A TOP FIFTEEN IN THE CIRCLE K/NOS ENERGY DRINK OUTLAW SHOWDOWN AT THE DIRT TRACK AT CHARLOTTE TO KICK OFF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND FOR JASON AND THE JJR #41 TEAM

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA (May 27, 2016) – After competing at New Egypt Speedway on Tuesday night, Jason and the JJR team headed back to their Pennsylvania base camp, Kyle and Tammy Boltz’s Jonestown KOA, to service the car and prepare for the Memorial Day weekend of racing action. On Thursday, the team headed south to the North Carolina to race Friday night in the Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. There were 25 cars in the pit area ready to take on the half-mile oval in front of an absolutely packed grandstands full of eager race fans.

For time trails, Jason climbed into his Priority Aviation Services, LLC/Kenny’s Components #41 Maxim and pushed off. He got his Kistler Engines power plant up to speed and turned in a very good first lap at 14.330 seconds. He kept the forty one rolling at speed with a slightly slower lap on lap two at 14.835 seconds. The quicker of his two circuits was 11th quick overall on the night.

When the qualifying lineups were posted, the Eunice, Louisiana born racer would start fourth in heat two. Joey Saldana and Jacob Allen were on row one with Jason sharing row two with Shark Racing’s Logan Schuchart. When the green flag waved the field got up to speed behind Saldana. The speeds were fast, but passing was at a premium. Fifth starting Daryn Pittman snuck by Jason on the bottom at the start of the race relegating the Cajun Sensation back to the fifth position. As the laps were turned, Saldana continue to lead as Jason started pressing Jacob Allen for the fourth position. Allen experienced a flat right rear tire bringing out the yellow and headed pit side to the work area. With no one to be found from Shark Racing to change the tire, the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) and Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR) teams went into action to get the tire changed and get the #1a back out on the track. From competitors on the track to friends in the pit area. When racing resumed in the 8-lap event, Jason maintained the fourth position as he crossed the finish line behind Saldana, Pittman, and Schuchart with Randy Hannagan and Allen securing the fifth and sixth transfer positions.

For the 30-lap feature, Jason would start from the eleventh starting position in the Waco Metal/Dissolvalloy Downhole Revolution Maxim Racing entry. Front row starter, Cole Duncan would take the lead when the fireworks dimmed and the green lights illuminated over pole sitter Daryn Pittman. Jason was on the low side from his row six starting spot and was mired in a battle position from the get go. Shane Stewart would pass Duncan at the front of the pack on lap five as the battle for racing room and positions continued at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. A few cautions interrupted the high speed action around the beautifully prepared oval. With multiple racing lanes it was up to the racers to figure out where their cars worked best. There were cars fast on the bottom while others were making the middle and the top of the track work. On the restart, Jason was in the bottom lane and lost a few positions in his Fischer Body Shop/Valvoline #41. Greg Wilson was charging forward and on the last lap he made the pass for the lead on Shane Stewart to take his first WoO victory of the 2016 season as Stewart, Duncan, Pittman and Donny Schatz followed him across the line. Jason brought the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim home in the 15th position, which was his 28 top fifteen finish in 2016 – a 75.68 Top 15 success rate.