KJ Motorsports Update #26 Race #50

KJ Motorsports Update #26 Race #50

By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 11-06-13

Saturday we went back to Atomic Speedway in Frankie Hall’s car for the Dan Reno Memorial Race. They had 49 cars show up and we set fast time and also broke our old track record with a 15.31 lap time. This started us 6th in the fast dash. We came to 3rd before losing a driveshaft. We were able to get that fixed and started 6th in the feature. Was up to 3rd and starting to pressure for 2nd when the engine overheated and I pulled into the infield. Had a great car and had a great run going, but luck just wasn’t on our side. I want to thank Frankie for allowing me to drive his car even though he says I scare the heck out of him when I get close to the wall. LOL! Tim and I are going to the dirt track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the World Finals with Steve Balderson and Candace Hays. Steve is one of our sponsors and has been for quite a while. Our race season is officially over and I want to thank everyone who has helped with the car, everyone of our fans and also everyone of our sponsors. We will be in the garage soon, getting things ready for the 2014 season. If anyone has an interest in sponsoring us, please let me know. Once I have something noteworthy to pass on, I’ll send out an update. Until then, I’ll catch up to ya soon!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #25 Race #49

KJ Motorsports Update #25 Race #49
By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 10-28-13

Saturday we went to Atomic Speedway with Franky Hall’s ‪#‎28BX‬, where there were 32 modifieds. Coop drew us pill #35 to start us 5th in the 4th heat race. We went on to get the win to start us 4th in the feature behind Fireball Pinkerton. I made a couple of changes to the car in hopes of making it better. Instead I think I made it worse. Fireball took the early lead with Greg Oliver taking 2nd and we had 3rd and Mark Dickson was 4th. That’s how the finish was as well. The change I made, plus the body got into the right rear tire and destroyed a 1/3 of the outside tread took us out of contention for a win. But I want to thank Franky Hall (Hall’s Auto Repair) for allowing us to take his car and run it.

We are planning to return to Atomic Speedway this Saturday for the Dan Reno Memorial race paying $2,222 to win. So we hope to see you there!

This week, I want to give a shout out to Hyperco Springs. I have run them for many years in the modified division and they have always performed and have gotten us many wins. For you racers out there, contact Poske’s Performance Parts @ 304-428-5000 and get yours today! Thanks again for all of your support! I also want to wish Tim Cooper a HAPPY BIRTHDAY (10/27/13). Coop has been with me since 2003 and we have had our highs and lows in racing. But regardless he’s always been there. Hope you had a great birthday brother! Love ya and thanks for your dedication to KJM.

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #24 Race #48

KJ Motorsports Update #24 Race #48
By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 10-25-13

Well, although Mother Nature tried it’s best to dampen our weekend at the Dirt Track World Championship at Portsmouth Raceway Park, we did get to race. 95 modifieds were there and we set 3rd fastest time and our good friend Mikey McPherson set 2nd fast time. We started the pole of our heat and the outside pole setter got the early lead and we settled into 2nd. A caution came out that bunched the field back up. On the restart, the 3rd place car dove in too low and got in the slime, which turned his car right and wound up hitting us and turning us backwards and then got hit again. The car was damaged pretty good and to be honest, I really didn’t think it could be fixed in time to tack the tail of the consi. But Bobby Kitchens and I jumped in on the front suspension and several others jumped in on the back end and sure enough, we got done just in time to tack the tail of the consi in 16th. Now we all know that luck plays a role in racing, whether it’s good or bad luck. We had our bad luck in the heat race, but the consi provided us some good luck. We were running 6th with about 2 to go and they were only taking the top 3. We had 3 restarts with one lap to go and in the end, we were able to pass for 3rd on the last lap to put us in the big show. The car looked horrible, but that didn’t matter because we made it. In the feature we started 26th but before we got one lap in, we started 16th. We passed our way to 10th and were cruising along until I felt a problem with the engine and I shut it down. This DTWC weekend for the past several years has always eluded us from having a good run. We have always proven to be fast and seem to always make new fans, but I have yet to run up front in the feature. Maybe next year will be our year. I want to congratulate our friend Kevin Dulaney who stepped out of his #20 and hired Greg Oliver to drive and they went on to win the $3,000. It was definitely an exciting race to watch! I also want to thank Jarod and Noah Nichols for stopping at my garage and picking up some parts and bringing them down to us at the track! Also want to be sure and thank EVERYONE that jumped in to help get the car ready for the consi. Our KJM season is essentially done for the year, but we are taking Franky Hall’s modified to Atomic this weekend in hopes to pick up win #15 of the year. So we hope to see you there!

