KEEPING PACE: CARSON MACEDO RACES HARD AND WHEELS THE MESILLA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION (MVT) #41 MAXIM TO A TOP FIVE FINISH IN THE 6TH ANNUAL JASON JOHNSON CLASSIC AT ARROWHEAD SPEEDWAY

COLCORD, OKLAHOMA (April 6, 2024) – After starting the weekend at US 36 Raceway on Friday night in Osborn, Missouri, where Carson Macedo and the team collected a seventh place finish, the JJR #41 team trucked Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) style to the Sooner State for the running of the 6th Annual Jason Johnson Classic. The 33 teams arrived at Arrowhead Speedway (@ArrowheadSpeed on X platform) to race at this magnificent speed arena that is home to a fast and racy 1/3-mile, semi-banked race track. It was perfectly groomed for the evening events but the winds were gusting. The pit area was bustling with activity as fans made their way into the facility to enjoy some of the pre-race festivities. This is a special race on the schedule that recognizes one of their own – Jason Johnson. The drivers and teams that have won the previous Jason Johnson Classic events have been: (1) 2019: David Gravel – JJR #41; (2) 2020: James McFadden – KKR #9; (3) 2021: Brad Sweet – KKR #49; (4) 2022: Jacob Allen – Shark Racing #1a; and, (5) 2023: Rico Abreu – RAR #24. Who would win the trophy in 2024?

This race honors Jason Johnson – a hero to so many inside and outside the sprint car world. This driven racer was born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana. He was a part of the proud Johnson family and he was a Johnson through and through. Anyone who knows any member of the Johnson family knows how passionate and committed they are about racing (specifically sprint car racing and BMX), competition of any kind, having fun together and with friends, and most of all enjoying a deep connection with each other as a family. Jason was no different as he certainly did not fall far from the Johnson tree. They are all just ‘good people’ from the inside out.

Jason never met a stranger he didn’t want to know . . . at least for long. He would stop to help almost anyone out without even being asked. When he graduated from high school, Jason boarded a train bound for Pennsylvania and wound up at Williams Grove Speedway. From there his journey on the road began by helping Steve Beitler while listening to Alabama on repeat up and down the road with the ultimate future destination unknown – just the next opportunity to race. The Ragin’ Cajun or Cajun Sensation, as Jason was affectionately nicknamed, had a goal to be a champion. His life’s path eventually took him back to Louisiana to race the family owned #57 before weaving through almost every state with stops in Indiana to work as a crew member for Steve Kinser and then on to Texas where he piloted Lanny Row’s Shop Motorsports #41 on the ASCA National Regional and National Tours.

In 2010, Jason and his wife Bobbi started their own team – Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) – with the ultimate goal of building a team that eventually could compete on the World of Outlaws (WoO) tour. After winning their fifth American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour title, tied to support from their long-time sponsorship partners, Jason’s dream became a reality in 2015. The kid from Louisiana joined the stars of the sport racing with the World of Outlaws full-time. Dream achieved . . . or at least started.

Reflecting back that was a really big moment, but the cherry on top occurred when he won the 2016 Knoxville Nationals. It was an incredible race as he dueled with sprint car racing icon, Donny Schatz, ultimately beating him to the finish line. Donny was someone Jason respected tremendously. He also was Jaxx Johnson’s (Jason’s son) favorite sprint car driver. That race is still one of the most incredible sprint car races in the history of the sport. Jason continued to pursue his dream of a World of Outlaws championship, which all ended abruptly in an unfortunate racing accident in 2018.

But Jason’s dream and rich legacy continues on today. The Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) team, which is now owned and led by his cousin Philip Dietz and his wife Brooke, continue to chase race wins with their eyes always focused on one day achieving the World of Outlaws championship with Carson Macedo behind the wheel of the JJR #41.

They were all ready to go at Arrowhead Speedway for the 6th Annual Jason Johnson Classic.  It was time to go racing!

