Sunday, April 20, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #7 Race #7 & #8
Update #7
Race #7 & #8
04/20/14
Friday we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway, where we qualified 2nd fast behind Roy Roush. That started us on the pole of heat #2 in which we won and that started us on the outside pole of the feature alongside Roy Roush. We took the early lead and held of charges from Booger Garnes and Roy Roush to get win #3 on the year. This was dad’s first outing of the year and I believe he had a good night getting to see everyone and seeing us win!
Since we won on Friday, we opted to go to the other Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, OH for $3,000 to win Renegade of Dirt show. They had 31 cars and we were 3rd fast time in our group. We started outside pole of heat #3 and went on to get the win. We also redrew pill #2 to start us on the outside pole. The track was very slick and we changed things all night long to try and get the car better. But at the end of the feature we finished a respectable 4th place. Competition was pretty tough and saw competitors from 6 different states. We have more work to do to make the car better in the slick. Due to work schedule, this was the first race Coop has missed in a long time and he sure was missed. But also want to thank Danny Sweet for his help and also apologize to Chad for the miscommunication and him missing the ride to Millersburg.
This weekend we plan to go to Legendary Hilltop Speedway for $1,000 to win on Friday and Atomic Speedway on Saturday. Hope to see you all there!
I want to give a shout out this week to Coughlin Cars. Com. If you are looking for a new or used vehicle, go to www.coughlincars.com of Chillicothe and if they don’t have what you are looking for, they will help you find what you need. They have 8 locations to serve you. Stop in and tell them you saw their name on our racecar!
As a reminder, I have placed an order for T-shirts ($20) and they are working on the artwork. If you want to be assured of getting your size, e-mail me at iamraicng@yahoo.com with your quantity and sizes. I’ll be sharing the artwork, once it is finalized. Thanks for your support
Remember, to make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Racers Edge Supplements, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community Baptist Church, Iglesia Bautista Jehova Yireh, Willy’s Carburetor’s, KSE Pumps, KRC.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #6 Race #5 & #6
KJ Motorsports Update #6 Race #5 & #6
04/13/14
We kicked of our weekend early by going to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (PPMS) on Thursday night in the Hall’s Auto Repair and Fleet Service car. They had 16 cars and some pretty tough iron. We were 3rd fast in our group to start us 3rd in our heat. We finished 3rd and was no real threat to contend for 2nd. Due to the order of the events being changed, we were limited on time to make some changes. We got a couple of little changes done before the feature and started 5th and dropped back to 9th or so and worked out way back up to 6th, before a car spun in front of us and collected us in his spin to send us to the tail. We managed to come back to a 7th place finish. I was disappointed with that, but felt we have a car that will be competitive, but will need to make some set up changes.
Friday’s races were rained out, so we got ready to go to Atomic on Saturday night. They had 17 cars and Coop drew us pill #15 to start us on the outside pole of heat #2. We went on to get the win and that started us on the outside pole of the feature beside Rick Hensley. It took us 3 starts before having to go single file. Then, we still didn’t get a lap in before another caution. We finally got going and we pulled away slightly. I tried different lines and bobbled slightly a few times and that allowed Fireball Pinkerton to gain on us and pass us around lap 9. From then on I was unable to pressure him and was holding off the challenges of Tanner Wilson to finish 2nd. Unfortunately we got the body tore up AGAIN. . . I love doing aluminum work and building bodies, but to be honest, I’m sick of it right now! LOL. Oh well, it’s all part of racing and we’ll be back doing it again this coming weekend.
This weekend we plan to go to Legendary Hilltop Speedway on Friday and Atomic Speedway on Saturday. Hope to see you all there!
I want to give a shout out this week to Frankie Hall of Hall’s Auto Repair and Fleet Service. Frankie has been a good friend over the years and has been servicing my vehicles, in which the way I run them is a full time job in itself. LOL Frankie also has given me an opportunity a couple of times to drive his cars. The first time was one of his brand new Pure Stocks in which I did finish 2nd, but the car was totaled. Although I can’t truly take credit for it being totaled, the story gets told that I totaled his brand new car. LOL He currently has a Shaw by Landers modified that he has allowed me to decal it up like ours and has given us free reign to run it whenever we choose to. At some point in time, he will get in it a time or two as well. So thanks to Frankie Hall and if anyone needs there personal vehicle or if you have a business that need your vehicles serviced, get a hold of Frankie and he and his guys will take care of ya! As a reminder, I have placed an order for T-shirts ($20) and they are working on the artwork. If you want to be assured of getting your size, e-mail me at iamraicng@yahoo.com with your quantity and sizes. I’ll be sharing the artwork, once it is finalized.
