Double-Duty Weekend At Winchester A Success For Jake Griffin; Owosso Speedway Next; Two Top 10 Finishes at the Legendary High-Banks has Prairie State Teenager Confident
Quincy, Illinois (Friday, September 6, 2013): After becoming the youngest driver in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series history to Win a Feature back on August 17th at 14 years old, Jake Griffin celebrated his feat by doing some ‘double-duty’ at the fast 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval of Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana on Sunday-Monday, September 1-2nd as he’ll compete in the World Stock Car Festival in both the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour 100 lapper on Sunday and then the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS 100-lap main on Monday afternoon.
In the Prairie State teenagers efforts to keep turning laps and getting valuable seat time at a wide variety of tracks in 2013, Griffin’s weekend at Winchester was deemed a success as he finished seventh in the JEGS/CRA race on Sunday and then on Monday in only his second career ARCA/CRA start, he earned the series’ Hard-Charger Award with his 20th to 10th place run. Two top 10s at one of the most famed tracks in the country coming off his historic win in the Show-Me State has Griffin riding high with confidence.
“Winchester this past weekend was really good, my first time there I didn’t know what to expect. We tested and had some steering issues, then Saturday’s practice got rained out. But the crate car was really good right out of the trailer,” The Quincy, Illinois driver explained. “We made a couple adjustments on it and we were good to go for the race. Went into the Super practice after we replaced the Power Steering pump and the Steering rack and some other things.” He added.
In Qualifying, Griffin timed in 10th quick for the JEGS/CRA race while he continued to fight steering issues with his ARCA/CRA car and would start scratch on the field the next day. In the JEGS/CRA race, after starting from the outside of the fifth row. “First couple laps in the crate we knew we were going to be a little off, but by the middle of the race it kept getting better and better.” He continued.
“I got stuck behind a slower car and about got lapped, the leaders were right on my bumper and I probably should have gotten down but I knew that if I got around this guy the leaders wouldn’t be able to pass me, and that’s exactly how it played out,” He added. After getting around the slower car, Griffin was able to escape the leaders and avoid going a lap down to finish in seventh.
The next day, despite on-going steering problems, the team worked throughout the morning on the car and found the issue and would start on the outside of the 10th row. “We checked everything. We knew we had too, Winchester is so fast and so banked that when your car goes into the corner the frame flexes and when my frame would flex it would go down and hit the piece of lead sitting under the steering shaft. Which would lock my steering wheel up. So we got the five laps before the race to tune on our car.” Griffin continued.
“The car was pretty good in those few laps, so we changed a couple of small things and raced it. Came all the way from the back to a top 10. What an awesome run and I can’t thank both of the teams enough for never giving up on the super and getting the crate car dialed in.” He stated.
Up next for Griffin, is the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race; the 3rd annual Big ‘O’ Classic 100 Presented by JEGS.com at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan. Another track that Griffin has yet to lay eyes on. “Never have been there before and we only get a couple of practice sessions but I think we will be good. SNR (Scott Neal Racing) is crewing the car so it’s going to be really good.” He ended.
Heading into the Owosso race, Griffin remains second in the chase for the 2013 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in JEGS/CRA as he sits 55 markers back of fellow freshman Corey Deuser. In addition, Griffin is also now tied for fifth overall in the points with Jerrod Foley. In 10 total JEGS/CRA events, Griffin has one top five finish, which was a podium showing of third at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana back on June 22nd. He also has five top 10 showings as well.
For the remainder of the 2013 racing season, Griffin’s fleet of machines, whether it’s the JEGS/CRA car, the ARCA/CRA entry or the UMP DIRTcar Modified will carry the #08 and sponsorship decals from Sun Drop Soda as well as Phantom Racing Gear, Central Metals Recycling, McPikes Pawn Shop, McGunegill Engine Performance, Powdercoat Plus, Green Smart Builders, Microtel Inns and Suites, Big Muddy Towing and Recovery and M.P.H. Promotions
For more information about Jake Griffin Racing and to also inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the remainder of the 2013 campaign, log on to the teams’ website at: www.jakegriffin.net You can also follow Jake Griffin Racing on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/jake.griffinracing and on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/jakegriffin08