2011 News
Johnson Earns All-Hammerdown! Team Honors in 2011
TUCSON, Arizona (December 26, 2011) – After completing a successful season racing across the country in ASCS National events and 410 sprint car action, Jason Johnson was named to the 2011 All-Hammerdown! team for the sixth time in his professional career. On the ASCS National tour, he won a series high six main events and took home the owner’s points title for the second consecutive year for Jason Johnson Racing (JJR). In addition, the hot shoe from Eunice, Louisiana also surpassed 200 career victories. Jason commented, “It is an honor to be named with the other drivers and to be recognized on the All-Hammerdown! team.” He continued, “Every race we go out and race hard for our sponsorship partners and fans, so this is a cool honor.”
A 2nd Place Run for Cajun in Western World Championships Nets a 2nd ASCS National Owner’s Points Title for JJR
TUCSON, Arizona (November 19, 2011) – Determination, persistence, and hard work. Three key ingredients for champions of any sport. And, a recipe Jason Johnson and the entire JJR team are pretty good at making inside the cockpit of their ASCS National race team. After starting the 44th Annual Western World Championships A-Main from the 10th starting spot in his Law Offices of Richards Strunks/Mesilla Valley Transportation #41 Maxim, Jason was on a rail in the non-stop, 30-lap feature. The Louisiana chauffuer passed Sammy Swindell on the last lap to cross the stripe in second place behind race winner Donny Schatz. But, the bigger prize for the JJR team was winning their second consecutive ASCS National Owner’s Points Championship. After missing a few early season events while racing in Australia, Jason and the JJR team realized the driver’s portion of the title may be unattainable. But, the strategy of starting the season with Kyle Larson and Jack Dover in the JJR #41 ButlerBuilt Professional Racing Seat combined with his series leading six (6) wins and a bunch of consistent finishes throughout the season when he returned, was enough to accumulate 3,431 owner’s points. This point total was enough to win the 2011 owner’s points title by 212 points over Paul Silva’s #57 team. For the JJR team, they are two for two in winning the owner’s points since forming the team at the beginning of the 2010 season. A big thank you to all of the JJR sponsorship partners and supporters! We are looking forward to continuing our performance throughout the 2012 season!
Johnson Avoids Drama to Finish in 5th Place on Qualifying Night at USA Raceway
TUCSON, Arizona (November 18, 2011) – On night two of qualifying for the 44th Annual Western World Championships at USA Raceway, Jason Johnson and the JJR team raced their way to a 5th place finish in a drama filled A-Main. After lining up from the seventh starting spot in the second heat race, Jason charged forward over the eight laps to bring the Kenny’s Components/ISC Racers Tape Maxim across the line in fourth place. Earning enough passing points to advance directly to the A-Main, the Louisiana native pulled his Don Ott Racing Engines powered Maxim on the outside of row five for the 25-lap feature event. When the green flag flew over the 3/8th mile speedway in southern Arizona, Johnson went to work using his KSE Racing Products to turn left on his way to the front. On lap seven, Jack Dover flipped bringing out the red flag. When the race resumed, race leader Joey Saldana was black flagged for various safety reasons. Brad Sweet inherited the lead and the Ragin’ Cajun stay focused as he continued to move forward. With a slick, racy surface, he continue his forward march and when the checkered flag flew he was scored with a 5th place finish. It was his 48th top five finish of the 2011 racing season. For some of the other competitors, the drama didn’t end with the checkered flag. Race winner Brad Sweet and Matt Covington had an altercation in victory lane adding to the excitement of the night. But, when all the dust settled on the night Jason and the JJR team not only locked their #41 into Saturday night’s 44th Annual Western World Championships finale where they will start from the 10th starting spot, they also locked up the 2011 ASCS National Owner’s Point Championship for the second year in a row!
Cajun Charges to a Sixth Place Finish in 30-Lap Las Cruces Finale
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (November 12, 2011) – It is always enjoyable when the ASCS National competitors visit the Southwest. On Saturday night at Southern New Mexico Speedway, 60 sprint cars filled the pits for the 30-lap finale. For Jason Johnson and the JJR team, it was an opportunity to improve upon their previous night’s efforts and to extend their current ASCS owner’s points lead. In the sixth heat event, Jason started from the outside of row three and charged to the front to collect the win in the 8-lap event. Winning the event advanced his Haynes/Mesilla Valley Transportation #41 Maxim onto the A-Main where he started from the fifth row. But, on this night, he would roll out on the speedway on his Hoosier Tires in the 10th starting spot. Front row starters Matt Covington and Johnny Herrera brought the field to the green and the Louisiana wheelman methodically, and patiently, went to work inside the cockpit from his 10th starting spot. With the winds picking up and the track taking rubber, passing was at a premium. But, the Cajun was doing his part to move forward in the field. After thirty laps around the oval, Matt Covington crossed the stripe first ahead of Brady Bacon and Steve Kinser with Johnson’s #41 cruising across the stripe with a well earned 6th place finish. Jason and the JJR team continue their ASCS season ending tour in the Southwest as they visit USA Raceway for the 44th Annual Western World Championships next Thursday through Saturday. Make sure to stop by and catch up with Jason, Bobbi, and the entire JJR team and sponsorship partners. JJR merchandise will be available at the track.
17th Place finish at Southern New Mexico ASCS Prelim Event
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (November 11, 2011) – Jason Johnson and the ASCS National tour headed to the state of New Mexico for preliminary night action at Southern New Mexico Speedway. Sixty one competitors arrived all trying to capture the checkered flag in the preliminary night action. Slated to start on the pole of the third heat race, the Cajun Sensation took advantage of his front row starting spot and collected the checkered flag with the win in his K&N Fliters/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim. After the redraw, he would start the A-Main event from the inside of row five in the ninth starting position. When the event got started the field settled into their positions in the running order because there was not a lot of passing early on. On lap seven, a caution flew for Brian Brown and when racing resumed the canary flag was re-displayed, this time for Jason as he spun in turn three. He would rejoin the rear of the field and race his way forward to a 17th place finish in the 25-lap preliminary night event. The JJR team will regroup and give the fans from the Southwest a show in Saturday night’s finale. Come out and catch up with Jason and the entire JJR team and sponsorship partners at the track!
Johnson Runs 12th in Short Track Nationals Finale at I-30 Speedway
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (October 29, 2011) – 100 competitive sprint cars vying for only 20 starting spots in the prestigious A-Main event. That is what makes the Short Track Nationals (STN) one of the toughest races to qualify for in the country. After locking into the first of two B-Mains on Saturday night, with his hard work and efforts on Friday night, Jason wheeled the Law Offices of Richard Strunks/Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim into the seventh and final qualifying position on the tight and narrow 1/4 mile racing surface to advance and lock into the STN A-Main. He would start from the 19th starting spot, hoping that the track would widened and create some more passing lanes throughout the 40 lap event. Jason used his KSE Racing Products to steer his Don Ott Racing Engines powered race mount forward. Passing is always tough, especially when you are racing against the best, but the Louisiana driver knows his craft. While the leaders got the field up to speed, the Cajun Sensation focused on passing one car at a time and using any opening they would give him to steal a position. When race winner Sammy Swindell crossed the finish line, Jason raced across the line with a 12th place finish. After the race, the winner of the 19th Annual Short Track Nationals commented, “I am glad we made the A-Main field at the Short Track National for the JJR team, our sponsorship partner, and our fans.” He continued, “This is a tough race. We always want to race up front for the win, but the JJR team worked hard all weekend and we will take our finish tonight and go on to the next race to compete.”
A 7th Place Run in Preliminary Action at Short Track Nationals
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (October 28, 2011) – The JJR team was at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas to compete in their preliminary night event for the 24th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals (STN) presented by Hoosier Tires. With some of Thursday’s preliminary night events getting rained out, the wet and muddy pit area was packed full with almost 100 teams preparing to race. The Law Offices of Richard Strunks #41 Maxim was ready to roll around the racy 1/4 mile clay oval. Using a different qualifying format, the competitors would race in a heat event, as well as, a qualifier event. Jason started second and finished second in his heat race. In the qualifier event, he started third and brought the FSR Radiators #41 home with a fourth place finish. Not earning enough passing points to advance directly to the A-Main, the Cajun was position on the outside of row one for the second 10-lap B-Main event. He took advantage of the front row starting spot and brought his mount home first to advance to the A-Main. Starting from the 16th starting spot for the 25-lap A-Main, the racing lanes had widened and Jason went to work using what ever open race surface was available to advance his position. When the last lap in the A-Main was completed, he had advance nine positions to bring the JJR Maxim home with a 7th place run. With only the top three finishers locking into Saturday night’s A-Main, Jason will start 9th in the first B-Main. The top seven finishers in that event will advance into the STN A-Main on Saturday and make up the inside starting spots in rows 4 to 10 in the finale. Come out and catch up with the JJR team!
Ragin’ Cajun Right in the Mix with 3rd Place Finish at 38th Annual Winter Nationals
MESQUITE, Texas (October 22, 2011) – Persistence and determination. Two key ingredients for success. The pilot of the Gleco Plating Inc./FK Rod Ends Maxim had both on Saturday night at Devil’s Bowl. After a challenging night on Friday night, the Louisiana native came back determined to make this night different. He showed that right away in the fifth heat race as he powered his way from his seventh starting spot into the third spot at the end of the eight lap event to generate enough passing points to lock in an A-Main starting spot. For the 38th Annual Winter Nationals finale, he pulled his Don Ott Racing Engines powered GT Bobcat sponsored machine on the outside of row four beside Shane Stewart. As front row starters Koby Barksdale and Sam Hafertepe, Jr. paced the field, the Ragin’ Cajun finalized his race strategy under his helmet. When the green flag waved he started executing that plan without hesitation. Hafertepe seized the early lead with Danny Lasoski chasing. But, by lap six, Jason had moved into the leader mix running in the third spot. He would keep the pressure on Lasoski for the second spot before a lap car got between and separated the two competitor’s position battle. Lasoski would take the lead from Hafertepe as the top three separated themselves from the field. A late caution for a spinning Barksdale closed the field, but no passing occurred at the front of the pack and Jason Johnson followed Lasoski and Hafertepe across the winner’s stripe. The third place finish was his 47th top five finish of the 2011 racing season. Jason and the JJR team will now head to Little Rock, Arkansas for the prestigious 24th Annual Short Track Nationals at I-30 Speedway.