Thanks for your supportRemember, to make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community Baptist Church, Iglesia Bautista Jehova Yireh, Willy’s Carburetor’s, KSE Pumps, KRC.
KJ
www.kjmotorsports.net
Monday, April 7, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #5 Race #4
KJ Motorsports Update #5 Race #4
Friday we didn’t get to go anywhere, for Mother Nature won again! Saturday, all local AMRA tracks had cancelled and there were just a few options available and we chose to head on up to Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, OH. It had been since 2011 since we raced up there. We set 3rd fast time and started on the outside pole of heat #1. On the first start I took the lead off of turn 2, but a caution would come out. On the 2nd restart, I was the caution, for I over drove it in turn 1 and spun out. Went to 7th and wound up finishing 4th. This started us 7th in the feature and I decided to make a change to see if the car would perform differently. The first few laps I was stuck on the bottom, but once I got to the top, we started picking off the positions all the way up to 2nd. The leader, Tanner Wilson had almost a straight-a-way lead and we were slowly closing the gap. But a caution came out and bunched us together. A lap later we passed for the lead, but as we came up on a lap car, he looped it in turn 3 and I really thought that both mine and his would be totaled. But I somehow managed to hit the wall and that slowed me down and kept me just short of hitting him. Although we had some pretty good damage, I was able to continue and we held off the challengers of Booger Garnes and Jesse Wisecarver to get win #2 of the season. But, this is the 3rd week in a row that I have lots of sheet metal work, fun, fun! It will also be the 3rd week in a row that Keith Emrick at K-Graphics will have to make decals!
This week we plan to go to Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Pittsburgh, PA on Thursday for a $1,000 to win NDRL show. We will be taking Frankie Hall’s modified. Then on Friday we will be at Legendary Hilltop Speedway and Atomic Speedway on Saturday. Hope to see you all there!
I want to give a shout out this week to Keith Emrick of K-Graphics. Keith has been with me since the Cooper Signs days, then he made it his business in 1999 and has supported me ever since. He’s a great friend and a great sponsor. Give Keith a call at 304-428-2685 for any sign needs and mention you heard about him from KJ Motorsports. As a reminder, I have placed an order for T-shirts ($20) and they are working on the artwork. If you want to be assured of getting your size, e-mail me at iamraicng@yahoo.com with your quantity and sizes. I’ll be sharing the artwork, once it is finalized.
Thanks for your support Remember, to make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community
Monday, March 31, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #4 Race #3
KJ Motorsports Update #4 Race #3
03/30/14
Friday we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway where a big crowd showed up again and also 16 mods were on hand. Coop did the honors with the pill draw and drew #17 to start us on the pole of the 3rd heat. We took the lead and went on to get the heat win to start us 3rd in the feature. Tom Sigler took the early lead with Travis Dickson in 2nd and Dave McWilliams in 3rd and us in 4th. We raced Dave for several laps and finally made the pass. Then we tried to run down Travis, but weren't making much progress. A couple of yellows came out but we couldn’t capitalize on it. As the race went on Nick Corbitt ran the low side and slowly crept up on us and got us at the line, so we finished 4th. The car drove good, but just wasn’t getting the traction it needed. We’ll figure it out for next week though.
Mother Nature won out on Saturday. I’ll be glad when Spring is really here!!!! Next week we plan to go to Legendary Hilltop Speedway on Friday and Atomic Speedway on Saturday. Hope to see you all there!
I want to give a shout out to Joe Schilling of JS Enterprises. Joe and his family are longtime friends and his support is very much appreciated. If you are in need of new construction or remodeling from houses to garages, to barns, etc., then give Joe a call for a quote or any special offers he may be able to provide you if you mention KJ Motorsports.
