Disappointed? Yes. But our heads are held high. We didn't have the weekend we needed to have at Jacksonville Speedway to win our first Midwest Open Wheel Association championship. But we had a great Racecar all weekend. It didn't come without a lot of work though. These two pictures are just an example of the amazing family/friend operation we have. These guys worked their butts off all weekend. Without the amazing effort and dedication, this car would not have been back on the track after my crash and then all the parts failures we started to have. This car got rebuilt 3 times in 2 days. I have to thank them all from the bottom of my heart. These guys buy their own pit passes, just to come work their butts off and sweat and get dirty, and come share the same passion as I do. I personally HAVE to thank my mom and dad, Ralph and Drake Willhite, Roger Staake, Bobby Hawks, Greg Ford, Collin Jones, and Rob Heady for sharing all the sweat and tears this weekend. My chassis builder Jerry Russell for the constant help all season getting me parts, helping me fix something, or just a little pep talk I needed. Tim Engler, for his unconditional support, driving from Princeton, IN Friday to make sure my car was running top notch, and his entire family's support over the years. My fellow racer A.J Bruns, he lent me a brake rotor last night and got to where I finally had brakes. Craig Grimsley had my rig shined up and looking great. I know I'm forgetting people but without their support we could not have had this year we had.
Also, I must thank all my family, friends, and fans who came and supported me this weekend, or here on social media The amount of cheers I heard every time I got on the track this weekend was a huge boost. I couldn't ask for a better support group. It meant so much that there were so many people pulling for that 9 car to get the job done.
I cannot thank my amazing sponsors enough. Most of them are longtime supporters of my racing habits, and are the reason my team makes it up and down the road each week. They are the heroes behind the scenes, and I try to represent them as best I can. A huge thank you to CAM2 Racing?, Dave, Keri, and Barb Mason from Mason Sound; Jack Fry at Fierce Herbicide; Jay, Jeff, Don, and Pete Wessler with Wessler Bros. Agency; Matt and Lori Bradshaw with Bradshaw Custom Pumping; Gary Byers with Byers International; Doug and Marsha with Arends-Awe John Deere; Tim, Tammy, and Tally Engler from Engler Machine & Tool; Matt Hummel at Factory Kahne Indy; Bob and Cathy Hawks with Bob Hawks Autobody, Brian Matherly with Kaeding Performance, Steve Thomas Racing, JR1 Race Cars, Rider Racing Engines, and Butlerbuilt Seats.
Finally, a much needed thank you to all the people of MOWA, they have grown this series into a very special thing. To Neal Tire and Auto Service? and Casey's General Store? for helping them make that next step. Also to Neal Tire for the opportunity to race for a $10,000 sponsorship in 2016. And finally, to some of my best friends and competitors at the track each weekend, whether it be crews, drivers, or fans, thank you for making 2015 a year to remember.
Congrats to Jerrod Hull on his 5th championship, what an amazing feat, and what a great competitor. It was a pleasure racing along side each other all season long, after being a kid in the stands watching you win races just a few years ago.
-Paul Nienhiser
- Paul Nienhiser on Oct 12, 2015
- Article Date: 10/12/2015