HARD CHARGE IN THE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN COMES UP A BIT SHORT IN THE GETTYSBURG CLASH FOR VEAL AND THE JJR TEAM AT LINCOLN SPEEDWAY

ABBOTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA (May 13, 2015) – The last time Jason Johnson raced at Lincoln Speedway was back in 2005 when he was piloting the J&S Fabrication #22. Still sidelined by injury, the Cajun Sensation was back in the pit area leading his own JJR team this time with Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia wheelman Jamie Veal in the cockpit of the Jonestown KOA/Weld Racing #41.

All hands were on deck as the JJR team rolled the equipment out of the trailer. The Pennsylvania fans wandered by and greeted their old friend and reconnected with their Cajun hero. With 47 cars in the pit area, 30 of which were representing the Pennsylvania Posse, the Outlaws and the JJR team were hard at work preparing their speed machines for the evening of action around the 3/8th mile oval.

This was Jamie’s first visit to the Keystone State and he was excited to race in front of the sprint car frenzied fans in this region of the world. The first task was time trials. The pill for the draw to align the time trial order was not very good, which meant Veal was 44th in line for takeoff aboard the Priority Aviation Services, LLC/Waco Metal Maxim. The track was quick out of the gate, but proved to be much slower the longer time trials went on. By the time Veal rolled out, it was getting tough to get into the top twenty five even for some of the best in the business. Jamie’s first lap was in the 13.7 range after riding high just over the small cushion that had built up by that point. But, the Aussie wheelman ran a much better second lap that was timed at 13.502 seconds, which was good for 31st overall.

With four heat races on tap next, the Warrnambool warrior climbed into the ButlerBuilt Professional Seat System and rolled around the banking into his eighth place starting spot. He had some work to do and when the engines came to life coming off turn four, he was forced to hit the brakes as some of the starters in front of him looked like they were driving with blindfolds on. Veal lost a few positions in the chaos and then started to work his way back up to speed. Brad Sweet took the heat race victory followed by Robbie Kendall, Ryan Smith, and Paul McMahan with Danny Dietrich securing the final transfer spot. Veal brought the Jonestown KOA entry home in the ninth position.

Jason, Philip, and Cole went to work immediately when the Hoosier Racing Tires came to rest behind the back door of the trailer. Some oil was leaking, so an engine change was in order. When the work was done, Veal pulled on his helmet and was ready to get back in the battle from the 12th starting position in the Last Chance Showdown aboard the Valvoline/Momentum Racing Suspensions #41 Maxim.

Only the top four would move on, so when pole sitter Tyler Ross brought the field up to speed for the 12 lap event, Jamie found his lines and started his forward march. He was following Donny Schatz and the two speed chauffeurs weaved their way forward through the field. A close call on the front stretch when Niki Young was exiting the track due to mechanical issues, forced Schatz to take evasive action as Veal pedaled down and charged through a small hole on the outside to steal three positions. He was on the gas and making the pass. He continued to power his way forward, but when race winner Lance Dewease took the checkers, Veal’s hard charge forward was thwarted with a 7th place finish.

After the race Jamie commented, “It was fun, but we just started a little too far back to get where we needed to be by the end of the race.”

From the owner’s perspective, Jason explained, “Unfortunately our night ended a little early after a 7th place run in the B-Main (Last Chance Showdown), but the JJR team made gains all night for Jamie, who I think did a nice job for his first time of this track.”