PICKING UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF, THE RAGIN’ CAJUN CHARGES BACK TO A 9TH PLACE FINISH IN THE RAIN INTERRUPTED CLASH AT THE CREEK IN A QUICK SHOW TO FINISH OFF THE RACE AT DEER CREEK

SPRING VALLEY, MINNESOTA (July 6, 2017) – On their way to New Richmond, Wisconsin for two races at Cedar Lake Speedway in the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown over the weekend, Jason and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competitors made a quick stop back at Deer Creek Speedway to finish off the Clash at the Creek event that was halted by rain after three laps of the scheduled 40-lap feature. He would restart from the sixth position aboard the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Racediecast.com #41 Maxim.

Last Thursday, on June 26th, there were 30 cars at Deer Creek Speedway ready for action and qualifying at the 3/8 mile oval. Jason rolled off 12th for his two time trial laps and made both of them good ones according to the stopwatch. He used his Kistler Engines/Engler Machine & Tool power to accelerate under the green flag and drive him forward. He was flying in the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/Weld Racing #41 and his first lap was a quick one at 12.347 seconds. He was relentless on the right pedal and ran another quick lap that was very consistent, but just a tick slower, at 12.357 seconds. His quicker first lap was good enough for 5th quick overall on the night.

When the heat race lineups were sorted out and posted at the World of Outlaws command center Jason and the JJR Marshall Racing #41 entry would start on the outside of the front row beside Kerry Madsen’s #2M. The remainder of the starting lineup would include Paul McMahan and Donny Schatz in row two with Danny Lasoski, Scott Bogucki, Brent Marks, Tim Kaeding, Logan Schuchart and Jason Tostenson rounding out the starting order. When the flagman waved the green flag it was Madsen bolting into the lead with the Ragin’ Cajun in hot pursuit in the runner-up position driving the Dissolvalloy Downhole Revolution/Wilwood Disc Brakes #41 Maxim. They were scooting around Deer Creek and the Louisiana hot shoe was poised to pounce. On lap 8 it was time to move and he used the outside groove to make the pass for the lead over Madsen. He would go on to win his 16th heat race of the year over Madsen, McMahan, Schatz and Lasoski with Scott Bogucki riding home in the final transfer position to advance to the A-Main.

Positioning his Maxim Racing entry into the Craftsman Club Dash for the 30th time this season, Jason and the team were set to start on the outside front row in the pre-inversion starting grid. When the “zero” pill was pulled, Jason was locked into the second starting spot beside pole sitter David Gravel. Brad Sweet would start third with Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen and Sheldon Haudenschild completing the starting grid. When the green lights illuminated Gravel jumped into the lead over Johnson, Pittman and Sweet. With three laps in the red lights came on as Pittman got into the wall and tumbled in turn one. When racing resumed, Jason restarted from the second position and Sweet was able to make the pass for the runner-up position behind Gravel. Gravel would drive his CJB #5 to the Dash victory over Sweet, Johnson, Madsen and Haudenschild with Pittman being scored in the sixth position.

With weather moving in quickly the promoters pushed the show along and the 24 starters were called to the track quickly. Deciding to forego the tradition four-wide salute to the fans it was time to go racing at Deer Creek Speedway in the Clash at the Creek event. The green flag waved with Gravel vaulting into the lead as Jason got mired in some chaos early on shuffling him back to the seventh position. He got back up on the wheel of the Fischer Body Shop/CCC #41 and drove back into the sixth position when the red flag was displayed for Brian Brown who flipped his #21 hard in turn two which also collected Logan Schuchart. Under the red, the skies opened up and saturated the track beyond recover. The decision was made to postpone the remainder of the feature event until Thursday, July 6th as the precipitation continued.

When the teams returned to Deer Creek Speedway two days after Independence Day, it was a beautiful day for racing. Jason would restart sixth in the Waco Metal/Jonestown KOA #41 Maxim. When the field took the green Brad Sweet would lead lap 4 before Gravel reclaimed it on lap 5. Jason lost a few positions and was running in the ninth spot when he brought the caution out on lap 9 with mechanical issues along the wall in turns 3 and 4. He headed to the work area and the JJR Marshall Racing team quickly went to work in an attempt to get their driver back on the track. The caution lights when out, but fortunately they re-illuminated when Brad Sweet slowed for a flat rear tire. The additional time allowed repairs on the forty-one to be completed so he could rejoin the field at the back of the pack. With Gravel still leading, the green flag was re-displayed and the field was back at full speed. Jason was maneuvering his way forward before contact with Jason Sides resulted in the two cars getting stuck together after Brent Marks spun in front of the two drivers. After getting untangled, they rejoined the field with the Ragin’ Cajun charging from the back once again. At the front of the pack, Kraig Kinser tracked down and passed race leader David Gravel for the top spot. With the laps winding down Jason stayed up on his MPI steering wheel and charged home with a ninth place finish. It was his sixth consecutive top ten run for the #41 team. Kraig Kinser won his first race of the season over Donny Schatz, Shane Stewart and Sheldon Haudenschild with Brad Sweet rounding out the top five.