To open the show, as is usual and customary after hot laps in the World of Outlaws format, each driver would get to put on a solo performance at speed in Sea Foam Qualifying. Each driver is afforded two time trial laps to display their speed and horsepower racing against the clock. The time trial lineup was posted as the teams scurried around prepping their entries with their qualifying setup. Carson Macedo, aboard the Tarlton and Son/Durst Inc./CASM Safety Products #41 Maxim, would be the 14th speed chauffeur to take his shot. He climbed into his office and buckled into his Crow Enterprizes safety belts before rolling into the staging area to wait for his turn. When the official waved him out on the track he unleashed the horses from his Kistler Engines power under the Indy Performance Composites (IPC) carbon fiber hood. Macedo raced towards the flagstand to commence his first lap. The talented Lemoore, California racer was doing what he loves at high speed. When he completed his first lap around the oval he did so in 11.154 seconds. He continued to carry his speed and momentum into the first set of turns on his second lap hoping to exit down the backstretch faster than he did the first time. When he looked up exiting turn four he saw the white and black checkered cloth waving overhead and crossed under it in 11.009 seconds. The better of his two attempts ended the night fourth quick overall. David Gravel in the Huset’s Speedway #2 proved to be the fastest driver of the night in qualifying, setting a New Track Record (NTR), circling Arrowhead Speedway in 10.902 seconds to earn the Simpson Quick Time Award.

With 33 cars on hand in the pit area there would be four 8-lap heat races on the docket with only five transfer positions to the feature up for grabs. The heat races winners and runner-up finishers would earn the added bonus of racing for their starting position in the Toyota Dash. Carson would line the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Sander Engineering/AutoMeter #41 Maxim up on the inside of the front row sharing it with Brian Brown. Kerry Madsen and Tyler Courtney pulled in behind them in row two with Kraig Kinser, Danny Sams III, Jace Park, and Howard Moore completing the starting grid.

The field was set as the yellow lights around the speedway went off. When the front row reached the chalk stripe in turn four it was pedal down as the field of sprint cars roared down the front straightaway. Brian Brown ripped out of the top lane when the green flag waved to take command of the lead. Carson Macedo was second with Tyler Courtney right behind. Brian Brown, wheeling the Casey’s General Stores #21, wasted no time cutting through the clean air to build a big lead. Carson still had him in his sights, but he was contending with a hard-charging Tyler Courtney trying to maintain the runner-up position. Brian Brown would not be denied as he raced to the win with Carson brining the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home in second. Tyler Courtney, Kerry Madsen, and Kraig Kinser locked down the final three transfer positions out of the final heat race.

Over on the front straightaway the 8 drivers that earned a spot in the 6-lap Toyota Dash were waiting to put their hand into the oversized NOS Energy Drink can to draw a numbered pill to determine where they would start. Brian Brown pulled the one pill to start from the pole. He would be flanked on the front row by Giovanni Scelzi in the KCP #18. Sheldon Haudenschild and Logan Schuchart were in row two. Carson Macedo and David Gravel followed in row three with Buddy Kofoid and Rico Abreu in the last row. The yellow lights dimmed and the green flag was out as Scelzi raced around the top to lead Brown, Haudenschild and Schuchart on the first lap. Sheldon Haudenschild was on the move as he took over the second spot from Brian Brown as Logan Schuchart also made his way by. Carson Macedo tried trucking by the FVP #21 too in his Border International/Schoenfeld Headers/Sander Engineering #41. He made the pass, but Brown took the spot right back in turn one. Giovanni Scelzi raced to the dash victory ahead of Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart and Brian Brown with Carson Macedo bringing the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home in fifth. David Gravel raced home in sixth with Buddy Kofoid and Rico Abreu completing the finishing order.

The horn sounded to summon the 24 starters who qualified for the feature to the track. They would line up in 12 rows, two abreast for the start of the $20,000-to-win, 30-lap 6th Annual Jason Johnson Classic presented by FK Rod Ends event in their debut at this new facility on the schedule. The feature was reduced from the originally scheduled 41 laps to 30 laps due to the wind and track conditions.

Carson Macedo was waiting patiently in the cockpit of his Maxim Racing machine as he tapped his hand on his JOES Racing Products Matador Steering Wheel. The Lemoore, California native would get the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Wilwood Racing/FK Shocks #41 Maxim started from the inside of row three form the fifth starting spot. He would share row three with David Gravel, winner of the inaugural Jason Johnson Classic at Lake Ozark Speedway. Every one of these drivers wanted to win this race to honor one of their fellow competitors as there was a big check and another really cool, custom hand-crafted trophy by Tony Baustert of T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication in the shape of the state of Oklahoma with the Jason Johnson Classic logo that lit up on a wood base with FK Rod End handles.

