The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series takes on Eldora Speedway for the 4-Crown Nationals and Berlin Raceway for the NAPA Berlin Brawl
CONCORD, N.C. - Sept. 22, 2015 - Jason Johnson entered 2015 ready to take on his first full World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season and while the year has not shaped up like he planned, Johnson remains focused on learning, growing and getting his No. 41 Priority Aviation/Mesilla Valley Transportation/Fischer Body Shop team back to victory lane.
The five-time and reigning American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Tour champion talked to the World of Outlaws about his season so far and what the future looks like for his team.
We're heading to Eldora this weekend for the 4-Crown Nationals - the last time the series was there for Kings Royal you finished second. Talk about that run.
"Probably for us the dark side of things is that we're struggling in qualifying. Qualifying seems to be hindering us all year long. One advantage of the Kings Royal is that it takes qualifying out of the equation a little bit. I don't think we qualified very well which put us on the front row of our heat race and we raced decently. We capitalized on a heat race win - I think we started sixth in the Kings Royal. To end up on the podium, we feel like we have speed, our driver just needs to learn how to qualify."
We talked in February at DIRTcar Nationals about expectations for the season. Despite being sidelined earlier in the year, it looks like you and your team have made a lot of progress.
"We definitely made progress. We set goals throughout the year that we've had to change up to the point that I got hurt. We had to change our team goals as we brought in championship winning drivers such as Jason Meyers and Sammy Swindell and trying to use them to better our team and advance us a little faster.
"When I first got back in the car it seemed like it changed things really fast. We've been actually pretty decent since I got back in the car. It's getting back to point where we're not qualifying as well. I'm not sure exactly where things are going but with the Outlaws you've got to put the whole night together and that's the biggest challenge. Right now, goal wise, we're making feature but we'd like to be a top-10 contender more often."
How helpful was it to have a driver like Sammy Swindell in the car while you were out?
"He was very generous with his knowledge. He taught us all a lot about shocks, about racecars, I mean all the way down to motor packages and aero and wings. (He maybe showed us a) different way of approaching the race track each and every night. We used to be really concentrated on our wing package and he made the point not to concentrate on aero as much because if you're not in clean air you still need the car to work well. He brought a lot to the table.
"Even Jason Meyers, we developed a friendship there. He shared a lot of thoughts and notes and concerns with us. He's helped us and is still helping us today. When we had Jamie Veal in the car driving it was like a trial period. He had a lot of success in Australia and we had a lot of fun with Jamie. We just weren't a veteran enough team to give him a good enough car night in and night out."
As we work our way through the final stretch of 2015, what are your goals to the end of the season?
"We'd definitely like to pull off a win before the end of the season. That's probably the ultimate goal at this point. I had high hopes that we were going to have three to five wins this year and it was probably going to be more realistic to win one to three races. It just hasn't fallen out that way. I think there was times where I was in captain's seat to pull off victories and have a good run and just didn't capitalize on that opportunity but we came away with a podium. It meant a lot too. These opportunities don't come along every day - you've got to keep digging and keep striving.
"As a team we're getting better, we're getting more functional as a team. A lot of the things that we didn't think about before the beginning of the season, how much travel is involved and planning and other things besides being at the racetrack. It takes a toll on you. My guys have done a great job. I'm proud of Phillip and Cole for sure. I can't thank them for all the support we've had. It's been a lot of fun."
What has been your biggest takeaway from your first season with the World of Outlaws?
"Probably for me, the hardest thing is where I came from I was always the winner. That's what you build your team on is winning. That's what keeps your guys motivated and your guys working day in and day out. That's what keep your sponsors motivated as well - wanting to be part of a winning success. One of the biggest challenges this year is not finding the winners circle and trying to keep the motivation going - from the guys every day, to answering the phone and working with the sponsors. Obviously they really want the exposure on and off the track but they also want to be successful, they want to stand in victory lane."
Have you firmed up your plans for next season yet?
"Things are looking really good for returning, making another go with the Outlaws. I'm probably more excited the following season just as much as I am for this season. A lot of things caught us off guard being out here for the rookie season, dealing with the motors and cars and wings. We got to see a lot, a lot of places new for the first time. Now that we feel like we think we know what we need next year, we need to change our program up a little bit next year. Hopefully we can come out a lot stronger and a lot more successful."
In addition to Eldora Speedway, we take on Berlin Raceway this weekend. It's a newer track for the series and a new track for you. What are your expectations for that track?
"I had a lot of first times this year. I'll take it in for what it is. That's one thing about the Outlaws - a lot of teams have been really generous with their notes and helping give us starting points on gears and where we need to be. We just need to kind of base it on where we've had success throughout the season and what the track shape is and where we've been and make the right adjustments throughout the night."