Remember, to make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community Baptist Church, Iglesia Bautista Jehova Yireh, Willy’s Carburetor’s, KSE Pumps, KRC.
KJ
www.kjmotorsports.net
Monday, March 24, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #3 Race #1 & #2
Kenny Johnsonn
03/23/14
Friday we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway where a big crowd showed up, but only 14 mods were on hand. I had a newbie draw my pill and she drew #45. Diane, as Donald Trump would say, “you’re fired!” LOL. We started 7th in our heat and finished 2nd & this started us 3rd in the feature. This track can be close racing with some door rubbing and I’ve been on both sides just like everyone else. With 3 to go in the feature, we took the lead and pulled away with win #1 of the year!
Saturday we headed to Atomic Speedway and again, they only had 14 cars. This time, I had to fire myself, for I drew the worst pill of #50. So again we started 7th in our heat. The track was smooth, but a little slick and at the start of the race I picked the wrong line and got held up. But I finally got some open race track and slowly picked off a position at a time until we made it to 2nd and Jes Hartman was leading. I reeled him in and he bobbled off of turn 2 and we passed for the lead and the heat win. Now Atomic does a pill redraw after the heat and I drew #3 to start us 3rd. We made a couple of little changes for the feature that proved to improve the car, but our right rear tire faded on us and we finished 2nd to Dave McWilliams. So a 1 – 2 start to the season isn’t too bad.
I want to give a shout out to Jeff Schilling of Schilling Truss & Building Materials. Jeff and his family is a longtime friend and his support is very much appreciated. Please take a moment and go to www.schillingtruss.com and look around and then give Jeff a call for a quote or any special offers he may be able to provide you if you mention KJ Motorsports.
Remember, to make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community Baptist Church, Iglesia Bautista Jehova Yireh, Willy’s Carburetor’s, KSE Pumps, KRC.
Monday, March 10, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #2
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Casey’s Landscaping, LLC, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero
Thursday, January 2, 2014
KJ Motorsports Update #1
2014 Season – 30th Year of Racing
01/02/14 WOW, it does not seem possible that this will be my 30th season as a driver. You know, the last season my dad raced his own car, he was 38 years old and it was his 10th season. Knowing that racing means as much to him as it does me, it shows how much I meant to him. For him to give up his racing for me to start mine. There are no words that I can provide to give him the praise he deserves as a father! Thanks Dad, love ya!
Mom put her time in at the tracks as well, but when she got her fill of it. She never tried to slow dad or me down from doing what we love to do. Although Parkinson’s has slowed down Dad’s attendance at the races, it hasn’t slowed down his passion for it. Mom stays active on Facebook updates and still supports me in everything I do. My sister, Tammy Jo, also supported me throughout her younger years until she started her own family. She was a die hard for sure!
I’m 45 years old now and feel like I have many more years left or at least I hope so. Here’s a recap of the first 29 years. . .
1985 – Doll Bros Chassis, 69 Camaro weighed 3275# and had a 355 c.i.. Formerly driven by Earl Hill, then was the “HOTDOG” car owned by Jr. Simmons. Dad paid $810 for the car minus the engine. Ran Hobby Stock/Semi-late.
1986 – Purchased a Tom Pistone Chassis, Dad purchased it from Roy Johnson. Not sure what year chassis it was, but it was still old, but more up to date than the Doll Chassis. Ran Hobby Stock/Semi-late. Donnie Allison drove the car at WVMS for NASCAR night and the engine blew up.
1987 – Ran the Pistone chassis for another year. Tom Willoughby supplied me an engine. Ran Hobby Stock/Semi-late.
1988 – Dad bought a 4th design Howe Chassis from Buddy and Mark Myers and Shirley Paul supplied an engine for it. Ran Hobby Stock/Semi-late.
1989 – Purchased a 1987 Mastersbilt chassis (formerly Harold Redman’s) along with another complete car. Sold the other car and kept the engine (formerly Larry Holmes) and bought pieces needed to complete the Mastersbilt. Ran Semi-late.
1990 – Ran the same Mastersbilt, but moved up to Late Model. Still ran the same 406 c.i. steel block engine.