An 11th Place Run on Night One at Prelim for 38th Annual Winter Nationals
MESQUITE, Texas (October 21, 2011) – Some nights you can work hard and not get the results you want. Friday night at Devil’s Bowl was kind of like that for the JJR team. With a very narrow track for the heat events, there wasn’t a lot of passing out on Devil’s Bowl’s famed 1/2 mile surface. Jason started in the third row of the first heat event and brought his mount home in sixth. Relegated to the B-Main, with the top two transferring in each of the three B-Main events, he started 8th and was able to gain two spots and finish in the sixth position. Electing to utilize a provisional, Jason and the JJR team tagged the end of the A-Main field in the 23rd starting spot in their Winters Performance Products #41 Maxim. When the green flag was displayed over the field for the 25 lap preliminary night race, he went back to work in the cockpit. The track was fast, but everyone on it was struggling with tight race cars. When the final lap was scored, Jason was one of only eleven cars advancing forward in the field. He advanced 12 positions and finished 11th overall in the 24 car field. The team will continue to work hard and hope it pays off in Saturday night’s 38th Annual Winter Nationals finale at Devil’s Bowl. Come out and catch up with the entire JJR team and their sponsorship partners.
Cajun Runs Second in LoneStar Sprint Nationals Finale
KILGORE, Texas (October 15, 2011) – After two competitive nights of qualifying action, Jason Johnson was ready to compete for the inaugural LoneStar Sprint Nationals winner’s trophy in the Performance Powder Works (PPW)/Wilwood Disc Brakes Maxim. Locked into the top eight redraw for starting position in the A-Main, he waited patiently as the remaining qualifiers tried to earn their way into the field. He selected the six pill, which would position him on the outside of row three for the 40-lap finale. Climbing into the cockpit, the Louisiana speed chauffeur was ready to do what he does best . . . race for the win. Polesitter, Gary Wright, took the early lead pacing the field around the 3/8th mile speedway. But, it was third row starters Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson making themselves known to the frontrunners at the midway point of the race. Stewart grabbed the lead from Gary Wright on the 22nd lap with Johnson following closely behind. A caution flag flew for Junior Jenkins bringing the field together for a restart. The Ragin’ Cajun’s eyes were focused on Stewart and when the race resumed he made his move. Up to speed quickly, he slid by Stewart to claim the lead, but Stewart would fight back by the 2-time ASCS Champion to reclaim the top spot. He would hold that spot as Johnson crossed the line closely behind in his Mesilla Valley Transportation #41. Daryn Pittman was scored third, Gary Wright fourth, and Jack Dover rounded out the top five. Next weekend the team will head to Devil’s Bowl to compete in the 38th Annual Winter Nationals.
Johnson Co-Stars in Quite a Show with Pittman at Lone Star Speedway
KILGORE, Texas (October 14, 2011) – With 47 cars in the pit area at Lone Star Speedway, a smooth racing surface, and an eager driver from Louisiana, the stage was set for a great night of racing on night two of the LoneStar Sprint Nationals. Set for the fourth heat event, he raced his Haynes Mechanical/ Schoenfeld Headers Maxim from his fifth starting spot into the runner up position over the course of ten laps. For the A-Main, he would again start on the inside of row three. Front row starters, Daryn Pittman and ASCS legend Gary Wright, got the group up to speed with Pittman taking the lead at the start. But, it was the Louisiana native from his fifth starting spot that was getting his Don Ott powered Maxim to the front quickly. The two great competitors race cleanly and swapped the top spot multiple times, putting on quite a show for the fans. As the last laps were completed, Pittman would end up in the top spot followed by Johnson in the JJR #41, Shane Stewart, Gary Wright, and Danny Wood rounding out the top five. I victory lane, Pittman explained, “A race that much fun to drive in had to be a fun race to watch, what a hell of a race.” A true compliment for two of the sports best. With his runner-up finish, the Ragin’ Cajun is locked into one of the top eight starting spots for Saturday night’s $12,000-to-win LoneStar Sprint Nationals. They will redraw for their starting assignments in the first four rows. Be sure to catch up with Jason, Bobbi, and the JJR team and sponsorship partners at the track.
Rough Going on Night One at LoneStar Sprint Nationals for Cajun Sensation
KILGORE, Texas (October 13, 2011) – Jason and the JJR #41 team were in the pits at Lone Star Speedway with 52 other competitors ready for night one of the LoneStar Sprint Nationals. Jason buckled into his ButlerBuilt Race Seat for heat race action. Starting from the sixth position, he charged all the way up to the second position by the time the checkered flag was displayed. After all of the qualifying heat action was completed, the Ragin Cajun was sixth overall in points. He would take to the track in his Crow Enterprizes/ BMRS Maxim and pull onto the outside of row three for the first night’s 30-lap qualifying feature. The track was really rough, so he pulled down extra hard on his Crow Enterprizes safety belts one last time to secure himself in the cockpit for his high speed adventure. When the green flag waved, he stepped on the go pedal and started his forward assault. Carefully navigating around the tricky surface at speed, he made his way through the field getting up as far as third place. But, with the car jumping around he unfortunately got together with the second place competitor resulting in a flat tire. When the event finished he was scored with a disappointing 14th place finish. After the race he commented, “I wish we would have had a better night in the JJR #41. We had a fast race car again. The track was just rough tonight and made it difficult for everyone.” Hoping for a better surface on the second night of qualifying, Jason and the team will be back at Lone Star Friday night to try and secure one of the lock in positions for Saturday night’s $12,000-to-win LoneStar Sprint Nationals. Stop by and catch up with Jason and the entire JJR team.
Johnson Flies to a Victory at Historic Thunderbird Speedway
MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma (October 8, 2011) – Jason Johnson continued his hot streak by winning the ASCS Sooner finale at Thunderbird Speedway, which is located at the historic Muskogee Fairgrounds. Built in the 1930’s, the Louisiana speedster put on a historic show of his own for the fans in his Law Offices of Richard Strunks Maxim. Starting on the pole in the third heat race, Johnson smashed the power pedal from his pole position starting spot and never looked back. He flew around the 1/2-mile oval and completed the eight lap event with plenty of space to spare between him and the next competitor. After drawing the three pill, Johnson was ready to roll in his Don Ott powered hot rod for the A-Main. Polesitter Dustin Morgan jumped out to the early lead and led lap one, but the Ragin’ Cajun was heavy on the fast pedal as he closed on the leader and took the lead on lap two. He held the lead and started to put distance between himself and the nearest competitor. Working quickly through lap traffic in his Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) race car, he was makin’ tracks and not lookin’ back. He would not relinquish the lead position and crossed the start/finish line well ahead of second place finisher Dustin Morgan, who was followed by Danny Wood, Mike Goodman, and fifth place finisher Danny Jennings. The win was Johnson’s 14th overall ASCS win in 2011 and his 13th consecutive top four finish. A hot streak to say the least. After the victory, Johnson explained, “We had a fast race car tonight. Richard Strunks and Royal Jones from MVT are great partners. I’m glad to represent them and all of our sponsorship partners every time we race.”
Third Place Finish in ASCS Warrior Action at Valley Speedway
GRAIN VALLEY, Missouri (October 7, 2011) – Back in the “Show Me” state to race, Jason and the JJR team were set to compete in ASCS Warrior region action at Valley Speedway. With 32 cars in the pit area, Jason pulled the ISC Racers Tape #41 Maxim out on to the speedway for the fourth heat race. Lining up on the inside of the last row for the eight lap event, the Cajun Sensation went to work passing cars early and often. When the eight laps were completed he crossed under the checkers with a third place finish right behind heat race winner Austin Alumbaugh and Wayne Johnson. For the 25 lap A-Main, Jason would start from the 3rd spot, on the inside of row two, behind front row starters Randy Martin and Danny Lasoski. When the green was displayed, the front row accelerated and the race was on for the winner’s trophy. Martin led early with Lasoski, Wayne Johnson, and Jason Johnson in pursuit. Wayne Johnson seized the lead after the fifth round with Lasoski and the Louisiana Johnson right behind. The top three maintained that running order until the last lap when Lasoski snuck by Wayne Johnson for the win. Jason settled for the third position, his twelfth consecutive top four finish with five victories during that stretch, in his Don Ott powered Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim with the track drying off and getting dusty, making passing more challenging.
Johnson Leads Charge at Battleground Speedway in ASCS Gulf South Competition
HIGHLANDS, Texas (October 1, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team were back in Texas this weekend to compete in the ASCS Gulf South finale at Battleground Speedway on Saturday night. After finishing 3rd in his qualifying action, Jason and the JJR crew were focused on starting a little win streak for themselves following last weekend’s win in ASCS National competition in the Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial finale. In the 30-lap A-Main, the Cajun Sensation charged into the lead at the onset with 2011 ASCS Gulf South champion, Ray Allen Kulhanek, in tow. Racing his M&M Farms/www.racediecast.com Maxim hard around Battleground’s 3/8th mile dirt oval, Johnson controlled the point position with the field of competitors chasing his tail tank. Kulhanek tried to make it a race, but on this night the pilot from Eunice, Louisiana was in complete control lapping everyone up to the fifth place finisher. Johnson would not relinquish the lead and led from wire-to-wire to celebrate his 13th overall ASCS victory in the 2011 season. He crossed the winner’s stripe ahead of Kulhanek, Travis Rilat, Aaron Reutzel, and Kolt Walker who rounded out the top five. In victory lane, Jason explained, “Great track tonight and our JJR Maxim was really rollin’ good tonight. I want to thank the crew and our sponsorship partners for being an important part of JJR’s success!”
JJ Brings Louisiana Charm to Victory Lane in Hockett and McMillin Memorial Race
WHEATLAND, Missouri (September 24, 2011) – After locking into the top six redraw with a third place run on Friday night, Jason Johnson and the JJR team were ready to improve their finish in the Haynes Mechanical/Law Offices of Richard Strunks Maxim at Lucas Oil Speedway. After enduring a three hour rain delay on a cool evening in Missouri, the team’s fortunes started to brighten when they pulled the pole position for the 30-lap Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial feature. Pacing the field from the front row on the inside of Brian Brown, Johnson jumped into the lead using the bottom to steer around the 3/8th mile semi banked oval. Once he seized the top spot he quickly maneuvered around the oval catching lap traffic ten laps in to the event. Using the traffic to his advantage he continued to lead, but Friday night’s winner Tim Crawley was now chasing him from the second spot at the midway point. Crawley was relentless and closed in tight using the high side of the speedway, while Johnson used the short way around. Jason kept his FSR Radiators and Racing Products #41 in the lead by moving up to take Crawley’s line away crossing the finish line first in the non-stop event with Crawley, Brown, Jack Dover, and Jeff Swindell rounding out the top five. After winning the Daniel McMillin Memorial races in 2007, 2008, and 2009 this was JJR’s first win in the combined memorial race for the former racer and crew chief. In victory lane, the Louisiana native explained, “This is the first Jesse and Daniel Memorial that I’ve won and JJR has won. I’m at a loss for words.” He continued, “I wished those guys were here.” The win was his 6th ASCS National win of the year.
