Defining Moment

Jason Johnson Racing Eyes Backyard Victory in the Midwest

ELDON, Mo. — There wasn’t a big enough word in the dictionary to describe how Jason Johnson Racing team owner Bobbi Johnson felt when David Gravel and the team claimed their first win of the season in March at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford, Calif.

It was the team’s first World of Outlaws win since her husband and team co-owner Jason Johnson died in a racing accident last year.

“There were tears of joy. Tears of sadness. Tears of everything, really, all mixed into one ball,” Johnson said. “I got on the dictionary and tried to find the biggest word to describe your feeling. It’s just unreal.”

The team’s feeling of joy continued two races later when Gravel won again at Arizona Speedway, and it could return this weekend. The Missouri-based team will be racing close to home at Lake Ozark Speedway on Friday, Federated Auto Parts Raceway on Saturday and Jacksonville Speedway on Sunday.

Of the three Midwest tracks, Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo., is the one Johnson has circled on the schedule with it being just eight miles from the team’s shop in Rocky Mount, Mo. A win at the speedway would be “wild and unique,” she said.

Racing close to JJR’s home, with local sponsor and fan support, doesn’t come with any added pressure to win for Gravel. Instead, he said it’s more relaxing.

“I think it makes it more enjoyable for the guys,” Gravel said. “You can drive 15 minutes and be at the shop, it’s definitely a good thing.”

Locating Jason Johnson Racing in Missouri was by design. Johnson said with the more than 90 race World of Outlaws schedule that spans the United States, there are times when teams are home only once or twice throughout the season. Being centrally located in the Midwest, Johnson said the team gets to come home about six times a year.

“It’s probably one of the best, super exciting feelings you can have on the whole tour, that you get to sleep in your own bed,” Johnson said. “We felt we picked a great location to have a race team based out of just because you get to come home, per se, and have a couple extra fun things to do.”

With the Series being off for a week, teams had an extra week of being home. Work didn’t stop though. Their focus is still on winning the next race, and even though Gravel already has two wins — one of three drivers, so far, this season with more than one win — that hasn’t changed his or JJR’s approach to the season.

“We come to win every night,” Gravel said. “Realistically that’s not possible, but you like to run the best and make the best of every night no matter where you start. I think as a team we want to consistently be in the top five.”

This season is Gravel’s first year with Jason Johnson Racing, after three years with CJB Motorsports, and Johnson couldn’t be happier with the progress of the team, so far.

“Jason (Johnson) used to say it’s so hard to win an Outlaw race,” Bobbi Johnson said. “You’re racing against the best. It’s the most elite. So, to pull off not only one victory, but two victories, in my eyes, it’s totally awesome. We had some highs and lows already this season, and then accomplished the almighty — win a race with the World of Outlaws together as a new team.”

When looking for a driver to fill Johnson’s seat in the No. 41 Sprint Car, there were a few drivers being looked at, but Bobbi Johnson said, her heart leaned toward Watertown, Conn. driver, David Gravel.

During their long hours together on the road, Johnson said she and Jason would talk about different drivers they felt were up and coming and would rise to the top of the World of Outlaws. Gravel was one of them.

“We talked a lot about his driving capabilities,” Johnson said. “When it came available that he was available, we reached out and had a meeting.”

To her, Gravel was the right fit.

“I’m very happy with the progress that we’ve made,” Gravel said, who currently sits sixth in points, 92 points behind leader Brad Sweet. “And hopefully we just keep that going.”

Same as Gravel, Johnson’s ultimate goal is to win more races. This weekend’s Midwest triple-header will be the next target. But she’s still living in the moment of seeing the No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing Sprint Car return to victory lane, not once, but twice already this season, trying to define her feelings.

“We beat some of the best out there,” she said. “I guess you can’t really describe that feeling because it’s just unreal. I guess I’m more proud that the team pulled together.”

NEWS & NOTES
• PARTY TIME AT LAKE OZARK: The night before the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series stars battle at Lake Ozark Speedway, fans have the unique opportunity to meet several of the racers from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at Fat Polly’s Pub next to The Lodge at Port Arrowhead. The event will feature live music and a chance to see some of the cars up close and meet some of the drivers. Plus, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series souvenir trailer will have all of the latest specials, too. Tickets for the race are available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.

• MULTIPLE WINS: When Logan Schuchart won Friday night at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, he became just the third driver with more than one victory this season, joining Daryn Pittman – who won the first two Features of the year – and David Gravel – who won at Keller Auto Speedway and Arizona Speedway.

• BUILDING CONSISTENCY: After scoring their first top-10 of the season at Arizona Speedway, Jacob Allen and Kraig Kinser backed up their performance with strong runs at Devil’s Bowl. Kinser scored the Quick Time of the night and finished second in his Heat race to winner Allen. Kinser then went on to win the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash and start on the pole for the Feature. He led the first three laps before Allen took the lead. Both eventually faded out of the top two spots, but remained in the top-five with Allen finishing third and Kinser fourth.