1991 – Went to CJ Rayburn’s and bought a re-clipped cantilever suspension chassis. Near the end of that season, we bought an all-aluminum engine from Mark French.
1992 – The year of the fire at dad’s garage just 2 weeks before the mall show. Buzzy Holliday and several other people jumped in and rebuilt the car in time for the mall show.
1993 – Bought my first brand new racecar from Audie Swartz and it was a leaf spring car. Wayne McPeek rebuilt the aluminum engine. Totaled the car 3 different times and Audie fixed every time and we never missed a weekend of racing. I was nicknamed “Test Dummy for Audie Swartz”. I won my very first feature at Ohio Valley Speedway. I’ll never forget my first win!
1994 – Ran the same 1993 Swartz chassis but sold it before the season ended to Greg Mitchell.
1995 – Bought a brand new Swartz 4-bar car and powered by a McPeek Racing Engine. We won the Track Championship at Ohio Valley Speedway just barely over the late Bill Childers.
1996 – Ran the same 1995 car. I had to run a steel block for a while until I came up with an aluminum block.
1997 – Bought a brand new Swartz racecar and kept my old one. Won the Topless 50 at Tyler County Speedway! As it turns out I needed the backup car, for I rolled the primary car at Ohio Valley Speedway. I ran the backup car the remaining part of the season.
1998 – Ran the 1997 car and also freshened up the 1995 car as a backup. At the end of the 1998 season, I made the hardest decision I had ever made and that was to quit. I sold everything but the engine.
1999 – Was supposed to drive Gene Casto’s modified at Skyline opening night, but they did not make it and Tommy Powell put me in his modified. Drove his modified off and on and I also drove Jr. Simmons #16 late model quite a bit that season as well.
2000 – Tommy Powell and his dad Tom Powell had bought a brand new Throw’n Dirt and Shirley Paul Keffer supplied the engine. We went on to win 24 features and the AMRA International Points Championship.
2001 – Drove the same 2000 chassis and won the AMRA Road Warrior Tour Points Championship.
2002 – Tommy and I put 2 cars together, both identical. Shirley Paul Keffer’s engine failed about mid-season and I finished out the season in Tommy’s car. 2003 – Came out in my own modified and brought back my original number 38. That lasted until late May when I literally tore the car in two. Throw’n Dirt supplied me with a car they had and I ran it for a while, Ran Tommy’s car a couple of times and then finished out the season in Gene Casto’s car. Wayne McPeek did my engine and I raced 57 times this season. This was the season that Tim Cooper started helping me.
2004 – Bought a brand new Throw’n Dirt and won the AMRA Road Warrior Tour Points Championship. Engine was built by Billy Lloyd.
2005 – Bought a brand new Throw’n Dirt and engine was by Billy Lloyd.
2006 – I teamed up with Tod Buckhalter & Hassy Chassis. I had my own Hassy and I also drove the Hassy House Car. Mid-year John Cornell bought a complete late model from Mike Balzano and he asked me to drive it. I drove both classes the remaining part of the year.
2007 – I committed myself to John Cornell’s late model and had given the Hassy ride up. By late May, I gave up the late model ride (my decision) due to low performance. Fortunately Hassy stepped in and gave me a car to race the rest of the year. We finished 2nd (by a half a car length) to Steve Arpin in the Harley Race at Brushcreek.
2008 – Ran for Hassy Chassis and at the end of the season, it came down to the wire for the AMRA National Points and AMRA Road Warrior Tour Points, in which we won both in the same year.
2009 – Came out with a brand new Hassy Chassis and at mid-year, stepped down from the ride and drove Louie Krushansky’s backup car for a few weeks, then worked out a deal with arch rival Jr. Nolan to run a 2009 Shaw.
2010 – Ran the 2 Brothers Motorsports 2009 Shaw and won 17 features and the AMRA National Points and also the Skyline Speedway Track championship. 2011 – Got a brand new 2011 Shaw chassis and again won 17 features and the AMRA National Points.
2012 – Ran the same 2011 Shaw and won 21 features and the AMRA National Points and the AMRA Road Warrior Tour Points and also won the Jackson County Speedway Track Points too. The only way we won the track points was because Sean Schobelock gave us his car to run when ours broke in hot laps.
