BROKEN U-JOINT WHILE LEADING WITH FOUR TO GO ON THE PRELIM NIGHT OF THE 41ST ANNUAL WINTER NATIONALS SIDELINES JOHNSON’S WINNING EFFORT AT DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY

MESQUITE, TEXAS (October 17, 2014) – The JJR and Stenhouse Jr. Racing team was finally back on the track after a rare two consecutive weekends off from racing action. Devil’s Bowl Speedway has always been one of Jason’s favorite places to run. He has had quite a bit of success at the famous half mile in the past and was looking forward to putting the Priority Aviation Services, LLC Maxim in victory lane. With 47 cars in the pit area, it would be elbows up the entire night in order to speed around this unique half mile oval.

After the opening ceremonies were concluded and the heat race lineups were set, it was “go fast” time in Mesquite, Texas. The grandstands were full and the racers were eager to put on a great show ASCS style for all of the fans. Jason would start third in the sixth heat race in the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Waco Metal #41. Front row starters Jon Agan and Stevie Smith would bring the field up to speed but the yellow flag quickly replaced the green and the field was re-aligned. On the restart, Agan led the field into turn one but the Ragin’ Cajun was right behind in the second spot. The two front runners were setting a fast pace on the Devil’s Bowl banking. Agan was leading comfortably when he encountered mechanical woes putting Jason in the top spot in The Shop Diesel Service/Lee Components speedster. He would lead the remaining distance to take the heat race win and lock himself into the evening’s redraw.

Lady luck certainly seemed to be on his side when he pulled the one pill to earn the pole position starting spot in the preliminary feature event in the 41st Annual Winter Nationals. When the three-wide parade lap and salute to the fans was completed, Jason flipped down the shield of his Arai Helmet and flexed his fingers inside his Oakley racing gloves one last time before the green flag flew to commence the high speed affair. When the lights turned green around the track, Jason took off in the Priority Aviation Services, LLC Maxim. He was on the moving and setting a rapid pace as he sailed around the speedway at top speed. Tony Bruce, Jr. made an early pass to position himself in the runner-up spot and kept the pressure on the Cajun Sensation during the early and middle stages of the event. After surviving a number of restarts, Jason made his way into lapped traffic and started to put a lot of space between himself and Bruce, Jr. in the runner-up spot. That’s when lady luck reared her nasty head as Jason slowed quickly after leading the first 21 laps, pulling his mount to the inside of turn one. The yellow was quickly replaced by the red as the Louisiana native was in a lot of pain when the safety crews arrived to assist. The u-joint in the driveline had exploded sending shrapnel towards his ankles and legs. After the paramedics tended to him they determined there were no broken bones, but the driver certainly was experiencing quite a bit of pain and soreness in his right ankle. The unfortunate turn of events resulted in a very disappointing 18th place finish as Tony Bruce, Jr. took the preliminary night win.

After the race, Jason credited his ButlerBuilt Torque Ball Shield for protecting him from a more serious injury. ButlerBuilt’s protective shield is constructed using multiple layers of Kevlar to protect the driver’s feet and legs from injury during catastrophic driveline failure. Make sure you use ButlerBuilt products for all your safety needs. They can be reached at www.butlerbuilt.net or by calling 800-621-SEAT (7328).