This week, I want to give a shout out to John Stephens of Stephens Custom Woodworks. John makes some beautiful items out of wood, from bowls, to lamps, to stands, etc. Visit him on Facebook to see what all he produces.

Thanks again for all of your support! Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #23 Race #47

Update #23 Race #47
By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 10-16-13

There were no races on Friday in our area, so Saturday morning we headed to CoughlinCars.com in Chillicothe and displayed the car for a while and went to Roosters to grab a bite to eat before heading over to the track. Atomic had over 30 modifieds on hand and Pam Lemon drew us pill #33, which Jason Gillian says is a lucky pill. We started 6th in our heat and on the 2nd lap was in 3rd. But I made a huge judgment error and got into Clint Keenan, who was driving Rob Stambaugh’s car. I cause Clint to spin and I slowed down expecting to go to the tail, but they have a no stop rule. I went on to get the win in the heat to start us 3rd in the feature. But I owe Clint and Rob an apology the next time I see them. We started 3rd in the feature and ran behind Brian Whiteman and Craig Christian for the first portion of the race. We finally squeaked by Craig and was working on Brian when Jess Hartman and Chris Stotts started showing their nose on the low side. Chris had actually took the lead on the low side of turn 4, but Brian and I both got by him at the flagstand. That prompted Brian to hold his line down just a bit in turn 2 and I shot to the outside, Brian in the middle and Chris on bottom. By the time we got to turn 3 we took the lead and Chris was 2nd and Jess soon followed for 3rd. Chris and I had a good race and we went on to get win #14 of the season. I forgot to mention that I hit the wall in the heat race which caused for some work to be done. Thankfully, Coop, Tom Lemon, Tommy Powell, Carl McPherson, Rick Hudnell, Jared Nichols & Noah Nichols all jumped in to help get it straightened back out. Thanks to all for the help!

This weekend we are leaving on Wednesday to head down to Portsmouth Raceway Park for the Dirt Track World Championship. This race pays $3,000 to the modifieds and I’d expect anywhere from 75 to 100 mods to be there. So we hope to see you there!

This week, I want to give a shout out to Hoosier Racing Tire. I have been committed to Hoosier for quite some time now and we have gotten a lot of wins on them. Thanks again for all of your support! Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!
K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #22 Race #44, #45 & #46

Race #44, #45 & #46
By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 10-7-13

Friday, 9-27-13 we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway. My niece Katie went with us and she got the honors of drawing my pill. We wound up winning the 3rd heat to start us 3rd in the feature. Andy Bond started outside pole and took the early lead and we quickly jumped into 2nd and then the race was on. Andy & I raced hard side by side as we did a few weeks back, but I could not get him to bobble, too many years of experience for that to happen. It was a great race to be in and a good one for the fans to watch Unfortunately for Andy he had a rule infraction that got him dq’ed and we were awarded the win. But that didn’t take away the race everyone got to see! It’s not often fans get to see 2 drivers go at it as hard as we were and never touch. I’m glad Andy trusts me as a racer!

Saturday, 9-28-13 we went to Skyline for the Harvest 50 where we had 50 mods on hand. We were able to set 2nd fast time to start us on the pole of heat #2. We took the win by nearly a straight a way to start us on the outside pole of the feature beside Jeremy Berwanger. Jeremy took the early lead on the bottom, while I ran the middle. I moved down to the bottom and was able to maintain, but could not put any pressure on Jeremy. Near halfway we got passed for 2nd by the #60 of Ebert and Ebert went on to pass Jeremy for the win. With less than 5 to go, I opted to move to the high side and that allowed Tyler Evans to pass us on the bottom and gave us a 4th place finish.

Friday, 10-4-13 we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway where I drew my own pill to start us 2nd in the 2nd heat. We got the win to start us on the outside pole of the feature beside Jeremy Blake. We went on to get win #13 of the year.

Saturday, 10-5-13 Mother Nature won out at Atomic Speedway where they had over 30 mods.This weekend, assuming Legendary Hilltop Speedway is closed, we will be going back to Atomic on Saturday. So we hope to see you there!