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

WHEN & WHERE
Friday, April 26, at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo. for the Battle at the Lake
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. for the Spring Classic
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 28, at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill.

ABOUT THE TRACK
Lake Ozark Speedway is a 1/3-mile, slightly-banked track.
Online – LakeOzarkSpeedway.net
Phone – (573) 418-0565

Federated Auto Parts Raceway is a 1/3-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 10.189 sec. set by Stevie Smith on March 30, 2002.
Online – FederatedAutoPartsRaceway.com
Phone – (636) 479-3219

Jacksonville Speedway is a quarter-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 11.544 sec. set by Donny Schatz on May 7, 2014.
Online – JacksonvilleSpeedway.com
Phone – (217) 207-3005

TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.

1/3-mile and 1/4-mile winners
There have been two races on a 1/3-mile track, so far, this year. Ian Madsen won at Thunderbowl Raceway on March 9 and David Gravel won at Arizona Speedway on April 6.

There has been one race on a 1/4-mile track so far this year. Carson Macedo won at Silver Dollar Speedway on March 15.

LAKE OZARK SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Donny Schatz
2007 – Craig Dollansky
2005 – Tim Shaffer

FEDERATED AUTO PARTS RACEWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Daryn Pittman on April 21, Rico Abreu on August 3, Logan Schuchart on August 4
2017 – Daryn Pittman on Aug. 4
2016 – David Gravel on Aug. 5, Rico Abreu on Aug. 6
2015 – Christopher Bell on May 2, Donny Schatz on Aug. 7, Shane Stewart on Aug. 8
2014 – Sammy Swindell on April 26, Paul McMahan on Aug. 1, Kerry Madsen on Aug. 2
2013 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 3
2012 – Craig Dollansky on Oct. 13, Jason Sides on Oct. 13
2011 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 5
2010 – Joey Saldana on April 17, Tim Shaffer on Aug. 6, Jason Meyers on Aug. 7
2009 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 7, Joey Saldana on Aug. 8
2008 – Jason Meyers on April 5
2007 – Joey Saldana on July 7
2006 – Donny Schatz on April 1, Brooke Tatnell on July 8
2005 – Kraig Kinser on April 2, Chad Kemenah on July 8
2004 – Craig Dollansky on April 17, Danny Lasoski on Aug. 7
2003 – Steve Kinser on April 12, Tyler Walker on July 12
2002 – Jac Haudenschild on March 30, Daryn Pittman on July 13
2001 – Randy Hannagan on March 24, Stevie Smith on July 14
2000 – Jac Haudenschild on July 22
1999 – Jac Haudenschild on July 24
1998 – Stevie Smith on July 25, Andy Hillenburg on Oct. 10
1997 – Mark Kinser on May 18, Sammy Swindell on Oct. 11
1996 – Mark Kinser on June 12
1992 – Steve Kinser on June 10
1991 – Sammy Swindell on May 4
1990 – Sammy Swindell on April 14
1989 – Doug Wolfgang on April 15, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 11
1988 – Steve Kinser on April 23
1987 – Brad Doty on April 22, Steve Kinser on Sept. 25

JACKSONVILLE SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2016 – Joey Saldana on May 4
2014 – Christopher Bell on May 7

ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint – @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision – @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision

DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17

AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will next race on Friday, May 3, at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark. and on Saturday, May 4, at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.

2019 STATS
There have been 12 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.

FEATURE WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 2
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1

DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 6
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 5
3 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 4
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 3
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 3
5 – Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 2
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 2
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 2
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
6 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
– Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1

DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (10 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
— Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
2 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (10 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
– Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn. – 1

C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1

PODIUM FINISHES (16 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 6
2 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 4
3 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 3
— David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 3
4 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
– Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 2
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 2
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1

HARD CHARGER AWARD (11 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, Mo. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Ind. – 1

TOTAL LAPS LED (14 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1– Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 53
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 37
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 32
– Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 32
4 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 31
5 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 30
6 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 29
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 29
7 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
8 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
9 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
10 – Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 10
11 – Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 3

QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1

FASTEST IN PRACTICE (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – # of times fastest
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Australia – 3 (Two sets of Hot Laps at Arizona Speedway)
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
3 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1

2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
14. Friday, March 29 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, Calif. / David Gravel (1)
15. Saturday, March 30 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, Calif. / Aaron Reutzel (1)
16. Friday, April 5 / USA Raceway / Tucson, Ariz. / Brad Sweet (1)
17. Saturday, April 6 / Arizona Speedway / Queen Creek, Ariz. / David Gravel (2)
18. Friday, April 12 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, Texas / Logan Schuchart (2)
19. Saturday April 13 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, Texas / Rainout-Canceled

2019 World of Outlaws Championship Top 10 (Through Devil’s Bowl Speedway)

The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.

Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.

Sources: Nick Graziano, World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series PR