AN EARLY SEASON TOP FIVE RUN FOR THE RAGIN’ CAJUN ON NIGHT TWO AT THE WINTER HEAT SHOWDOWN AT COCOPAH SPEEDWAY

SOMERTON, ARIZONA (January 2, 2016) – After shaking off the dust from the first night of action in 2016, Jason and the JJR team wanted to improve on their results on the second of five nights in the Winter Heat Showdown at Cocopah Speedway. They rolled the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Fischer Body Shop Maxim out of the transporter and were ready to get after it again around the 3/8th mile oval in the desert.

The first event on this night for the Ragin’ Cajun was the third heat race. With names like Steve Kinser, Dale Blaney, Bud Kaeding and Terry McCarl in the field, there was no time to lollygag around. It was hammer down time. Jason had his orange, black and yellow Maxim on the outside of row two to start the race. When the green flag waved, he went to the high side to build up momentum and make some passes before the race was slowed with a caution before a lap was completed. On the restart, he did the same thing and had his Priority Aviation Services #41 Maxim rolling at speed. He was chasing DJ Netto for the top spot, but ran out of laps coming home in the runner-up spot just ahead of Blaney, Jacob Allen, Kinser and McCarl.

Next up was the ten lap qualifier. Jason and the #41 entry would be in the last qualifier race of the night. He would start from the outside of row three aboard the Dissolvalloy/Jonestown KOA machine. When the green flag dropped, he got his elbows up and started his run towards the front of the pack. Moving smoothly through the turns and hustling down the straightaways allowed him to maintain his high rate of speed around the competitors and into the third position. When the checkered flag waved over qualifier race winner Terry McCarl, Tanner Thorson and Jason chased him across the start/finish line to finish second and third respectively.

Accumulating the fourth highest passing point total on the night locked the Ragin’ Cajun and the MVT/Fischer Body Shop #41 Maxim into the 30 lap A-Main event. Greg Hodnett and Kyle Larson made up row one with DJ Netto and Jason in row two. When the field went four abreast during the parade lap, these four drivers paced the field around Cocopah Speedway in a salute to the fans. When they realigned in their two-by-two formation, the green flag was unfurled and the sweet sound of racing engines filled the air as they came to life. Jason and Netto were in a fierce battle racing for position with Dale Blaney. Hodnett would lead early before spinning in turn two surrendering the lead to Larson. When racing resumed, Larson was showing the way as the battle throughout the top five raged on. Shane Stewart entered the picture, as well, as Danny Lasoski. There was a big cushion that formed around Cocopah Speedway which made for some great racing. Larson would go on to take the victory ahead of Shane Stewart, Danny Lasoski, and Dale Blaney with Jason aboard the Priority Aviation Services #41 Maxim bringing home his first top five of the early 2016 season. A great run for the forty one at Cocopah Speedway!