

His time trial lap relegated him to the seventh starting position in the second heat race where he would share a row with his former ASCS National Tour competitor Brad Loyet. When the green flag waved to authorization them to get at it at a high rate of speed, front row starters David Gravel and Craig Dollansky brought the field under the waving green flag. Jason was racing hard inside the cockpit of his Maxim, but when the flagman showed the white flag indicating one to go he shredded a left rear tire bringing out the caution. The crew changed the tire and a fortuitous red flag flew when they tried to resume racing when Brandon Thorn flipped, giving Jason a chance to tag the rear of the field for the restart. The Ragin’ Cajun then put on a bullish charge with one to go to salvage a seventh place run, missing out on a transfer spot to the feature by one position.

Entered in the Last Chance Showdown, Jason and the team were determined to get into the feature field. They were ready to earn it. In order to do that they would need a top four finish in this event. With Dollansky and Brooke Tatnell pacing the field, Jason watch them closely at the start through his Arai Helmet. As soon as he sensed the acceleration he pounded the loud pedal and was on the move under green flag racing action. He drove hard into the third spot aboard the Fischer Body Shop entry. He found his line and stuck to it as he made quick work around the oval. Dollansky would be the first car to the checkers followed by Jason Sides and the Cajun Sensation with Tatnell securing the final transfer spot.

The A-Main, which is the feature event, was slated for 35 laps. At these small bullrings a lot happens and it happens quickly. Daryn Pittman and Jamie Veal in his family owned 35AU, an impressive young driver who co-piloted the JJR machine when Jason was injured, made up row one. Jason shared row ten with Kasey Kahne Racing’s (KKR) second driver Brad Sweet. Pittman would take command of the money spot at the front of the field when the green flag waved. With three laps in the caution flag slowed the field as Jason spun his #41 mount in the turn. He tagged the rear of the field and readied himself to get back to work aboard the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/MSD Performance #41 Maxim. Pittman controlled the top spot for the first 30 laps before series leader Donny Schatz ducked underneath him to take the lead and the win. Jason salvaged a 22nd place finish after he and the team were determine and worked hard to earn their way into the feature field.