KJ
Motorsports
Update #31
Race #:53
By Kenny Johnson
26 Oct 2008
Well this past weekend ended our 2008 season. We
raced at K-C Speedway at the Dirt Track World Championship. I wish I could
write that we ended on a good note, but I have to tell it like it is. . . . .
They had 110 modifieds and we drew pills for group qualifying. We were in group
#5 with names like Rick Aukland, Kenny Riddle, Shon Flannery & Keith
Berner. I went out to hot lap and was trying to get a good lap in without the
traffic. Going down the back chute the yellow comes out and I saw an open line
on the top. I kept the car too high and get in the slime and from there it was
over. I slammed into the yuke tires and rolled the car. Of course I made the
mistake of undoing my seat belts and that made it worse on me. They ended up
rolling me back on my wheels before I could get out. Once out, I looked things
over and saw the damage. A track worker took me back to the pits and I began
pulling parts out that would be needed. As I did that a large crowd gathered
around to see what the car looked like. The next thing I knew there was a swarm
of people gathering tools and parts and started putting the car back together
so we could make qualifying. Well it worked and we qualified 2nd fast in our
group and 8th fastest overall. They inverted the top 3 in the heat and this
started us front row outside with Riddle on the pole. Riddle pulled me slightly
on the start but I stuffed into turn one with little room on the high side and
I smacked the wall. I gathered it up and took a charge down the back chute only
to smack the wall again. Now I fell back to 4th but came racing back to 2nd and
caught Riddle and was pressuring him for the lead but I went into turn #1 too
hard and when I steered to the right the right front tire hit the frame rail
and I spun out sending us to the tail in 18th. Not exactly sure how many laps
were left, but we came from 18th to finish 9th. We were on the high side the
entire time scraping the wall nearly every lap. We started 11th in the consi
and took to the high side again and were passing for the lead near lap 8 or so.
The car was very fast and I was lovin’ it. When passing for the lead, Rick
Aukland did not know I was on the high side and he was coming up the track off
of turn 2. So I let my car go up the track and I jumped the cushion and put the
car up on the flat. The right rear loaded and unloaded the left rear and I was
wide open and I spun it out, AGAIN! I went to the tail knowing I blew my chance
again. We were making an attempt to pass some cars and a wreck happened in 3
and 4 about mid pack. I was committed to the outside and ended up getting
wedged between a car and the wall. We climbed the wall and got on top of it and
then came crashing down. At that point I figured the car was done. I got pushed
into the infield and got out and looked at the car. Realized the car did not
have any flat tires, nor did it have any broken parts. With 3 laps to go I
decided what the heck, go back out and see if a miracle could happen. Well, in
all honesty I knew better, but I gave it a try and we made it back to finish 7th.
In the end I disappointed a lot of people including myself and my crew. I was
in the show 2 different times and took myself out of it. We did get a lot of
attention from numerous race fans though. Although that doesn’t pay the bills
it does make me feel good knowing fans appreciate hard charging racing.
I’d like to thank and acknowledge those that
helped put the car back together after I rolled it. Tim Cooper, Jason Canepari,
Dad, Chad Nelson, Harley Hall, Howard Santee, AJ Huber, Mike McPherson, Jeremy
Berwanger, Todd Gorrell, Kenny Riddle, Alf Litman, Tod Frye, Allan Hamrick,
Dustin Sprouse, Ryan Stoops, Kenny Lilly, Tom Lemon, Trey Lemon, Layne Lemon. I
hope that I have not forgotten anyone. There were also several teams that came
over to offer up help and/or parts. It was a time of need and everyone came to
the rescue.
I am officially calling it a season and what a
season it was. We had 9 wins, 9 seconds & 6 thirds which are some pretty
respectable stats. We also achieved winning both the AMRA National and Road
Warrior Tour Points Championships. That makes us a 3 time Road Warrior Tour
Champion and a 2 time National Champion. As I have mentioned before, there have
been several people that have played a role in helping to obtain this
championship winning season. Tod Buckhalter of Hassy Chassis has put his faith
in me; Tim Cooper and Jason Canepari to represent Hassy Chassis by letting us
run the Hassy Chassis House car. Tim Cooper has been there all summer long and
keeps things in order and tries to keep me in line as well when I am on the
track. Jason Canepari who has provided us some good set ups and knows what
changes to make at the track. Sponsorship wise we have had help from the
following: Hassy Chassis, Racersmate, K-Graphics, Dickson Racing Shocks,
Laurita Excavating, Zemba Bros. Construction, Billy Lloyd Racing Engines,
H&S Construction, Balderson Construction, Wrisco Aluminum, Billy Joe and
Wanda Hammett & Gene’s Trailer Sales. I also need to thank Wayne Cornell
for his effort in keeping our web site maintained and user friendly.
My plans are to have a special edition car next
year for it will be my 25th year racing. I also plan to get T-shirts made this
winter to celebrate 25 years and celebrate our AMRA Championships. I will be
working with Tom & Pam Lemon in getting these shirts and they will be
selling them.
I want to take this time to mention 3 friends and
to keep them in your prayers for they are all having health issues; Greg
Schilling, Jack Shutts and Steve Armentrout.
I will send out another update once I have
something to inform you all about. Until then have a good winter and drop me a
line when you can!
Remember! To make this work, support those that
support us!
Thanks again for your support, KJ