A Third Place Finish in Prelim Action at Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial Locks JJR #41 into Saturday’s Finale
WHEATLAND, Missouri (September 23, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team were in the pit area at Lucas Oil Speedway on the preliminary night of the Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial race looking to continue their streak of top five finishes. With eight consecutive top fives along the way, to include three wins, three seconds, a third, and a fourth, the team was prepared for action. With 66 cars in the pits, Jason knew he would have to use his Don Ott Racing Engine to power his way forward in the eight lap heat events. Pulling the Pope Properties Maxim onto the speedway in the third heat, he would charge up to the third spot from his seventh starting position. When qualifying action was completed, his work in the heat race was good enough from a points perspective to lock him into the redraw for the A-Main. From his outside fourth row starting spot, he raced forward as front row starters Tim Crawley and Jack Dover held the top spots. He moved his mount into the top five, surrending the fourth position to Brian Brown on lap 20. But, the Cajun stayed up on the wheel and used the high side to keep his forward momentum to make late race passes on Jeff Swindell and early race leader Jack Dover to claim the third spot behind Crawley and Brown. The third place finish was his ninth consecutive top five run. Jason and the JJR team look to improve two spots in Saturday night’s Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial finale.
Johnson Captures His 100th Career ASCS Win at I-80 Speedway
GREENWOOD, Nebraska (September 16, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team stayed in the Midwest to race at I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park this weekend. It paid off as the Louisiana racer captured his 100th career ASCS win overall. With 38 cars in the pit area, the JJR crew prepared the Haynes Mechanical /Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim for action in the second heat race. After ten competitive laps, Johnson brought the #41 across the finish line with a second place finish. In the dash, he raced the Don Ott powered Maxim from his seventh starting spot to a fourth place finish. In the A-Main, front row starters Ryan Roberts and speedster Jack Dover were lined up on the front row with Jordan Boston and the Cajun in row two. When the green was displayed, Roberts jumped out to the early lead, but both Dover and Johnson motored by the leader on the second lap. After a caution on lap four, Johnson had his sights set on the top spot that Dover was holding. Using the high side of the speedway, the Cajun passed Dover on lap five going through turns three and four. But, Dover was not about to just give the top spot away. Over the next seven laps the two would put on an exciting show for the lead, but Johnson would stay in command of the top spot on the leader board. A caution flew on lap 12 to bunch up the ASCS Midwest field and Johnson would show them the way around I-80 Speedway until the red flag was displayed on lap 17 for the flip in the first turn. On the restart, the red was again displayed when Taylor Valasquez took a wild ride in turn three. With a light rain falling and a long delay ahead due to not having a safety crew, the race was made official after 17 laps with Johnson being declared the winner followed by Dover, Jordan Boston, Danny Lasoski, and Roberts rounding out the top five. While he hit the century mark for ASCS wins, the win also represented his 200th overall career victory. A great accomplishment for the competitor from Eunice, Louisiana.
Cajun Sensation Chases Down “The Dude” to Win the Nebraska Cup at Eagle Raceway
EAGLE, Nebraska (September 11, 2011) – An exciting night of racing at Eagle Raceway is in the books and Jason Johnson’s name will be etched in the record books as the 2011 winner of the Nebraska Cup in his Law Offices of Richard Strunks #41 Maxim. The evening got started for the Cajun Sensation in the fourth heat race. From his third starting spot, he quickly showed his Don Ott Racing Engine power and seized the point position and held it throughout the 8-lap event to claim the win. When the qualifying action was completed, Jason pulled the two pill to position himself on the outside of the front row for the Nebraska Cup A-Main beside polesitter Danny “The Dude” Lasoski. After the field was set and the green flag waved on the initial start, it got exciting inside the cockpit of the JJR Maxim. Going into the first corner, Jason hit a rut and bicycled the car almost flipping. But, he quickly gathered it up, refocused, and fell in line in the sixth position. Working the steering wheel hard, he maneuvered his mount around the racy 1/3 mile fast track picking up positions throughout the early laps. With the laps clicking by he made his way into the runner up spot and had Lasoski’s #1m in his sights by lap 17. He tried making the pass for the lead, but couldn’t make it stick. But, on the 22nd lap he did make it stick and led the remainder of the way to win his second consecutive Nebraska Cup event. The win was his 199th career win. Quite a race. Quite an accomplishment for the speedster from Louisiana.
Forty One Chases Bakker to the Stripe at Junction Motor Speedway
McCOOL JUNCTION, Nebraska (September 10, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team headed to McCool Junction, Nebraska, “the Magic City on the Blue”, to compete with the ASCS Midwest Region competitors at Junction Motor Speedway. With 32 cars in the pits, Johnson took to the track in the third heat race and started from the 5th position. Throughout the eight lap event, he was able to advance his Winters Performance/Chalkstix Maxim into the 3rd position when the checkered flag flew. Drawing a five pill for the A-Main, the crew prepped the car and the driver was ready to go for the 25-lap main event around Junction Motor Speedway’s 3/8th mile surface. Circling the track during the parade lap from his third row starting spot, the driver finalized his race strategy from the cockpit. When the green flag waved, he moved to the bottom and started his forward march. Polesitter, Gregg Bakker, jumped out to the early lead and held the point position as Danny Wood tried to take it from him. Growing a bit impatient with the tricky racing surface, the Ragin’ Cajun moved into the runner up position and set his sights on the leader. Bakker was locked down on the bottom of the track. Jason was able to catch up to his rear bumper in his Haynes Mechanical Maxim, but ran out of laps finishing in the second position. On Sunday night, Jason and the JJR team will head to Eagle Raceway to compete in the ASCS Midwest Region’s Nebraska Cup and 9/11 Tribute event.
Fourth Place Finish Rounds Out Lake Ozark Nationals for JJR Team
ELDON, Missouri (September 4, 2011) – After a solid second place run on Saturday night, Jason Johnson and the JJR crew were locked in to Sunday night’s Ninth Annual Lake Ozark Speedway 360 Nationals. On a beautiful, crisp evening for racing, the team watched intently as the other competitors were vying for the remaining spots in the A-Main. The team prepped and tuned the Ben Cook Race Car Products Maxim throughout the night and then went out for hot laps. After the crew made their final adjustments, the Cajun Sensation would buckle into his ButlerBuilt Race Seat ready for action from his fourth starting spot. Jack Dover was to his left, while Mike Goodman and Seth Bergman were in the front row leading the field to the green. When the green flag was displayed on the 30-lap event, Dover surged into the lead with Goodman, Bergman, and Johnson in tow. Maneuvering around the racy, 1/3-mile oval was challenging as a number of cautions were displayed early followed by two red flags late in the race. After thirty competitive laps around Lake Ozark Speedway, Johnson brought the Pope Properties/M&M Farms #41 home in fourth place. This was Jason’s 36th top five finish in 2011 in 60 events (an impressive 60% top five success rate). The team has a busy weekend ahead of them with a competition schedule that includes Valley Speedway on Friday, Junction Motor Speedway on Saturday, and the Nebraska Cup at Eagle Raceway on Sunday. Come out and catch up with Jason, Bobbi, and the entire JJR team and their sponsorship partners at the track!
Johnson Storms to Second Place Finish on Opening Night of the Lake Ozark Nationals
ELDON, Missouri (September 3, 2011) – Jason Johnson brought the FSR Radiator/Schoenfeld Headers #41 Maxim home with a second place finish on the opening night of the Lake Ozark 360 Nationals ahead of the storms. Starting the night off from the 5th starting spot in heat race number two, Jason went to work quickly in the eight lap event. Using his Don Ott Racing Engine power, he worked his way around the tight, 1/3-mile semi-banked oval bringing home a second place finished as he closed on heat race winner’s, Jonathan Cornell, nerf bar on the last lap. For the 25-lap A-Main, Jason would start the JJR Maxim from the inside of row four in the seventh starting spot. Polesitter, Brad Loyet, jumped out to the early lead as Jason went to work, carefully maneuvering around the competition during the early laps, en route to chasing down the front runners. The laps clicked away quickly, as the fast 360 sprint cars circled Lake Ozark Speedway, and Jason was now in the mix with the leaders. As the flagman displayed the five to go, the Louisiana chauffeur positioned himself in fourth and started to worked on Seth Bergman and Mike Goodman for their positions. He passed them both over the final circuits, and then put the heat on the race leader, Brad Loyet, crossing the stripe the last time a half car length behind him to capture a second place finish. Jason and the JJR #41 team are locked in to Sunday night’s Ninth Annual Lake Ozark 360 National event. Come out and catch up with Jason and the JJR team!
A Respectable 4th Place Run for the Cajun Sensation in Knoxville’s 410 Feature
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 27, 2011) – Electing to stay in the midwest to race, Jason and the JJR team bolted their 410 cubic inch Don Ott Racing Engine into their Maxim chassis to compete with the tough Knoxville regulars. With their white Vortex wing, carrying the Nichols Equipment sponsorship from Des Moines, Iowa for the weekend, Jason circled the fast 1/2-mile in time trials in 15.472 seconds, which was 13th quick on the night. Lining up on the outside of the front row in heat race number one, after a false start by polesitter Ryan Bunton on the initial green, Jason took control of the point position when the field restarted and wouldn’t relinquish the lead over the next eight laps, bringing home the victory in front of Mark Dobmeier and Kevin Swindell. During a break in the racing action, Jason and Bobbi Johnson were center stage to proudly accept the 360 Driver and Team of the Year awards for their successful 2010 season from the Knoxville Sprint Car Hall of Fame. An honor well deserved. Then, the native of Eunice, Louisiana went to work with the JJR crew to prepare the #41 for action in the A-Main. Starting the feature from outside row five, 10th starting spot, Jason accelerated as the green flag waved using the topside of the speedway to move up to seventh at the completion of the first lap. Continuing to finesse the fast pedal, Jason moved around Davey Heskin on lap seven for the sixth spot and then passed Austin McCarl on lap sixteen to seize command of the fifth spot. After a yellow for Bronson Maeschen, Johnson charged by Ryan Anderson into fourth and started pressing Kevin Swindell for the third spot. Getting underneath him going into turn one, Jason got up over the berm saving it, but losing ground bringing the Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim home with a fourth place finish.
