BAD LUCK CONTINUES AT WILLIAMS GROVE AS DRIVELINE ISSUES ON NIGHT TWO OF THE CHAMPION RACING OIL SUMMER NATIONALS FORCE THE CAJUN SENSATION PIT SIDE

MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA (July 23, 2016) – It was hot again, very hot in fact, in Central Pennsylvania as the mercury in the thermometer pushed up into the triple digits with 100 degrees plus temperatures throughout the day. But that did not keep the avid racing fans from coming out to see Jason and the World of Outlaw stars at Williams Grove for the second night of the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals and the Morgan Cup.

There were 38 racing teams in the pit area, so there would be two flights of qualifying again. Jason drew a six pill during the pill draw, which allowed him to go out second for his two high speed laps aboard the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/Wilwood #41 Maxim. He did not disappoint as he went out there and ripped off a fast lap in 17.778 seconds. He stayed on the throttle the second time around and came in with a consistent, but slightly slower, second lap at 17.791 seconds. He would end up fifth quick in flight A and tenth quick overall on the night. Another good qualifying effort as he continues to show great speed with his Kistler Engines power plants.

When all the times were final and the officials put together the heat race lineups, Jason would be in the first and fastest heat race in the Pro Powder Coating/ISC Racers Tape #41. Friday night’s winner, Daryn Pittman, and David Gravel were in row as Jason shared row two with Pennsylvania driver Alan Krimes. Doug Esh and Lucas Wolfe made up an all PA Posse row three. When the pace laps ended and the green flag unfurled, Pittman bolted into the lead with Gravel, Krimes, Johnson and Wolfe giving chase. The track was still moist and the professional speed chauffeurs were using their skills to maintain their position in the running order. With the top five securing positions in the coveted feature event, Pittman took the win ahead of Gravel with Krimes, Jason and Wolfe locking up the remaining transfer spots.

With all of the qualifying completed, and the field set for the Summer Nationals and Morgan Cup finale, it was that time – time to go racing!! Jason would line up from the 13th starting position aboard the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/KSE Racing Products #41. He was ready to go on a track surface that became increasingly trickier throughout the night but was still racy with two distinct lanes. Daryn Pittman and Joey Saldana were on the front row for the start of the 30-lap feature, with Saldana jumping into the early lead. Jason was using the low line to build speed and was mired in a thick pack of competitors racing for positions. The first caution of the night flew on lap 11 for Doug Esh as he spun in turn one. Jason was running in the 15th position, but was building speed as the race progressed. When racing resumed and he was able to advance a few spots as he was fast but his luck, and unfortunately it was bad luck, would change. He slowed through turns one and two and coasted down the back straightaway. He pulled into his pit stall behind his trailer and his night was over. After assessing the cause of their misfortune, they revealed that they had driveline issues which resulted in them being scored with a disappointing 23rd place finish on the night. As much as we don’t like it, that is part of the sport of racing. Back on the track, Saldana surrendered the lead on lap 20 to Lance Dewease who would go on to take the $25,000 win ahead of Pittman, Stevie Smith and David Gravel with Donny Schatz rounding out the top five. Jason and the JJR #41 team will keep digging and eventually turn the back luck into good fortunes for them, their fans and their dedicated and supportive sponsorship partners.