(Photo by Tylan Porath Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – BRANDON, S.D. (June 13, 2023) – Kaleb Johnson highlighted a four-race week by making a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series main event for the second time in his career.
Johnson timed in 11th quickest in his group before advancing from sixth to fourth place in a heat race last Saturday during the finale of a doubleheader at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. He capped the night by placing 18th in the feature – a career-best run with ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt.’
“I don’t have many laps racing against those guys and it was cool to make the show in a different car with a family that is close to me,” he said of piloting an entry for TKS Motorsports during the World of Outlaws doubleheader. “I was learning the most I could in those 25 laps, which will help me down the road. I had some good laps and some laps that weren’t so good. And those were when I’d lose a spot or two. Consistency is the main thing when you race with those guys.”
The busy week began a week ago Tuesday with a High Limit Sprint Car Series event at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Neb., where Johnson qualified 16th quickest in his group, placed eighth in a heat race and gained a spot in the B Main to end 12th.
Three nights later, he made his debut with TKS Motorsports at Knoxville Raceway, where qualifying 15th quickest in his group hampered the remainder of the night. Johnson finished ninth in a heat race and 15th in the Last Chance Showdown.
“If you don’t qualify well it makes it so tough because you’re buried in the back of a heat race,” he said. “With that level of competition you’re behind the eight ball the rest of the night.”
The weekend concluded on Sunday at Huset’s Speedway, where Johnson qualified 13th quickest before finishing fifth in a heat race. He was slated to line up 10th in the main event, but was unable to start the race because of mechanical woes.
The Border Battle, which features races this Friday at Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn.; Saturday at Knoxville Raceway; and Sunday at Huset’s Speedway, is up next. Friday’s main event is named in honor of Johnson’s grandfather – Merle Johnson – who recently passed away.
“Friday is a big night for not only me, but my entire family,” he said. “My grandpa did a lot for me in my racing career. I wouldn’t say the expectations are higher than normal, but I’m hopeful we can get a good finish in honor of him. The main thing is qualifying. You have to get a good lap in and hope the rest of the night can go smooth from there.”
QUICK RESULTS –
June 6 – Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Neb. – Qualifying: 16; Heat race: 8 (8); B Main: 11 (12).
June 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 15; Heat race: 9 (8); B Main: 15 (13).
June 10 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 11; Heat race: 4 (6); Feature: 18 (13).
June 11 – Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D. – Qualifying: 13; Heat race: 5 (5); Feature: DNS (10).
SEASON STATS –
18 races, 0 wins, 4 top fives, 7 top 10s, 7 top 15s, 9 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn.; Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa; and Sunday at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, S.D., for The Border Battle
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.kalebjohnsonracing.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kaleb___Johnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KalebJohnsonRacing22
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Turn 2 Lodge
“Rex Potter approached me over the winter,” Johnson said. “It was pretty cool to have someone like him want to support us and reach out. We’re thrilled to have Turn 2 Lodge as part of our team.”
Johnson would like to thank Merle Johnson Farm Toys, Oddson Underground, Inc., Folkens Brothers Trucking, Joel Pingeon Trucking, Blondie Motorsports, Construction Products & Consultants, GRP Motorsports, Innovative Design/Sletten Properties, Turn 2 Lodge, Cressman Sanitation, Hohn Palmer LLC, State Bank of Fairmont, AB Custom Construction, Specialized Caulking Sealants, The Minnesota Mafia, Guaranteed Rate-Mike Brudigan Home Loans, The Ron Weber Team, David Kramer Drywall, Big Al’s Diecast, Heartland Properties, Dave’s Lawn Care & Landscaping, TL Racing, Hepfner Racing Products, TJ Forged Wheels, Howe Motorsports, Moyle Racing Engines, Kistler Racing Engines, Forged in Dirt and Team DGRD for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
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- Shawn Miller on Jun 13, 2023
- Article Date: 6/13/2023 by Inside Line Promotions