Johnson Unleashes Left Turn Assault in ASCS National Win at 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals
JACKSON, Minnesota (August 20, 2011) – After locking into Saturday night’s 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals finale with a second place run on Friday night, Jason and the crew waited to draw a pill for their starting spot in the A-Main. As Louisiana luck would have it, Jason pulled a two pill out of the hat to start the Performance Powder Works/ Hoosier Racing Tires #41 Maxim on the outside of the front row with Friday night’s winner, Johnny Herrera, on the inside on the pole. From his second starting spot, Jason mashed the loud pedal when the green flag waved and took the lead on the first lap from polesitter Herrera. Using the top side of the fast and racy 1/2-mile clay oval, Jason caught up to lapped traffic eight laps into the event and worked his way through the field of competitors. But, fourth starting Tim Crawley was close behind in the runner up spot and caught up to Johnson at the midway point of the race. Not deterred, Jason continued to work the topside in the 25-lap event carrying his speed through the left hand turns with precision. Two late cautions reset the field and the Cajun Sensation was fast with a clear track ahead of him. Jason’s Don Ott powered Maxim was the first to reach the checkered flag, his 5th ASCS National win this year, ahead of Tim Crawley, Jeff Swindell, Johnny Herrera, and Jack Dover. In victory lane, Jason explained, “The top is where I like to be. Beautiful cushion, beautiful race track tonight.” He continued, “I wasn’t real happy with the car after hot laps so we tuned on it before the feature and the car was a rocket.” A great win and team effort for the JJR team.
A 2nd Place Run on Opening Night at 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals
JACKSON, Minnesota (August 19, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team hit the track again for night number one of the 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals at the big and racy Jackson Speedway. After winning the fifth heat race, Jason lined the Conroy “Pneu” Control/Jenkins Office Equipment Maxim up on the inside of row two. When the initial green flag was displayed, Jason charged into the lead using the low side to pass the front row starters coming out of turn four, but the pass was negated when Aaron Reutzel flipped before a lap could be completed. On the restart, Johnny Herrera took command of the lead with the Ragin’ Cajun taking the second spot and holding onto that position for the remainder of the way in the 20-lap Loren Woodke Memorial event. With his runner-up finish, Jason and the JJR team are locked into Saturday night’s 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals championship event. Come out and catch up with the JJR team and their sponsorship partners!
Johnson Closes Out Knoxville with an 11TH Place Run at Nationals
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 13, 2011) – The best sprint car drivers in the world. Fifty laps. Forty eight competitive eyes focused on the same thing . . . winning the 51st Annual 410 Knoxville Nationals. Jason Johnson earned his way into this event with two very impressive runs in Thursday night’s qualifying action in the B-Main and A-Main. He followed that up with an equally impressive run in the World Challenge event Friday night. But, winning Saturday night is why everyone came to Knoxville, Iowa in the middle of August. Jason earned the right to start the JJR #41 on the outside of row ten. Nineteen cars ahead of him, four behind eager to pass him. When the green flag waved, Jason patiently worked forward through some interruptions in the action until the competition yellow came out on the 27th lap. The crew replenished the fuel load and prepped the Haynes Mechanical/Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim for the final 23 laps. When action resumed, so did Johnson’s push forward. As Donny Schatz raced under the checkered flag ahead of Shane Stewart and Sammy Swindell, Johnson brought his Lee Chassis/Skwid Signs #41 home with a very respectable 11th place finish at the Knoxville Nationals. That’s something to be proud of because only 24 of the 110 plus entries earned the right to race in this prestigious event.
Cajun Sensation Runs 4th in the Premier Chevy Dealers World Challenge
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 12, 2011) – After accumulating 440 points during his qualifying night, and locking into Saturday night’s 51st Annual Knoxville Nationals, Jason and the JJR team focused their attention on the Premier Chevy Dealers’ World Challenge race. Racing in both the United States in the JJR #41 and over in Australia in Alan Haynes’ NQ47, earned Jason access into the Premier Chevy Dealers’ World Challenge event. The starting grid lined up in inverted order by points accumulated during their respective qualifying nights for the 20-lap showdown event. The Cajun Sensation lined the Haynes Mechanical/GT Bobcat Maxim up on the inside of row six in the 11th starting spot beside Craig Dollansky. When the initial green flag waved, a melee involving Brooke Tatnell, Cody Darrah, Sammy Swindell, and Dollansky occurred on the front stretch bringing out the red flag. When racing action resumed, Jason cruised around the 1/2-mile oval advancing forward one position at a time. On lap 17, Jason continued his charge forward seizing the fourth running spot from Lynton Jeffrey. After 20 fast paced laps were completed, Jason’s march forward ended as the checkered flag flew over the World Challenge event as he earned a respectable 4th place finish. Jason and the team will now focus on continuing their forward progress and their recent successes as they focus and prepare the JJR #41 Maxim for Saturday night’s 51st Annual Knoxville Nationals.
What a Run for the Forty One ! The Ragin’ Cajun goes Wild with a 5th Place Finish in Qualifying Night A-Main at the 410 Knoxville Nationals
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 11, 2011) – With 54 sprint cars crowded in the pit area, Jason pulled a low pill and pulled the KSE/LaBella Construction Maxim out for time trials third. He then proceeded to circle the famous 1/2-mile oval in 15.584 seconds, which when time trials ended was good enough for 18th quick. In the third heat race, Jason lined up from the 5th starting spot. When the green flag waved, the car stumbled coming out of four and he lost a few positions. But, he quickly got back on the gas and accelerated using the low side in one and turn to retake a few of the lost positions. His forward momentum got disrupted though going down the backstretch when he and Terry McCarl almost made contact going into turn three. After regathering the car, he finished the remaining nine laps and was scored 7th at the finish. Starting 12th in the B-Main, Jason had his work cut out for him. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he charged forward using his Don Ott Racing Engine’s horsepower through the 12-lap event and on the last lap coming out of turn four he used the low side and catapulted down the front stretch beating Greg Hodnett to the stripe to steal the fourth and final qualifying position to advance to the A-Main. In the A-Main, Jason started on the outside of row twelve in the 24th starting spot. When flagman, Doug Clark, waved the green flag the hot shoe from Eunice went to work burying his right foot on the fast pedal. He made his way up to 16th when the yellow flag waved on lap 3; was 12th when the yellow came back out on lap 7; and, he was up to 9th when the yellow reappeared yet again on lap 13. Then, on the restart, the persistent Louisiana chauffeur of speed put on a show and raced forward to bring the Law Offices of Richard Strunks Maxim home in the fifth position. What a run for the forty one!
Cajun Sensation Does Double Duty at Knoxville – Finishes 12th in Both the 410 All Star Event and the 360 Nationals
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 6, 2011) – Under clear blue skies, Jason had two Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Pope Properties Maxim race cars sitting in the pit area. In All Star 410 action, Jason raced under the black Vortex wing and timed 20th quick with a lap of 16.107 seconds. In heat race action, he started on the outside of row one. After the green flag dropped he surrendered the second position when he got close to tapping the backstretch wall on the opening lap, but was able to gather it up and finish the 8-lap event in the third position. Advancing to the A-Main, Jason lined up from the 18th starting spot. On the opening lap he entered one high, collected it and charged down the backstretch getting together with Brian Brown, with Brown spinning and bringing out the yellow. Jason quickly ducked into the pit area under the caution and tagged the rear of the field for the restart. Over the next 20 laps, he used his right foot and Don Ott horsepower to move forward through the field bringing home a respectable 12th place finish. After jumping out of the 410, he jumped right into his ButlerBuilt seat and strapped into his Crow Enterprizes safety equipment in the M&M Farms Maxim with the Don Ott 360 under the hood. Using the white Vortex wing for the finale of the 21st Annual ASCS 360 Nationals, Jason started on the outside of row four for the 25-lap finale. After the event was interrupted by a number of cautions and red flags, racing resumed with Jason passing under the checkered flag in the 12th position.
Johnson Finishes in the Show Position to Lock into the 21st Annual ASCS 360 Nationals Finale
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 5, 2011) – After mother nature washed out Thursday night’s qualifying program, 97 cars were in the pit area at Knoxville Raceway. The Thursday night qualifiers hit Knoxville’s black gumbo surface first for time trials. Jason was the twenty second qualifier pushed out in his Law Offices of Richard Strunks Maxim and was timed circling the track in 16.145 seconds. That lap was good enough for 10th quick out of the 49 Thursday night competitors. In his heat race, he started in the five hole and was able to gain one spot to finish fourth. With solid qualifying efforts he garnered enough point to earn the third starting spot in the 20-lap A-Main. He raced hard throughout the event and was able to bring the Lickdale Campground hot rod home with a solid third place finish. After both night’s qualifying events were completed, and the total points for each driver were calculated, Jason earned 469 points. That was the eight highest point total and for his hard work and efforts he earned the right to start from the outside of row four, eight starting spot, in Saturday night’s 21st Annual ASCS 360 Nationals. Be sure to watch the Ragin’ Cajun, under his new white wing, compete for the win in Saturday night’s action.
Mother Nature Forces Officials to Postpone First Night of Qualifying at Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 4, 2011) – With persistent rain showers hovering around Knoxville, race officials were forced to postpone the first night of qualifying for the 21st Annual ASCS 360 Knoxville Nationals. Both qualifying events will be held on Friday.
On the Eve of the 21st Annual ASCS 360 Knoxville Nationals . . . the JJR #41 Team is Ready to Go!
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (August 3, 2011) – The Don Ott Racing Engine is sitting comfortably in Jason Johnson’s Maxim chassis, ready to produce the horsepower necessary to get around the famed Knoxville Raceway in a fast way. The Vortex Racing Products wings will produce the necessary down force when the Louisiana native stands on the accelerator of the Haynes Mechanical/FK Rod Ends #41 in the competition for the 24 starting spots in Saturday night’s A-Main. The winner on Saturday night will be crowned the 2011 360 Knoxville Nationals champion and receive the $10,000 portion of the purse, but the work begins on your qualifying night. Jason, the JJR crew, and their proud sponsorship partners are focused and ready to go in Thursday night’s qualifying races. Let the racing at Knoxville begin!
Johnson Leaves ASCS Western Swing with 4th Place Finish
PLACERVILLE, California (July 30, 2011) – Back on the track for night two of the ASCS “Bullring” Nationals, Jason and the JJR team looked to recover with a good run. They delivered as they went out in heat three and took advantage of their outside front row starting spot to take the win. In the A-Main event, the Factory Kahne Shocks/Ben Cook Race Car Products #41 Maxim started from the ninth spot and Jason used all 35 laps around Placerville’s 1/4 mile oval to move forward and bring the Haynes Mechanical sponsored mount home with a solid 4th place finish behind race winner Wayne Johnson, runner up Shane Stewart, and third place running Brady Bacon. The team will start their trek to the Midwest for the 21st Annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Nationals at Knoxville Raceway.