2013 – Ran the same 2011 Shaw Chassis until Labor Day weekend, when I totaled the car. We had bought a new 2013 Shaw Chassis and it was just setting there. So we put it together and finished out the year, except the last 2 races and we drove Frankie Hall’s modified. 2014 – We’ll just have to wait and see what this year brings us!!!!!!!!!!
Throughout those seasons, I was privileged to drive some other peoples cars such as, Tommy Powell’s, Gene Casto’s, Jason Canepari’s, John Cornell’s, Kevin & Kenny Rogers, Larry Jarrett’s, Ed Watson’s, Jr. Nolan, Tod Buckhalter’s, Jamey Adams, Kenny Riddle’s, Jim Helterbran’s, David Landman’s, Louie Krushansky’s, Buckwheat Shutt’s, Frankie Hall’s, Sean Schobelock’s, Ken Patrick’s, PJ Chamber’s, Toad Fordyce’s, and Randy Henderhan’s. Not certain if I had forgotten anyone’s or not, but if I did I apologize. Also can’t forget those that have helped me out over the years in many different ways! I’ll apologize in advance if I have forgotten someone. Dave Nestor, John Markle, John Barker (RIP), Dave Hilton, Ron Sury, Robert Gerlach, Buzzy Holliday, Steve Davis, Steve Armentrout, Shirley Paul Keffer, Tom Willoughby (RIP), Bill Shortridge (RIP) Brian Fox, Jeremy Detamore, Brian Wright, Fred & Lee Bonnett, Chris Stull, Mike “Bubba” Whited (RIP), Keith Emrick, John Carvillano, Tod Buckhalter, Gene Casto, Jimmy Simmons, Tommy Powell, Shane Thomas, Tom Powell, Wayne McPeek, Allen Siers, Andrew Siers, Kevin Farrar, Wes & Sharon Washington, John Cornell, Wayne Cornell, Steve Leist, Tom & Pam Lemon, Todd Lambiotte, Chad Nelson, Tim Cooper (been with me now for 10 years) and many others that have jumped in at the spur of the moment when I have crashed to help put the car back together. Too many to name has helped me out in that way and although you wasn’t named, your help was and is greatly appreciated!
I have to give a special thanks to my fans. I know I can’t be liked by everyone, but the fans I have are some of the best. It’s their support that makes racing very gratifying. I appreciate you all for your support and cheers. Over the past 29 years, I have raced at 45 different tracks and have won features at 22 of those race tracks. I have accumulated nearly 175 feature wins; with the first feature win not happening until 1993 and prior to 2000, I only had 12 wins. So the majority of my wins have been in the modified division. We have collected 5 AMRA National Points Championships and 4 AMRA Road Warrior Tour Points Championships. I have 4 Track Championships under my belt as well.
I’m excited for the 2014 season and looking forward to another competitive year! I plan to have new racing shirts this year and Coop will be posting info. on Facebook in the next few months. I currently have Frankie Hall’s modified done; Tommy Powell’s mod is in progress and will start on Frankie Hall’s late model next week and Johnny Powell’s hot mod in Feb. sometime. Our car will be worked on in between jobs. Also excited about a newly designed website being created Jenni Cook, and will be unveiled in the next few weeks. Keep checking www.kjmotorsports.net for updates.
Sponsors for 2014 are not finalized as of yet, but below is the list of supporters we have and can’t do this without them. If anyone needs anything from any of my sponsors, please contact me or them and we will get you what you need.
Remember, to make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, Hall’s Auto Repair, Schilling Truss, JS Enterprises, Zemba Bros., Coughlincars.com, Steve Balderson Construction, Sheet Metal Local 33, Octane Race Products, Poske’s Performance Parts, Out-Pace Race Products, Hypercoils, Tom & Pam Lemon, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch (RIP), Keyser Mfg., Shaw Race Cars, TSM Enhanced, Bazell Race Fuels, Hoosier, Aero Wheels, Wrisco Aluminum, Lubeck Community Baptist Church, Iglesia Bautista Jehova Yireh, Willy’s Carburetor’s, KSE Pumps, KRC.