This week, I want to give a shout out to Keith Emrick at K-Graphics. Keith not only does our decal work, Keith is a great friend. If anyone needs decals work done for anything from political signs, to store front, automobile business signs, magnetic signs, real estate signs, etc. Give Keith a call at 304-428-2685 and tell him you heard about him here.

Thanks again for all of your support! Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #21 Race #43

By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 09-25-13

Friday we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway for a $1,200 to win race. They had 31 cars and we set fast time with a 14.94. This started us on the pole of heat 1 alongside Terry Hinkle. The high side was the groove to be in and although we seemed to be a tick faster than Terry, we could not make the low side work and we finished 2nd. This started us 5th in the feature and just before going out, Coop reminded me that it was 35 laps. So I just took what the track and car gave me and we ran 5th most of the race and about half way we got in lap traffic. I took advantage of the lap traffic and passed from 5th to 3rd, but caution would send us back to 5th. We did pass for 4th shortly after, but the engine was getting hot and I opted to back out some and we finished 4th. The new car is running well, we just haven’t put it in the winner’s circle yet.

Saturday, Mother Nature won out! This weekend, again we will be at Legendary Hilltop Speedway on Friday and will be at Skyline Speedway for the Harvest 50! So we hope to see you there!

This week, I want to give a shout out to Bill & Patty Welch (R.I.P.)! Although I did not know Bill & Patty personally, I displayed their names on our car, just like Brian Benson does on his sprint car, because of their son Phil Welch. Phil Welch (son) and Paula Hall (daughter) are friends of mine and we will continue to display their name to honor their parent’s memory. Thanks again for all of your support!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ

KJ Motorsports Update #20 Race #41 & #42

KJ Motorsports Update #20 Race #41 & #42

By: Kenny Johnson
Date: 09-16-13

Friday we went to Legendary Hilltop Speedway where Maddy Cooper ruined her streak of good pill draws. There were 24 cars there and she drew us the 24th spot. We started 6th in the 4th heat and with cautions falling at the right time, we managed to get the heat win to start us 4th in the feature. Front row was Andy Bond and Nick Corbitt and then Ronnie Mayle and me. On the first start, Nick jumped out front and we followed but a yellow flew before we got one lap complete. The 2nd start I pushed in turn one and again in turn 3. This opened the door for Andy Bond to move up a groove into 2nd. Andy and I raced side by side for almost the entire race. Andy got 2nd and we got 3rd, but it was a blast racing with Andy, whom I have raced against for years. It’s nice to race with someone you can trust their ability and know that if we get together it was truly an accident. 

Saturday we went to Atomic Speedway where they had 26 cars or so. Coop drew our pill this time, but he didn’t do much better than Maddy. We started 5th in the first heat and went on to get the heat win and that started us on the pole of the feature beside Rob Stambaugh. On the first start we took the early lead off of turn 2, but Rob broke a ball joint and on the next restart, Jeremy Berwanger started outside. We raced side by side til turn 4, Jeremy was able to pull into the lead. Jeremy ran the preferred line and we could only provide little pressure. But just past halfway there was a caution and I drove up on top of the cushion to see how it was. I didn’t think it was too bad and it took me a couple of laps to figure out how to maneuver the car up there and we were able to make a pass in lap traffic. But a yellow flag would come out and put us back in 2nd. With 2 to go I went to the high side again and this time Jeremy hit the cushion off of turn 2 and his car bounced sideways. I shot down off the cushion and got to the inside of Jeremy as we rubbed all the way down the back chute, Jeremy had the preferred line coming off of turn 4 and I was unable to put any real pressure on him for the last lap. It was a good race and fun for the fans, but a win sure would have been nice! This weekend, again we will be at Legendary Hilltop Speedway on Friday and Atomic Speedway! I think both nights are paying $1,200 to win. So we hope to see you there! This week, I want to give a shout out to ALL OF MY FANS! I am so blessed to have the fan base that I do. My fans share their appreciation in what I do on the track and sometimes their appreciation is greater than getting a win. Although, I’d like to get both at the same time. But their support for those nights I don’t get a win, really does mean a lot to me and I appreciate all of them! Thanks again for all of your support!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! K-Graphics, 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, T&L Consulting, Carr Auto Glass, OVDTR.com, Hall’s Auto Repair, Billy Joe & Wanda Hammett, Bill & Patty Welch, 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.

Thanks again for your support, 

KJ