Tough Night in ASCS “Bullring” Nationals Opener at Placerville Speedway
PLACERVILLE, California (July 29, 2011) – The first night of the ASCS “Bullring” Nationals was challenging to say the least for Jason and the JJR team. Scheduled to start seventh in the third heat race, the night got to a rough start as the team experienced ignition problems relegating them to an 8th place finish. Forced to start from the 11th spot in the 12-lap B-Main event, Jason wheeled his Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim around the 1/4 mile oval only to fall one spot short of a transfer position. Electing to use his first provisional of the year, Jason powered his way forward using his Don Ott Racing Engine. His aggressive march forward had him just outside the top ten when his got off track in turn four on the last lap and he was scored 20th in the final running order. The JJR team will collect their thoughts and prepare for the “Bullring” Nationals finale Saturday night at Placerville Speedway’s racy, 1/4 mile oval in California’s Gold Country.
A Weekend Sweep at Cottage Grove Speedway is Special for the Cajun Sensation
COTTAGE GROVE, Oregon (July 23, 2011) – After capturing the preliminary night victory, Jason Johnson was determined to back that effort up with another win in the ASCS National Series Sprint Car Nationals at Cottage Grove Speedway. Locked into the redraw for Saturday night’s action, the JJR crew made sure the Pope Properties/Law Offices of Richard Strunks Maxim was ready for action. After pulling the three pill, Jason nestled safely down into his ButlerBuilt seat and strapped into his Crow Enterprizes safety equipment for the 35-lap main event around the 1/4-mile oval. Pacing around the oval behind front row starters Jeff Swindell and Wayne Johnson, he was ready to go to work with David Pope watching from above and the Pope Family watching from afar. At the green, Jason stayed comfortably in the third spot for the first 13 circuits before taking the runner up spot away from Jeff Swindell. Over the next 15 laps, the action would be fast and furious, and sometimes really tight to say the least, between Wayne Johnson and Jason Johnson. After numerous attempts to get by Wayne Johnson, the Cajun Sensation finally made it around him on the topside on lap 28 to seize the lead. He would hold that lead over the final circuits to complete a sweep of the racing action at Cottage Grove Speedway. After the event, Jason reflected, “I really kept working the top to try to pry him off the bottom.” He continued, “Then after he shut the door on me there, I knew I was going to get by one way or another.” Determination and perseverance. Two qualities that defined David Pope. A successful weekend in which Jason and Bobbi Johnson, along with the JJR team and sponsorship partners, honored David Pope who was a friend and one of our biggest supporters as he watched from above.
A Victory Lane Salute to David Pope at Cottage Grove Speedway
COTTAGE GROVE, Oregon (July 22, 2011) – In dramatic fashion, Jason Johnson wheeled his Pope Properties JJR #41 Maxim into victory lane 0.027 seconds ahead of runner up Roger Crockett in the preliminary night of ASCS National competition at Cottage Grove Speedway. After 30-laps around the competitive 1/4-mile clay oval, only inches separated the winner from Louisiana from hard charging Roger Crockett. It was Johnson’s 96th ASCS victory and his 196th overall. After starting 5th, Johnson went to work around the oval using the high side to maneuver forward in pursuit of the top spot. After seizing the lead on lap 15 from Johnny Herrera, Johnson would hold the top spot with Crockett chasing close behind until the final time across the win stripe. In victory lane, Johnson exclaimed, “That was close, real close!” He continued, “I could smell him, it was too close for comfort, there’s a reason he’s the best in the northwest.” The dramatic win was an emotional, but fitting one for Johnson and the JJR team as the team honored David Pope and the Pope Family, who have been long time friends and supporters. Jason explained, “This one is for David Pope. He was a special part of our lives and we’ll miss him, but we will continue to race hard and win races in his honor.” The win locked Jason Johnson and the JJR team into Saturday night’s Cottage Grove Sprint Car Nationals finale.
One of JJR’s Greatest Friends and Supporters, David Pope, Will Have the Best Seat in the House as He Watches From Above
GREENVILLE, Texas (July 21, 2011) – One of the benefits of being a professional race car driver is the people you get to meet around the world. In some cases, you cultivate a relationship with those individuals and in the best case scenario they become friends for life. David Pope was one of those people in Jason and Bobbi Johnson’s life. He was a courageous and successful man both in business and in life. He lived, loved, laughed and supported his family, friends, and everyone who crossed his path in life. For the Johnson’s, David Pope was a teacher of life, a personal and business advisor, a supporter through his never ending words of encouragement, a builder of lifelong memories, and most importantly our close personal friend. He believed in us when we needed it the most and made us smile when we could have frowned. While words could never fulfill everything he did for for the Johnson’s and JJR, we are sincerely thankful to him and his loving family and will race forward with him always in our hearts, thoughts, and memories. He will be missed dearly by the Johnson’s and everyone at JJR. Please keep the Pope Family – Joy, Dustin, John, and Julie – in your thoughts and prayers as they move forward and live life to the fullest as he would want them to . . . in the David Pope way.
Raceless Just Outside Seattle for ASCS National Series
ELMA, Washington (July 16, 2011) – Dark skies and cold, wet weather continued in the Pacific Northwest forcing the ASCS National competitors to stay under cover, while Grays Harbor Raceway and ASCS officials were forced to cancel both scheduled events slated for Friday and Saturday evening. Jason, Bobbi, and the JJR team will wait patiently in Washington before heading 250 miles south to Oregon to race at Cottage Grove Speedway next weekend on Friday and Saturday night! Let’s hope for great weather so the racers can put on a good show for all the sprint car fans in this part of the country. If you live out here, make sure you plans for next weekend include coming out to Cottage Grove Speedway to catch up with Jason, the JJR team and all of our sponsorship partners.
Johnson Speeds to 3rd Place Finish at I-90 Speedway in ASCS Midwest 360 Nationals
HARTFORD, South Dakota (July 9, 2011) – The JJR team headed to I-90 Speedway for the ASCS Midwest 360 Nationals. After arriving at the racy, high banked 3/8-mile dirt oval located in Minnehaha County, Jason quickly went to work showing his speed as he advanced from his sixth starting spot in heat four to come across the finish line in the runner-up spot in the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim. On a hot and humid Midwest evening, the team watched as the track conditions evolved and prepared for the 25-lap A-Main. When the two B-Main events were completed, the JJR crew pushed their ISC Racers Tape hot rod out on to the track for the A-Main as Jason started in the fifth position. It was time to race. The green flag flew, but early action was interrupted on the opening lap for a flip and then two laps later the caution was thrown for a spin. When racing resumed, Jason quickly moved into the top three running in the second position. He would continue chasing the leader as you could have thrown a blanket over the top three with ten to go, but the JJR entry had its front nose wing laying down on the hood. On lap 18, Wayne Johnson held the point while Jason begrudgingly surrendered the runner-up spot to Brady Bacon. The remaining laps would click by with Wayne Johnson collecting the win followed by Brady Bacon and Jason Johnson bring home a well earned 3rd place finish. Jason and the JJR #41 team will make the 1,540 mile trek northwest to Elma, Washington for the beginning of the ASCS western states swing starting with the 5th Annual Fred Brownfield Memorial at Grays Harbor Raceway. Come out and catch up with the Ragin’ Cajun and the JJR team as they visit the Pacific Northwest over the next two weekends!
Cajun Sensation Steals Show Position at Stripe at Jackson Speedway
JACKSON, Minnesota (July 8, 2011) – Never give up. Jason Johnson proved that motto on Friday night when he stole the runner-up spot away from Wayne Johnson at the stripe in the 25-lap ASCS Midwest Folken Brothers Trucking/Van Wyhe Livestock makeup Spring Sprint Car Nationals at Jackson Speedway. After securing a 4th place finish in his heat race action, Johnson and the Vortex Racing Products/Gleco Plating Inc. JJR #41 team advanced to the dash, which determined the starting grid for the A-Main. Johnson powered his way around the high banked 1/2-mile dirt oval using the horsepower provided by his 360 Don Ott Racing Engine and captured the 3rd spot. Lined up on the inside of row two for the A-Main, behind front row starters Shane Stewart and Wayne Johnson, the Cajun Sensation got up to speed quickly when the green flag was displayed. Early action was slowed on lap five when a caution was displayed, but when racing resumed it was fast and furious. If you didn’t have your right foot planted the whole time, you were left in the dust. The driver of the JJR #41 certainly likes planting his right foot on the accelerator and did just that when racing resumed. The last twenty laps went non-stop as Shane Stewart, Wayne Johnson, and Jason Johnson led the field in the flat out pursuit of the checkered flag. Working hard in his ButlerBuilt seat, the Cajun wasn’t giving up. His persistence and hard worked paid off right at the stripe on the last lap when he just beat Wayne Johnson to the finish line to capture the show position behind Shane Stewart. A good night. A well deserved second place finish.
14th Place Finish in Jan Opperman Memorial in PA Speedweek Finale
SELINSGROVE, Pennsylvania (July 3, 2011) – Selinsgrove Speedway hosted the finale for the 21st Annual Pennsylvania Speedweek with the running of the Jan Opperman Memorial. With 31 410 sprint cars in the pit area, Jason was the 30th car to take time trials. But, during hot laps the team broke a u-joint and needed to replace it, so the team went to work feverishly to get the repairs made in time for the Ragin’ Cajun to go out. When he did go out, he raced around the big 1/2-mile speed joint in 17.397 seconds, which was 10th quick on the evening. With three heat races slated, Jason pulled his Wilwood/FSR Radiators #41 hot rod into the third starting spot for the first heat race. When the green flag flew over the field of competitors, Johnson went to work with the accelerator and the steering wheel holding his position. As lap six was scored, Jason drove hard around Adam Wilt and Curt Michael with his sights set on race leader Mark Smith. With a late caution, Jason took one last shot at the leader, but was unable to make the pass and finished second. In the A-Main, the Louisiana wheelman was scheduled to start tenth, but unfortunately after being pushed off he had to re-enter the pits so the crew could address a mechanical issue. With this turn of events, the #41 Maxim was relegated to the 24th starting spot for the 30-lap event. Being dealt a lemon, the Cajun Sensation was going to try to make lemonade. He went to work early and started passing cars often. Lap after lap he used the high line and powered down the front and rear straightaways using the power his Don Ott Racing Engines provided. When all was said and done, he had advanced 10 spots to claim the 14th finishing position. A great run, but with a little luck better results were in store for the JJR driver and team. Lessons learned. They will be better next time.
