A BROKEN FRONT AXLE RELEGATES JASON JOHNSON, IN THE FISCHER BODY SHOP #41, TO A 20TH PLACE FINISH AT GRAYS HARBOR RACEWAY ON LABOR DAY

ELMA, WASHINGTON (September 7, 2015) – A beautiful day welcomed the race teams and fans to Grays Harbor Raceway as the skies were vivid blue with white puffy clouds and the temperatures in the 70s. Jason and the JJR team hauler were lined up in the pit area ready to put on a show for these faithful fans on this Labor Day to honor our military members past, present and future. There were 27 competitors ready to do battle around the racy Washington oval, each one looking for the win on this night.

Jason went out fairly late for his two time trial laps aboard the Fischer Body Shop/FK Rod Ends #41 Maxim Racing entry. The track was fast early as a number of guys broke the previous 12 year old track record, but the track had slowed slightly by the time the Louisiana gasser pushed out for his qualifying laps. The quicker of his two individual laps came in at 12.209 seconds, which was 17th quick overall when the engines silenced following the completion of time trials.

When the heat race lineups were posted on the board, the forty one would start from the outside of row three in the sixth starting spot in the second of three heat races. Jason climbed into the cockpit and rolled the Priority Aviation Services, LLC fighter jet into position. It was ‘go’ time as the flagman unfurled the green flag over the field. They roared down the front chute in front of the crowd. Jason took flight on the high side and moved forward. Front row starter, Brad Sweet, led the way with pole sitter, Jason Solwold, giving chase during the early stages of the race. But, the Ragin’ Cajun though was now in third and looking for more. Unfortunately, he ran out of laps and crossed the finish line in the third spot ahead of Logan Schuchart and Paul McMahan with Trey Starks locking down the sixth and final transfer position.

For the 30 lap A-Main, Jason would start from row eight in the 16th starting spot in the Dissolvalloy Frac Ball Revolution/K&N Filters #41 beside Travis Rilat’s #39c. Paul McMahan and Brad Sweet brought the field to the green from their front row starting spots. Sweet took the lead with McMahan stalking him lap after lap as they set a blistering pace around the rough surface. Jason was hanging on for the ride as he bounced through the holes in his Maxim. Just before the halfway point, the surface took a toll on his equipment as the front axle broke sending him veering to the right. They towed him to the work area as the JJR team tried to make repairs, but they ran out of time ending their night with a 20th place finish. Back out of the track, McMahan took the lead and started to put distance between him and the competition before encountering lapped traffic. Donny Schatz would chase him down and take the lead with two to go. Schatz would go on to collect his 200th World of Outlaw (WoO) victory, joining Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell as the only drivers on that prestigious list of WoO winners. After the race, Jason explained, “We had a good car but this just was not our night.” He continued, “We will get back at it on Wednesday night at Cottage Grove.” He ended by stating, “I want to congratulate Donny Schatz on his amazing accomplishment – 200 World of Outlaw wins – that’s impressive! I enjoy racing with him every night. He is tough, but works hard for his success!”