After the four-wide salute to the fans where Craig Johnson, Jason’s father, led the field in Jason’s 2016 Knoxville Nationals winning car, it was time to race Cajun style at Arrowhead Speedway. The field of sprint car talent at the Colcord, Oklahoma speed plant was led to the green flag by Giovanni Scelzi and Sheldon Haudenschild as the show was on full tilt. Scelzi led the opening lap with Haudenschild relentlessly giving chase. Meanwhile, Carson was wheeling the forty-one from just outside the top five in the early laps of the race. He was battling tooth and nail with David Gravel and Logan Schuchart for position.

On lap 4, Sheldon Haudenschild would drive his NOS Energy Drink #17 by Scelzi to gain the lead, but the next time by Scelzi took the top spot back just before the first yellow flag of the race was thrown. Garet Williamson, driving the Fischer Motorsports #23, came off turn four and caught the wall leaving James McFadden nowhere to go. McFadden would continue, but Williamson’s night was over.

With 25 laps to go, using the single file formation for the restart due to track conditions, the drivers were back on the gas as the raced under the waving green flag. Scelzi was still leading Haudenschild as Carson wheeled the forty-one from the seventh spot in the running order. Sheldon Haudenschild was right there and seized the opportunity to pass Scelzi for the lead on lap 17. The racing for position was extremely tight at the front of the pack and Carson was right in the mix.

On lap 20, Jacob Allen was on the move in the Shark Racing #1a. He was in a three way battle for the second spot with David Gravel and Giovanni Scelzi. When they came off turn four Scelzi split the middle and made contact with Allen on his outside resulting in a broken front end for Allen who came to a stop in turn one.

With 10 laps to go, the finish line was just over the horizon for the leaders. Sheldon Haudenschild jumped on the accelerator and blasted into the lead again as David Gravel was now in second trying to keep pace and hunt him down. Giovanni Scelzi was third with Logan Schuchart and Carson Macedo right behind in the top five. The track began to take on a lot of rubber and there was noticeable tire wear on all of the cars.

Sheldon Haudenschild was carrying his speed at the front of the pack, but Gravel was right behind and closing fast with 2 laps to go. David Gravel looked to the outside but there just wasn’t enough grip available to carry him by Haudenschild. Sheldon Haudenschild would not be denied as he drove the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17 to the win to become the sixth different winner of the Jason Johnson Classic in six events. Giovanni Scelzi came home third followed by Logan Schuchart, with Carson Macedo bringing the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home fifth. A great night of racing and another good run for the forty-one!

Congratulations to Sheldon Haudenschild and the entire Stenhouse Jr./Marshall #17 race team on your victory at the Jason Johnson Classic!

Flying High at Arrowhead Speedway to Capture a Fifth Place Finish in the Sooner State! Photo Credit: Trent Gower Photography

JJR’s Valued Sponsorship Partners: Albaugh, LLC; Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT); Border International; Scott Boyd Family; Saich Family; Tarlton and Son Inc.; Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions; Durst Inc.; High Performance Lubricants, LLC; Kistler Racing Engines; Maxim Racing; Sander Engineering; Bandy & Associates Accountancy Corporation; Boltz Family; Pro Powder Coating (PPC); RaceDiecast.com; Team Jack Foundation; Mark Burch Motorsports; T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication; Xtreme Body and Paint; All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads; AutoMeter; Bell Helmets; Ben Cook Race Car Products; BlackBeard LTD; BMRS (Brown & Miller Racing Solutions); BR Motorsports; Buckwalter Trucking; CASM Safety Products; C&R Racing; ChalkStix; Crow Enterprizes; CS Productions; Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne (FK Shocks); Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Fuel Safe Racing Cells; Greber Racing Components; Hoosier Racing Tire; Indy Performance Composites (IPC); ISC Racers Tape; Jansen Transportation; K1 Race Gear; KSE Racing Products; LogoDaddy; Motor State Distributing; Mr. Jim’s Racing; Premium Coach Group; Saldana Racing Products; Sam I Am; Schoenfeld Headers; Smith TI; Vortex Racing Products; Walker Performance Filtration; Wilwood Racing; and Winters Performance Products.

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

Check out ShopJJR.com to buy all your new Carson Macedo and JJR gear and merchandise.