Persistence Pays Off as Johnson Fights Back for a 12th Place Finish at Port Royal Speedway
PORT ROYAL, Pennsylvania (July 2, 2011) – As the saying goes, some things get better with time. That certainly was true for Jason and the JJR #41 team on their second visit to Port Royal Speedway for PA Speedweek. The push truck pulled up behind the Winters Rear Ends/Factory Kahne #41 Maxim and pushed the Cajun out for his time trial run. Jason ran his qualifying lap in 18.878 seconds, good for 24th quick, which put him on the pole in the fourth heat race. When the green flag waved, Brent Marks jumped out to the early lead with Jason close behind and Greg Hodnett pushing both for their positions. Hodnett would make the necessary passes for the lead and win the event followed across the line by Marks and Johnson. For the A-Main, based on their qualifying time, Jason would line up on the outside of the last row in the 24th starting spot. The driver and crew made a number of setup changes to the car and when the green flag waved the Cajun went to work. At the end of the first lap he had advanced four positions, and his forward assault would continue throughout the 30-lap event. A late caution flew to tighten the field up, and when racing resumed so did Jason’s forward progress only hindered by a slowly leaking right rear tire. During the remaining laps he was able to make a few more passes to bring home a 12th place finish. The JJR #41 Maxim definitely got better with time on this night through a great team effort.
Challenging Night at “The Grove” Ends with a 19th Place Finish
MECHANICSBURG, Pennsylvania (July 1, 2011) – As the team rolled into the historic 1/2-mile oval at Williams Grove their hopes ran high that their stellar performances would continue. Early in the evening, Jason was the 16th competitor to take to the track in the K&N Filters/Pope Properties #41 for time trials. The quickest of his two laps was 18.087 seconds, which was 23rd quick and good enough to position him on the pole in the third heat. At the drop of the green, Jason jumped out to an early lead over Doug Esh and Greg Hodnett leading the way around the top side. Hodnett would duck under him in turns one and two on lap six and Jason would cross the line second in his Maxim. For the feature event, the challenges lied ahead of the pilot from Eunice, Louisiana as he started in the 21st starting position for the 30-lap Mitch Smith Memorial event. Throughout the race, Jason worked hard to maneuver around the paperclip shaped oval, trying the high side and then dropping low, but could not catch an edge to propel his momentum forward. On lap 18, a competition red was displayed and Jason dropped into the pits so the crew could make some adjustments. Restarting at the rear, he was able to advance forward and bring home a 19th place finish.
Successful PA Speedweek Continues with 7th Place Finish at Port Royal Speedway
PORT ROYAL, Pennsylvania (June 30, 2011) – PA Speedweek moved north to Port Royal Speedway, nestled in the rolling hills of Juniata County, for the fifth night of racing. Drawing a low pill upon arrival, Jason and the team prepared the Skwid Signs/Brown Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS) #41 for an early run in time trials. Jason took the the track third and laid down a good lap of 16.450 seconds, which eventually was good enough for 11th quick overall. Then, in heat race action, the beautifully prepared Maxim lined up on the outside of row two, and the Cajun Sensation went to work as the ‘go’ lights illuminated. Gaining speed around the big 1/2-mile oval, he hugged the inner retaining walls on the bottom to make the pass for third and then pressured second place running Aaron Ott for that position. Ott held the position as Johnson continued to pressure, but on lap eight Ott suffered mechanical ills and Jason inherited the second spot and went to work on the leader, Cliff Brian. On the restart he got under Brian, but couldn’t make it stick and finished in the runner up spot. For the 30-lap A-Main, the Cajun would line up in the ninth starting spot. When the green was displayed he lost three or four positions, but quickly recovered and moved forward back to reclaim the tenth position. After a few early cautions, Jason made some nice moves on the high side in turns one and two gain a spot and then used the bottom in turns three and four to pass some more cars. When the dust settled, and believe me that took some time as it was hard to see through all the dust, the checkered flagged waved over race winner Greg Hodnett with Johnson passing the stripe to earn a respectable 7th place finish on the night. Be sure to come out to Williams Grove Speedway Friday night for more action at the Mitch Smith Memorial race and catch up with Jason, Bobbi and the entire JJR team.
Quick Time and a 2nd Place Finish Highlight Johnson’s Efforts at Hagerstown Speedway
HAGERSTOWN, Maryland (June 29, 2011) – Hard work pays off. Jason and the JJR team headed south of the Mason-Dixon line, to Hagerstown Speedway, for the fourth night of PA Speedweek. Looking to rebound from mechanical issues Sunday night at Bedford, the team went to work early in the week and it didn’t take long for their hard work and efforts to pay dividends. Johnson wheeled the Don Ott Racing Engines powered Maxim around the slick 1/2-mile oval in 16.665 seconds, which was quick time of the night. For his efforts in time trials he was awarded $100 from Jake’s Custom Golf Carts. Starting sixth in his heat, on a tricky surface, Jason used the low groove in turns one and two and the middle groove in three and four to move into the fourth spot and he held the position throughout the event. Being the quickest of the top six qualifiers, Jason was the first to pull a starting pill and drew number one, which put him on the pole for the A-Main. When the green flag waved, Jason accelerated off the bottom in his M&M Farms/FK Rod Ends mount and controlled the point position. Catching lapped traffic on lap nine made it challenging, but Jason maneuvered through the traffic and held the point position until surrendering the lead in traffic to Greg Hodnett on the backstretch on lap 19. Hodnett would go on to take the victory with Johnson claiming the runner up spot, Danny Dietrich came across third, Alan Krimes fourth, and Tyler Walker rounded out the top five. After the race Jason stated, “We’re never totally happy with second, we’d rather win, especially when you start on the pole. But, we had a great run tonight and the guys worked hard. I’m pleased.”
Ragin’ Cajun and JJR Team to Stay in Keystone State to Compete in Remaining PA Speedweek Events
THOMASVILLE, Pennsylvania (June 29, 2011) – Mechanical issues short circuited their charge forward at Bedford Speedway on Sunday night, so Jason and the team went to work to address their problems and prepare the JJR Maxim for the next race. The team will head to Hagerstown Speedway Wednesday night to compete in Night #4 of the 21st Annual Speedweek. Then, the current plans are to compete in the remainder of the events on the PA Speedweek schedule. Be sure to stop out and catch up with Jason and the team while they are in Pennsylvania. Also, make sure to stop by and check out the two new t-shirt designs and other JJR merchandise available for purchase at the track.
Lickdale Campground is the Place to Stay if you are Following PA Speedweek
LICKDALE, Pennsylvania (June 26, 2011) – Kyle and Tammy Boltz’s beautiful family campground is located in a perfect spot to catch all of the races during the 21st Annual Pennsylvania Speedweek. Situated off I-81 at PA Exit 90, along the scenic Swatara Creek, you can relax during the day and enjoy the high speed sprint car action at night throughout the week. Lots of fun activities to do, such as canoeing, kayaking, tubing, riding the banana bikes, or pedal bikes, in a natural and relaxing setting. If you are there over the July 4th weekend, you can catch the famous “Quack Attack” ducky race, too. Visit them on the web at www.lickdalecampground.com or call them directly at 877.865.6411 to reserve a spot for yourself.
A Bad Break at Bedford Speedway Ends a Terrific Night for Johnson and the JJR Team
BEDFORD, Pennsylvania (June 26, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team came to Pennsylvania ready to race. The evening got off to a fantastic start when he circled the 1/2-mile oval in time trials in 16.745 seconds, which was 2nd quick for the night. In his heat race, he started sixth and quickly went to work to secure a qualifying spot. When the checkered flag flew he was the fourth car across the line. Since he made the inversion, the next step was to pull his starting position for the A-Main. He pulled a three pill, so he would start the feature from the inside of row two in the Lickdale Campground Maxim for the 30-lap event. At the drop of the green, he dropped back to fourth and settled in before pressuring Stevie Smith for the 3rd spot. Smith would blow a left rear tire as Johnson passed him on the high side. When racing resumed, the talented driver from Louisiana used the low side to pass Fred Rahmer for second and set his sights on the leader, Daryn Pittman. Unfortunately, on lap 27, mechanical issues forced him to spin in turn one to avoid contact with the wall ending his evening with a disappointing 19th place finish.
Johnson Completes Ohio Sprint Speedweek at Fremont Speedway with a 16th Place Finish
FREMONT, Ohio (June 25, 2011) – As the final checkered flag flew on the 29th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek, The JJR/ LaBella Construction #41 crossed the finish line in 16th place. After circling Fremont Speedway in time trials in 13.413 seconds, 28th quick, Jason went to work qualifying 5th in the fourth heat event. For the A-Main, the Louisiana wheelman lined the Winters/Schoenfeld Headers equipped Maxim on the outside of row ten in the 20th starting spot for the 50-lap event. Johnson again moved his mount forward throughout the entire race bringing home the 16th place finish. In his first extended outing with his Don Ott Racing Engines 410 motor, Johnson qualified for every Ohio Speedweek event and finished in the top ten in the week long Speedweek point standings. Jason and the team continue their racing journey Sunday night at Bedford Speedway competing with the PA Posse regulars on night two of the 21st Annual Pennsylvania Speedweek.
The Star was Flying at Limaland Motorsports Park with a 5th Place Finish
LIMA, Ohio (June 24, 2011) – After starting 14th in the field, Jason had an impressive run to the front in the Conroy Pneu Control/Shop Motorsports #41 JJR Maxim, resulting in a 5th place finish. After time trials, Johnson went to work in the fourth heat race from his third starting spot to finish second behind Jessica Zemken. Qualifying for the A-Main, he had his work cut out for him starting from the 14th position in the grid. Jason quickly went to work passing cars and worked his way forward throughout the event. Consistently using the strategy of racing where the other competitors aren’t, he positioned himself in the top ten with his sights set further towards the front. He continued to pass cars charging across the line fifth behind Kyle Sauder, Tim Shaffer, Danny Holtgraver, and David Gravel. The 29th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek wraps up tonight at Fremont Speedway with the $10,000-to-win event. Stop out and catch up with the team before they head east for Sunday night’s Pennsylvania Speedweek event at Bedford Speedway.
