KICKING THE RACING OFF IN NASHVILLE: GRAVEL IS PATIENT IN HIS APPROACH AS HE BRINGS HOME A 12TH PLACE FINISH ON THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE INAUGURAL MUSIC CITY OUTLAW NATIONALS AT FAIRGROUNDS SPEEDWAY

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (May 31, 2019) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series was excited to introduce their stars in Music City in the inaugural two-day Music City Outlaw Nationals. For the first time since 1957 the asphalt speedway was covered in dirt . . . and lots of it. They reportedly brought in an estimated 7 million tons of dirt from 40 miles north of the speedway to cover the inside quarter mile track to host this event. It was a new track for every team and driver in the pit area. There were 40 teams entered and one of those teams was the JJR #41 team with their driver David Gravel and the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/J.R.C. Transportation #41 Maxim.

Since the field was so large, they would time trial in two separate groups per the established rules and format. David Gravel would be the fourth car out on the track for his two laps for time. He had to wait before coming onto the track as Kody Kinser clipped the inside tractor tire in turn four and needed some assistance getting his car off of the surface. When the track was clear, Gravel brought the Weikert’s Livestock/Schoenfeld Headers #41 onto the track and began to build speed on the already tricky surface. He took the green and turned his best lap the first time around at 15.542 seconds. Using the high line for both laps, his second laps was slightly slower at 15.640 seconds with the quicker of his two laps ending up being fourth quick in Flight A and overall on the night as Sheldon Haudenschild was quick time of the night followed by Brad Sweet, Brent Marks and Gravel with James McFadden rounding out the top five in qualifying.

After a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem by national recording artist Taryn Papa stirred the crowd up, they were ready for some racing. David Gravel and the Jonestown KOA/High Performance Lubricants, LLC #41 Maxim would start on the outside of the front row with Brad Sweet owning the pole position. Carson Short would start third with Shane Stewart, Daryn Pittman, Chad Kemenah, Lynton Jeffrey, Danny Smith, Jim Stinson and Kody Kinser filling in the remainder of the starting grid. With the Honorary Flagman, John Oates from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo Hall and Oates, waving the green flag the ten cars stood on the accelerator. The track surface was very technical with the inside line being the fastest line. On the initial start, third starting Carson Short stuck to the rear nerf bar of pole sitter Sweet not leaving any room for Gravel to work his way down. Gravel and Short had a fierce battle for the coveted runner-up position for the first few laps before Gravel settled into third. There was very limited passing so when the checkered flag flew it was Sweet taking the win over Short, Gravel and Pittman with Stewart locking down the fifth and final transfer position from the second heat race.

With the 10:30 p.m. curfew looming, the officials were doing everything to keep the show moving along. The 24 starters were called to the speedway for the 30-lap feature event on the first night of the Music City Outlaw Nationals. As the seconds ticked away, the engines came to life. The narrow track did not prevent these talented drivers from acknowledging the fans with their famous four-wide salute. The green flag waved and Bill Balog drove into the lead with Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz close behind. David was gingerly maneuvering early on as he moved into the tenth spot in the Dissolvalloy Downhole Revolution/The Boyd Family #41 Maxim. Trying his hardest to race forward, Gravel moved his line a little attempting to make something happen which opened the door for Logan Schuchart and Derek Hagar to slip past on the bottom pushing him back two spots. Gravel tucked back into line on the bottom where he would stay in line the remainder of the race. Donny Schatz slide under Bill Balog for the lead on lap 23 and took the win over Sweet and Balog with Brent Marks coming home fourth and Sheldon Haudenschild rounding out the top five. David Gravel brought home a respectable 12th place finish at Fairgrounds Speedway on the first night of the Music City Outlaw Nationals. New day and new opportunity on Saturday for the finale at the fairgrounds!

We are proud to represent all of our dedicated and loyal supporters:

Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT); Saich Family; Jonestown KOA; Dissolvalloy Downhole Revolution; Weikert’s Livestock; J.R.C. Transportation, Inc.; Durst Inc.; Maxim Racing; The Boyd Family; Pro Powder Coating (PPC); Waco Metal; High Performance Lubricants, LLC; Team Jack Foundation; Mark Burch Motorsports; Tiger Towing; All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads, Inc.; All Pro Auto Reconditioning; AutoMeter; Bell Racing USA; Blackbeard; Brown & Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS); Buckwalter Trucking, LLC; C&R Racing; Chalk Stix Torsion Bars; Cody Monoco Racing; Crow Enterprizes, Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne FK Shocks; Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Fuel Safe Racing Cells; Greber Racing Components; Hoosier Racing Tire; ISC Racers Tape; Jansen Transportation; K&N Filters; Kaiden Kares; Kistler Racing Engines; KSE Racing Products; LogoDaddy Graphics; Max Papis Innovations (MPI); MSD Performance; Schoenfeld Headers; Shell Shock Paint; Simpson Race Products; T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication; Vortex Racing Products; Weld Wheels; Wilwood Racing; Winters Performance Products; and, www.racediecast.com.

To stay connected with Jason Johnson Racing (JJR), go to www.jasonjohnsonracing.com.

To learn more about David Gravel, and stay up to date with his success and journey, go to www.DavidGravel89.com.