EL PASO, Texas (April 28, 2016) John Carney II picked up win No. 6 on the season this past weekend, winning for the first time in the state of Missouri in the John James Racing/MVT No. 4j at the Springfield Raceway.
Finding one hiccup on the weekend, Carney found himself in the Pits early on Friday at the Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt, Kan. after contact with a slower car sent him into the wall.
“First off, I have to thank the staff at Humboldt Speedway for having us up there. That track was really nice. We were a little too tight in Hot Laps, so we freed it up for the Heat and really, we were still tight but I was able to get into the redraw and drew a seven.”
Keeping an eye on track conditions, the guessing game of setup went opposite of what the Driver/Crew Chief was expecting.
“Before the feature, they kept bringing the track packer out, so I thought it was going to slick off and come to me, but it never did so I was having to really overdrive the car to keep it turned. I think I was running fourth or fifth, and I got into a lapped car and that sent me into the wall and that broke the straps on the Jacobs Ladder. I made a few more laps after that and I knew something wasn’t right so I pulled off before I really junked my car, or someone else.”
Going over the car the following morning, the crew found very little to fix outside the busted Jacobs Ladder. Rolling into Springfield Raceway, the night was a co-sanctioned event between the ASCS Red River and Speedway Motors ASCS Warrior Region presented by Impact Signs, Awnings, and Wraps.
“Saturday, everything just seemed to fall into place. We got the car back together, which was pretty minor. I did draw a 70, which you never know how that’s going to work out,” chuckled Carney. “When we got out there, the track was slick in the center and there was a little grip on the bottom and top, and that will promote some racing.”
Making the redraw with a run from the back to third in his Heat, the crew watched closely during down time as track owner, Jerry Hoffman, reworked the racing surface during intermission.
“We ended up fifth in the redraw, and just watched what they did with the track, which I think pretty much held off the rubber. I’m glad they did that. The track was slick so we just made a few small adjustments,” said Carney.
Starting side-by-side with Blake Hahn, both drivers shot to the top on the start, allowing Carney to follow the No. 52 to the front of the field. From there, the race would be determined in slower traffic.
“I’d say I was just as fast as Blake [Hahn] in the middle of the race when he come up on the lapped car. He ran behind him a lap or two and about the time he went low, that was right about the time I got to his back bumper, and the guy he was trying to pass also went low, I guess trying to protect his position not realizing he was getting lapped, so I was able to get them both. Once I got the lead, I didn’t want to change much and stayed up top, and it seemed like the lapped cars just got out the way. Like I said, everything just sort of fell into place.
Looking to the coming weekend, plans are in the air with the team looking at running the 305cid car in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, but as of now, the weather will dictate the next move. John James and John Carney would like to give a special thanks to Royal Jones with Mesilla Valley Transportation for his support of the No. 4j team to allow them to pick and choose a variety of races across the Midwest and Southwestern United States.
For continued updates on John Carney II and the John James Racing No. 4j, fans can follow along on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=570728686284547&fref=ts.
Season So Far:
Events: 12; Wins: 6; Top 5: 9; Top 10: 9; Top 15: 10; Top 20: 11
Up Next:
TBA – We’ll see what the weather does.
2016 Results:
3/4/16 – Red River Speedway (Wichita Falls, Texas): Win (305cid)
3/5/16 - Red River Speedway (Wichita Falls, Texas): Win (305cid)
3/19/16 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, Texas): 21st (ASCS N)
3/25/16 – 81 Speedway (Park City, Kan.): 3rd (NSL360)
3/26/16 - 81 Speedway (Park City, Kan.): 12th (NSL360)
4/1/16 – SNM Speedway (Las Cruces, N.M.): Win (ASCS SW)
4/2/16 – SNM Speedway (Las Cruces, N.M.): Win (ASCS SW)
4/8/16 – Jackson Motor Speedway (Bryam, Miss.): 2nd (ASCS GS/SOS)
4/8/16 – Jackson Motor Speedway (Bryam, Miss.): 3rd (ASCS GS/SOS)
4/15/16 – Southern Oklahoma Speedway (Ardmore, Okla.): Win (305cid)
4/22/16 – Humboldt Speedway (Humboldt, Kan.): 17th (ASCS RR)
4/23/16 – Springfield Raceway (Springfield, Mo.): Win (ASCS RR/Warr.)
John Carney Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnCarneyRacing/?fref=ts
Sprint Source: http://www.sprintsource.com/profile/?r=1329&rt=driver
Sponsors:
J.C. Farm and Ranch, Mesilla Valley Transportation, Safe-T-Stepper, MSD Ignition, Top Row Rowdies, Momentum Suspension Systems, Brahman Operating, SpeedMart, Eagle Motorsports, Al Parker Racing Engines, John James Racing
- Bryan Hulbert on Apr 28, 2016
- Article Date: 4/28/2016