See Johnson and the rest of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series regulars take on the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway on Friday night and the dirt-covered, paved-oval of Berlin Raceway for the NAPA Berlin Brawl on Saturday night. To find out more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit http://www.WoOSprint.com.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
ELDORA SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, half-mile oval. The track record of 12.707 seconds was established by Craig Dollansky on April 13, 2002. For more event information, visit http://woosprint.com/four-crown-nationals.
PREVIOUS A FEATURE WINNERS
2015 - Donny Schatz on May 8, Donny Schatz on May 9, Shane Stewart on July 17, Shane Stewart on July 18
2014 - Shane Stewart on May 2, David Gravel on May 3, Sammy Swindell on July 11, Kerry Madsen on July 12, Joey Saldana on Sept. 19
2013 - Kerry Madsen on May 3, Daryn Pittman on May 4, Kerry Madsen on July 12, Brad Sweet on July 13
2012 - Chad Kemenah on May 4, Sammy Swindell on May 5, Joey Saldana on July 13, Sammy Swindell on July 14
2011 - Joey Saldana on May 8, Tim Shaffer on July 15, Tyler Walker on July 16, Joey Saldana on Sept. 23
2010 - Joey Saldana on May 8, Paul McMahan on May 9, Joey Saldana on July 16, Steve Kinser on July 17, Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 24
2009 - Donny Schatz on May 9, Terry McCarl on July 17, Donny Schatz on July 18, Jason Sides on Sept. 25
2008 - Craig Dollansky on April 11, Donny Schatz on May 31, Joey Saldana on July 11, Daryn Pittman on July 13, Joey Saldana on Sept. 19
2007 - Jason Meyers on April 13, Paul McMahan on June 2, Steve Kinser on July 13, Donny Schatz on July 14, Joey Saldana on Sept. 21
2006 - Sammy Swindell on April 8, Craig Dollansky on June 3, Craig Dollansky on July 14, Joey Saldana on July 15, Joey Saldana on Aug. 4
2005 - Steve Kinser on April 9, Sammy Swindell on June 4, Steve Kinser on July 15, Steve Kinser on July 16, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 5
2004 - Steve Kinser on April 10, Danny Lasoski on June 5, Dale Blaney on July 16, Jason Sides on July 17, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 6
2003 - Sammy Swindell on April 19, Steve Kinser on May 31, Steve Kinser on July 18, Steve Kinser on July 19, Jason Meyers on Aug. 8
2002 - Craig Dollansky on April 13, Steve Kinser on June 1, Daryn Pittman on July 19, Joey Saldana on July 20, Steve Kinser on Aug. 2
2001 - Mark Kinser on April 14, Andy Hillenburg on June 2, Andy Hillenburg on July 20, Mark Kinser on July 21, Steve Kinser on Aug. 3
2000 - Steve Kinser on April 22, Mark Kinser on June 3, Sammy Swindell in July 14, Dale Blaney on July 15, Tim Shaffer on Aug. 4
1999 - Tim Shaffer on June 5, Mark Kinser on July 15, Greg Hodnett on July 16, Sammy Swindell on July 17, Stevie Smith on Aug. 6
1998 - Sammy Swindell on April 11, Sammy Swindell on June 13, Jac Haudenschild on July 17, Jac Haudenschild on July 18, Jac Haudenschild on Aug. 7
1997 - Sammy Swindell on April 4, Dave Blaney on June 14, Dave Blaney on July 18, Steve Kinser on July 19, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 8
1996 - Sammy Swindell on April 5, Steve Kinser on June 15, Mark Kinser on July 19, Johnny Herrera on July 20, Mark Kinser on Aug. 9
1995 - Jac Haudenschild on April 15, Steve Kinser on June 10, Dave Blaney on Aug. 11
1994 - Kenny Jacobs on April 17, Kenny Jacobs on June 11, Dave Blaney on Aug. 12
1993 - Dave Blaney on April 18, Steve Kinser on June 12, Dave Blaney on Aug. 13
1992 - Sammy Swindell on April 12
1991 - Steve Kinser on June 7, Sammy Swindell on June 8
1990 - Steve Kinser on April 22, Steve Kinser on June 9
1989 - Jeff Swindell on April 23, Doug Wolfgang on June 10, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 5
1988 - Doug Wolfgang on April 10, Steve Kinser on Aug. 27
1987 - Steve Kinser on April 12, Steve Kinser on Aug. 8
1986 - Bobby Allen on Aug. 9
1985 - Doug Wolfgang on April 14, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 10
1984 - Ron Shuman on April 8
1983 - Brad Doty on May 22
1982 - Danny Smith on May 8, Sammy Swindell on May 9, Doug Wolfgang on June 12, Sammy Swindell on Aug. 7, Steve Kinser on Oct. 17
1981 - Sammy Swindell on May 16, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 8, Steve Kinser on Oct. 18
1980 - Sammy Swindell on April 13, Steve Kinser on May 3, Steve Kinser on May 4, Steve Kinser on May 25, Steve Kinser on July 5, Steve Kinser on Aug. 9, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 30, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 31, Steve Kinser on Oct. 19
1979 - Ron Shuman on April 15, Dub May on May 27, Steve Kinser on July 3, Sammy Swindell on July 14, Steve Kinser on Aug. 4, Doug Wolfgang on Sept. 1, Shane Carson on Oct. 21
1978 - Bobby Allen on April 16, Rick Ferkel on April 30, Steve Kinser on May 21, Rick Ferkel on July 3, Randy Ford on Aug. 3, Rick Ferkel on Aug. 4, Rick Ferkel on Aug. 5, Steve Kinser on Sept. 3, Shane Carson on Oct. 29
BERLIN RACEWAY is a 7/16-mile, paved oval that has been covered with clay for the World of Outlaws. The track record of 15.616 was established by Donny Schatz on Sept. 27, 2014. For more event information, visit http://woosprint.com/berlin-raceway.