Umbrellas and Racing Aren’t A Good Combination – Racing Cancelled at Millstream Speedway . . . Again
FINDLAY, Ohio (June 23, 2011) – Once again, rain was the victor on this evening as the race officials were forced to cancel the Ohio Sprint Speedweek event at Millstream Speedway. The series moves on to Limaland Motorsports Park Friday night and then finishes up the week at Fremont Speedway on Saturday. Catch up with the JJR team at one of these events. The brand new JJR t-shirts are in and available at the JJR merchandise trailer! Make sure to stop by and get one for yourself.
A Top Ten Run at Sharon Speedway for Jason Johnson and the JJR #41 Team
HARTFORD, Ohio (June 22, 2011) – Finally, the rain drops stopped falling and the 410 sprint car engines roared back to action at Sharon Speedway in the 29th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek. Jason wheeled his Ben Cook Race Products/Chalk Stix Maxim around the 3/8th-mile oval in 14.750 seconds, which placed him 20th in the time trial order. In the fourth heat race, Jason lined up on the outside of the front row and hammered the loud pedal when the green flag dropped to take the lead into turn one ahead of Ed Lynch, Jr., the Sharon Speedway all-time win leader, and would not surrender the lead, taking the heat race victory. For the feature, the #41 Maxim was on the outside of row nine with an eager driver strapped into his ButlerBuilt race seat ready to move forward. Over the next 30-laps, the talented Louisiana driver navigated through the field advancing nine spots to claim a 9th place finish at the stripe. Jason and the JJR team will head back to Millstream Speedway on Thursday night for another round of racing action. Stop out and catch up with the team while they are in the Ohio area racing.
Rain, Rain Go Away . . . Ohio Sprint Speedweek Event at Fremont Speedway Drenched
FREMONT, Ohio (June 21, 2011) – With time trials and heat races in the books, the skies opened up and dropped a lot of rain in a short period of time to bring a quick end to the racing action at Fremont Speedway. The JJR team will hope for better weather and drive east in their Kenworth for the next Ohio Sprint Speedweek event at Sharon Speedway on Wednesday.
Wet Weather Washes Out Waynesfield Raceway Park Event
WAYNESFIELD, Ohio (June 20, 2011) – Wet weather once again claimed another racing event this season. This time it washed out the Ohio Sprint Speedweek event scheduled for Waynesfield Raceway Park on Monday night. Jason and the JJR team will hope for sun and clear skies on Tuesday, so they can get back to racing again at Fremont Speedway. Stop and and catch up with the team!
Persistent Rain Forces Millstream Speedway to Postpone Event Until Thursday
FINDLAY, Ohio (June 19, 2011) – With persistent rain falling in northwest Ohio, Millstream Speedway was forced to postpone their Ohio Sprint Speedweek event until Thursday, June 23rd. Next stop for Jason and the JJR team on their trek through Ohio is Monday night at Waynesfield Raceway Park.
A 16th Place Finish at KC Raceway on Night #2 of Ohio Speedweek
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (June 18, 2011) – The journey through Ohio continued for Jason Johnson and the team. The stop last night at KC Raceway ended with a 16th place finish, which keeps Johnson and the team ninth in the overall 29th Annual Ohio Speedweek point standings. After timing 15th, with a lap of 12.046 seconds, Johnson went out in his Kenny’s Components/ISC Racers Tape #41 Maxim and ran hard to capture third in his heat race to move on to the A-Main. With qualifying behind them, the team went over the equipment and lined up on the outside of row seven in the 14th starting spot for the feature. After 30 competitive laps, Johnson crossed under the checkered flag and was scored with a 16th place finish in this competitive field. The team will again be in competition Sunday night at Millstream Speedway in Findlay, Ohio. Come out to the track and catch up with the JJR team!
Johnson Charges Hard for 9th Place Finish at Attica Raceway Park on Night #1 of Ohio Speedweek
ATTICA, Ohio (June 17, 2011) – Jason Johnson and the JJR #41 team headed to the Buckeye state for the start of the O’Reilly All Stars Sprints 29th Annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek at Attica Raceway Park. With this being the first of eight races in nine days for the JJR team during Ohio Speedweek, the team was excited to get started with their Don Ott 410 Racing Engine. With forty seven 410 sprint cars in the pits, after a short rain delay, Jason circled Attica’s racy oval in time trials in 12.998 seconds putting him 28th in the final time trial results. Jason then was shooting for a top five finish in his heat race action to lock down one of the A-Main starting spots. Starting 7th in his heat, he quickly went to work advancing forward bringing the Haynes Mechanical/Vortex Racing Products #41 home in the fourth position to advance to the evening’s final race. For the 40-lap feature though he had his work cut out for him starting back in the 23rd starting spot. Using a combination of power and patience, the Louisiana native worked his way through the field earning a 9th place finish. In addition to his top ten finish, advancing 14 positions earned the Cajun Sensation that hard Charger award. Next up for the team is Saturday night at KC Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio. Come out and catch up with Jason and the JJR team!
Nights Like this Happen . . . Johnson Finishes 24th at Eagle Nationals
EAGLE, Nebraska (June 11, 2011) – In racing, you have to take the good with the bad . . . and the bad is always much more difficult to take even though you don’t experience it as often. After finishing 7th in his heat race action, Jason and the JJR #41 team powered their Maxim chassis to a third place finishing spot in B-Main action after starting seventh to advance to the Eagle Nationals finale. In the first few laps of the A-Main, Johnson bolted towards the front from his 22nd starting spot making his way up to 12th by lap three. Then, the night took a turn for the worst when on lap four the defending ASCS National champion caught a rut and flipped to end his evening. He was scored 24th in the finishing order. Fortunately, Jason was uninjured in the accident as all of his Crow Enterprizes safety equipment and Bell Racing Helmet worked as expected. So, as all true champions do he and the JJR team will put this behind them and refocus for the next race and next success!
Rain Wins Out in Eagle Nationals Opener for ASCS National Competitors!
EAGLE, Nebraska (June 10, 2011) – Another cancellation of sprint car action due to rain. Mother Nature captured another event, this time it was Night #1 at the Eagle Nationals for Jason Johnson and his fellow ASCS National competitors. The JJR #41 Team will focus their attention to tomorrow night’s racing action at the fast track.
Big Win for Cajun in ASCS National Competition at Little Rock’s I-30 Speedway!
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (June 4, 2011) – Beating Tim Crawley at Little Rock is no small chore. But, that is exactly what Jason Johnson did last night in ASCS National competition at I-30 Speedway in his Law Offices of Richard Strunks #41. After garnering a second in his heat race , he was set to start fourth in the 35-lap main event. As soon as the flag was displayed, Johnson starting getting the most out of his Don Ott Racing Engines powered Maxim chasing down second starting Tim Crawley who took the lead at the start. On the fast and racy surface, Johnson started looking high and low, or “wherever he wasn’t” as Jason explained after the race, to find away around. He did just that on lap seven using the top side in turns 1 and 2, only to have the pass negated when Philip Faulkner’s car came to a stop on the backstretch bringing out the yellow. When the race resumed, Crawley and Johnson put on a show. Both of these cagey veterans were using every bit of the track, their talents, and their racing prowess lap after lap. On lap 24, Jason’s strategy finally paid off as he took the lead and wheeled his Weld Racing Wheels and Hoosier Racing Tires across the pay line first. In victory lane, Jason explained, “It’s never easy. I’ll tell ya what, to come to Little Rock and beat Tim Crawley, that’s for all the fans.” Celebrating in victory lane with his crew and the Strunks family, Jason continued, “It shows how strong a race team we’ve got, and the people that are committed behind this race team and are part of it day in and day out. I couldn’t be happier right now, I’m having the time of my life.”
Johnson Caps Memorial Day Classic Weekend with a Victory at Speedarama Raceway
LUFKIN, Texas (May 29, 2011) – After two runner-up finishes the previous two nights, Jason and the JJR team had one thing on their mind when they arrived at Speedarama Raceway . . . to win. With that goal clearly defined, Jason strapped himself into the cockpit in his Crow Enterprizes safety equipment and went to work. In his heat race, Johnson finishes in the second spot, which when all was said and done lined him up on the inside of row three, in the 5th starting spot, for the A-Main. As the green flag waved, polesitter Brandon Berryman took the lead and led the first two circuits. But, on the next lap the Ragin Cajun stormed into the lead and did not relinquish it the remainder of the way crossing the finish line ahead of Michael Dupuy, Brandon Berryman, Gary Wright, and Ray Allen Kulhanek.
Another 2nd Place Finish for the JJR #41 Team at Gator Motorplex
WILLIS, Texas (May 28, 2011) – Always one to run for the win, second place finishes are not always satisfying. But, last night at Gator Motorplex, Jason wheeled the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Pope Properties Maxim into the show position behind “The Texan” Gary Wright for the second straight night. After winning his heat race, Jason aligned his Don Ott Racing Engines #41 in the third starting spot and chased polesitter Gary Wright throughout the entire race to the stripe. Following Wright and Johnson across the stripe was Kevin Ramey’s #7m, Aaron Reutzel’s #87, and Channin Tankersley’s #71 to round out the top five. Tonight, Johnson and the JJR team head to Lufkin, Texas to compete in the ASCS Gulf South event at Speedarama Raceway.
Cajun Charges to a 2nd Place Finish at Golden Triangle Raceway Park
BEAUMONT, Texas (May 27, 2011) – JJR kicked off the Memorial Day holiday weekend at Golden Triangle Raceway Park. In heat race action, Jason brought home the victory which afforded him the opportunity to start fifth in the A-Main. On a wet, heavy, and very fast race track, this event had the makings of a great show with Jason and Gary Wright starting in the first three rows. Wright started from the outside front row, but the Cajun was lurking from his fifth starting spot. Both drivers put on a great show as Wright won the ASCS Gulf South event, followed by Jason in the Wilwood/FK Rod Ends #41 Maxim, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Tommy Bryant, and Michael Dupuy rounding out the top five. Jason and the JJR team will travel to Willis, Texas for tonight’s racing action at Gator Motorplex.
JJR Team Changes Plans for Memorial Day Weekend to Compete in ASCS Gulf South Triple Header
GREENVILLE, Texas (May 25, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team will stay in the state of Texas to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend by competing in the ASCS Gulf South triple header at Golden Triangle Raceway Park (Friday), Gator Motorplex (Saturday), and Speedarama Raceway (Sunday).