PREVIOUS A FEATURE WINNERS
2014 - Donny Schatz on Sept. 27
DRIVER INFO
The following World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series drivers maintain websites:
Jacob Allen - Shark1s1a.com
David Gravel - DavidGravel89.com
Jason Johnson - JasonJohnsonRacing.com
Kraig Kinser - KraigKinser.com
Kerry Madsen - KenericRacing.com
Paul McMahan - PaulMcMahanRacing.com
Daryn Pittman - DarynPittman.com
Joey Saldana - JoeySaldanaRacing.com
Donny Schatz - DonnySchatz.com
Logan Schuchart - Shark1s1a.com
Jason Sides - SidesMotorsports.com
Shane Stewart - ShaneStewart.com
Brad Sweet - Bradsweetracing.com
For more driver information, visit: WoOsprint.com
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 29 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Stockton Dirt Track on March 21, Silver Dollar Speedway on March 28, Placerville Speedway on April 8, Calistoga Speedway on April 12, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 26, Eldora Speedway on May 8, Eldora Speedway on May 9, Williams Grove Speedway on May 15, Weedsport Speedway on May 17, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 22, Knoxville Raceway on June 13, Huset's Speedway on June 14, Granite City Speedway on June 17, River Cities Speedway on June 19, Dakota State Fair Speedway on June 20, Beaver Dam Raceway on June 27, Lakeside Speedway on July 1, Dodge City Raceway Park on July 4, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 11, Lebanon Valley Speedway on July 26, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 8, Knoxville Raceway on Aug. 15, River Cities Speedway on Aug. 21, Nodak Speedway on Aug. 23, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 28, Grays Harbor Raceway on Sept. 7, Cottage Grove Speedway on Sept. 9, Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 12); Shane Stewart - 9 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5, Keller Auto Speedway on April 17, Salina Highbanks Speedway on May 1, Crawford County Speedway on June 12, Eldora Speedway on July 17, Eldora Speedway on July 18, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 8, Skagit Speedway on Sept. 5, Silver Dollar Speedway on Sept. 11); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Antioch Speedway on March 29, New Egypt Speedway on May 19, Castrol Raceway on Aug. 29, Antioch Speedway on Sept. 13); Brad Sweet - 4 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 15, Calistoga Speedway on April 11, I-96 Speedway on June 25, Deer Creek Speedway on Sept. 19); Rico Abreu - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 14, Stockton Dirt Track on March 22); Dale Blaney - 2 (Attica Raceway Park on May 29, Lernerville Speedway on July 21); Paul McMahan - 2 (Perris Auto Speedway on April 18, Tri-State Speedway on May 3); Joey Saldana - 2 (Kokomo Speedway on June 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 12); Christopher Bell - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on May 2); Brian Brown - 1 (USA Raceway on March 7); Cody Darrah - 1 (Lernerville Speedway on July 21); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on July 25); Stewart Friesen - 1 (Ohsweken Speedway on July 28); Greg Hodnett - 1 (Lincoln Speedway on May 13); Tim Kaeding - 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 13); Danny Lasoski - 1 (I-80 Speedway on June 5); Kerry Madsen - 1 (Junction Motor Speedway on Aug. 18); Terry McCarl - 1 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 5); Jason Sides - 1 (Dodge City Raceway Park on July 3); Stevie Smith - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on July 25).
LISTEN LIVE: Listen live to the 'Voice of the World of Outlaws' Johnny Gibson on DIRTVision.com and the Dirt Racing Network as he calls all the action from the 4 Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway and the XXX at Berlin Raceway.
LIVE ONLINE UPDATES: Check out the Official World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series website at WoOsprint.com for live, interactive text updates of each race. It also includes driver biographies with statistics and pictures, race-by-race stats, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases.
GET SOCIAL: Follow the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, follow on Instagram at @WoOSprint or check out the latest videos on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series returns to action at Williams Grove Speedway for the Champion Racing Oil National Open on Oct. 1, 2 and 3.
- administrator on Sep 23, 2015
- Article Date: 9/23/2015