Johnson Earns Prime Parking Spot in Victory Lane at 67 Speedway
TEXARKANA, Arkansas (May 21, 2011) – It’s hard to find good parking at racetracks with all the rain we have been having lately. But, Jason Johnson made sure he got a good spot for the GT Bobcat/racediecast.com Maxim last night at 67 Speedway for The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star event. After finishing 3rd in his heat race, Jason lined his Don Ott powered Maxim up to the right of Gary Wright in row four to start the feature. Polesitter Michael Lang jumped out to the early lead and led the first six circuits. Claud Estes then took the point, before Johnson passed him on lap ten. Johnson would lead the rest of the way crossing the stripe first ahead of Gary Wright, Claud Estes, Matt Covington, and Blake Hahn. With the JJR crew, Jason celebrated the win in victory lane.
Mother Nature Wins Another One!
GREENVILLE, Texas (May 20, 2011) – The JJR team was prepped and ready to compete in The Oil Medics ASCS Lone Star action at Boyd Raceway on Friday night, but storms went through the area forcing the cancellation of the event. Rain has been winning more races across the country than drivers. Jason and the JJR will head to Texarkana tonight to compete in ASCS Lone Star action at 67 Speedway. Come out and catch up with the team!
A Runner-Up Finish at Texana Raceway Park for the JJR Team
EDNA, Texas (May 14, 2011) – After charging from his 7th starting spot to claim a second place finish in his heat, Jason earned the outside starting spot on the front row for the A-Main. Wasting little time, the Louisiana speed pilot took the lead at the drop of the green and led the first ten laps. Travis Rilat then seized the lead away from the Ragin’ Cajun on lap eleven with Johnson’s Performance Powder Works #41 on his tail eager to regain the point position. Johnson did just that regaining the lead 12 laps later only to get hung up behind lapped traffic in the last turn in sight of the checkered flag giving Rilat the victory with the JJR #41 Maxim coming home in the show position in the 25-lap ASCS Gulf South event at Texana Raceway Park.
Well . . . It was a Friday the 13th Type of Night for the JJR #41 Team
BEAUMONT, Texas (May 13, 2011) – If you are superstitious you expect these types of things when the 13th day falls on a Friday. Well we are not superstitious, but the gremlins traditionally associated with that day caught up with Jason Johnson and the JJR #41 Jenkins Office Equipment race team at Golden Triangle Raceway Park last night. After finishing second in his heat race, the team and driver prepped to line the #41 Maxim up from the pole position for the A-Main. Prior to the event, during fast warm ups, the front end of the car came up and when it came down it came down right on top of one of the inside safety tires surrounding the track breaking the front axle. Unable to repair the damage before the start of the feature, Jason and the JJR team will focus on recovering tonight at Texana Raceway Park in Edna, Texas.
Cajun Sensation Stays Close to Home and Takes the Win at Devil’s Bowl
MESQUITE, Texas (May 7, 2011) – When the Rock ‘N Roll 50 was postponed, the JJR #41 team decided to head to Devil’s Bowl for round one of the Red River Clash. After finishing second in his heat event, Johnson lined the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) Maxim up on the inside of row seven in the 13th starting position for the A-Main. Devil’s Bowl’s motto is “Where Fast Is Fun”, and on this night the Louisiana wheelman was going to go fast and have a lot of fun. As the green flag dropped, he was on the move in his Don Ott powered mount as he made his way into the top five by the fifth lap. He soon would take over the point from leader George White and open up a straightaway lead. From the command position, Johnson navigated through late race lap traffic and crossed the stripe for the win ahead of Matt Covington, George White, Aaron Reutzel, and Joe Wood, Jr.
Johnson and JJR #41 Team Make 2011 WoO Debut at Salina Highbanks Speedway
SALINA, Oklahoma (May 3, 2011) – Jason and the JJR team debuted with the World of Outlaws last evening at Salina Highbanks Speedway. After timing 9th quick with a lap of 13.183, Jason qualified the Law Offices of Richard Strunks #41 Maxim with a 4th place finish in the third heat race. Starting on the outside of row six for the A-Main, Jason struggled with tires throughout the event to finish 18th in the final order. Jason commented, “It was a tough night, but we’ll put it behind us and learn where we can make improvements for the next time we race with these guys.”
Cajun Invades Battleground Speedway to Capture the Flag in ASCS Gulf South Competition
HIGHLANDS, Texas (April 30, 2011) – Jason Johnson and the JJR #41 team captured the ASCS Gulf South flag at Battleground Speedway last night. After winning his heat race, Johnson powered his way around the 3/8th mile oval, from his 8th starting spot, to seize the lead away from Chris Sweeney and then distanced the field the remainder of the way. Johnson was the first one to the stripe ahead of Aaron Reutzel, Ray Allen Kulhanek, Tommy Bryant, and Jeffrey Newell.
Mother Nature Washes Out JJR’s 2011 Debut with the World of Outlaws
GREENVILLE, Texas (April 23, 2011) – Wet weather overnight in Eastern Oklahoma has forced track officials to postpone the inaugural World of Outlaws “Battle of the Highbanks” event at Salina Highbanks Speedway tonight. The rain out pushes Jason Johnson’s 2011 debut with World of Outlaw to a later date when their race schedule allows. Jason and the JJR team are looking forward to their first 410 outing with their Don Ott Racing Engine.
Louisiana Driver Brings Star Home in 5th Place at I-30 Speedway
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (April 16, 2011) – For the second night in a row, Jason Johnson raced from the rear of the field to garner a respectable finish. On this night, he used his Don Ott Racing Engine to power his way to a respectable 5th place finish in the ASCS National tour finale. After racing to a 4th place finish in his heat race, Johnson started from the pole and claimed the second of two B-Main events. In the A-Main event, the Louisiana native used a combination of patience and persistence to make his way to the front of the strong ASCS National tour field. After a competitive, but challenging weekend, Johnson commented, “Great effort by the JJR team and sponsorship partners. We were fast all weekend and overcame some adversity. I am proud of our efforts.”
Johnson Wheels #41 Maxim to an 11th Place Finish in ASCS National Action at I-30 Speedway
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (April 15, 2011) – Under overcast skies and threatening clouds, Jason Johnson and the team went back to work on the ASCS National tour at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas. He started the evening off leading his heat event only to experience motor problems and was relegated to a 7th place finish. Johnson came back strong and won the first B-Main from his 12-starting spot. He lined the beautifully prepared Law Offices of Richard Strunks’ #41 in the 17th starting spot. After dueling through the field getting his Maxim up as far as fifth he made contact with a fellow competitor and started from the rear again. He was fast all night and was able to advance forward again to finish in the 11th spot. Jason and the team will prepare for the second and final night of ASCS National tour excitement at I-30 Speedway tonight.
Ragin’ Cajun Runs Second at Speedarama Raceway to Cap Off Weekend
LUFKIN, Texas (April 2, 2011) – For the second night in a row, Jason Johnson charged his way to a top five finish. At Speedarama Raceway last night, Johnson raced from his 11th starting spot to claim the second position behind Gary Wright in the 25-lap event. The top five was #9 Gary Wright, #41 Jason Johnson, #10 George White, #88 Scottie McDonald, and #11 Jeffrey Newell.
Cajun Recovers to Finish 4th at Heart O’Texas Speedway in ASCS Regional Competition
WACO, Texas (April 1, 2011) – After capturing the victory in his heat race, Jason Johnson lined the Pope Properties #41 up on the inside of the second row. After seizing the lead on lap seven, Johnson hit a rut and spun backwards to a stop. After the crew changed the tire, Johnson hammered the loud pedal from his 20th place restart position and gave the fans some excitement as he brought the JJR Maxim all the way back to the front for a fourth place.
Johnson Brings #41 Maxim Home in 3rd Place Finish at Spring Nationals
MESQUITE, Texas (March 26, 2011) – Capping off a successful weekend, Jason Johnson finished 3rd in the 38th Annual Spring Nationals finale at Devil’s Bowl. After locking in to the main event, Johnson chased Sam Hafertepe, Jr. and Shane Stewart to the finish line.
He’s Baaack . . . In Victory Lane!!! Johnson Claims Preliminary Night Feature at Spring Nationals at Devil’s Bowl
MESQUITE, Texas (March 25, 2011) – In his first race back on U.S. soil in 2011, Johnson captured the victory in the preliminary event of the Spring Nationals at Devil’s Bowl. From his 6th place starting spot, Johnson crossed the finish line first in his Don Ott powered, Mesilla Valley Transport #41 Maxim ahead of Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Brady Bacon, Danny Lasoski, and Michael Dupuy. The racing resumes tonight at the famed 1/2 mile Devil’s Bowl oval in the Spring Nationals finale.
Jack Dover Mines Silver at Copper on Dirt Finale with 2nd Place Run in JJR #41 Maxim
TUCSON, Arizona (February 19, 2011) – Starting from the pole, Jack Dover led the first 22 laps before relinquishing the point position in the Copper on Dirt finale at USA Raceway. Dover drove the JJR #41 Maxim hard and garnered a second place finish to complete a fantastic weekend of racing!
Jack Dover Wheels JJR #41 from 18th to 4th Place Finish at USA Raceway
TUCSON, Arizona (February 18, 2011) – Jack Dover, substituting for Jason Johnson in the JJR #41 Maxim, turned in an impressive run working the low side of the track to charge from his 18th starting spot to finish fourth last night on the first night of the Copper on Dirt event at USA Raceway. He is locked into tonight’s Lucas Oil ASCS finale.
King of California Climbs to Top of Podium Aboard the JJR #41 Maxim at Kings Speedway
HANFORD, California (February 12, 2011) – Kyle Larson, the 2010 King of California, led all 30 laps last night at Kings Speedway to take the top spot on the podium with his victory. Larson hit the accelerator as the green flag waved and never looked back in the JJR/Finley Farms #41 until he crossed the start finish line for the ASCS National victory.
Kyle Larson is a Lightning Bolt at Thunderbowl Raceway With 4th Place Finish in JJR #41
TULARE, California (February 9, 2011) – The 2010 King of California, Kyle Larson, put on quite a show driving the JJR/Finley Farms #41 last evening. After getting behind early, Larson put on quite a show in the A-Main, driving from his 21st starting spot to a well deserved 4th place finish in the inaugural ASCS National event on Thunderbowl Raceway’s racy 1/3-mile clay oval.
Jason Johnson and JJR #41 Team Honored As 2010 “360 Driver and Team of the Year”
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (January 14, 2011) – Jason Johnson was voted the 2010 “Driver of the Year” by the North American 360 Sprint Car Poll voting panel of media members, promoters, sanctioning officials, and manufacturers for the third time. He also won the honors in 2006 and 2008. He received 13 of the 18 first place ballots. In addition, Jason and Bobbi Johnson’s JJR team earned “Team of the Year” honors in their first year as team owners.