7/2/2019
Inside Line Promotions
Kaleb Johnson Nabs Runner-Up Result in Defense of Jackson Nationals Title
(Photo by Speedway Shots)
Inside Line Promotions – JACKSON, Minn. (July 2, 2019) – Kaleb Johnson wrapped up a solid weekend at the 41st annual AGCO Jackson Nationals with a runner-up result in Saturday night’s 305 sprint car finale.
Johnson fell just a few car lengths short of defending his Jackson Nationals title after earning top-five finishes during preliminary features on Thursday and Friday.
“Overall, it went pretty well, especially the final night,” said Johnson, who advanced his position in each of the five races he competed in during the three-night event. “We would have loved to win it again. We did our best and were able to make it kind of close and contend for the lead for a bit. I was extremely proud of my team for all their hard work, especially in the heat.”
Johnson accomplished his primary goal following the first two nights of racing by being in the top six in points, making him eligible for the redraw to determine Saturday night’s first three rows.
“It was nice to be locked into Saturday night’s A Main and not have to run a heat race,” he said. “Unfortunately, I drew the highest number so we had our work cut out for us starting sixth.”
Johnson got a good start at the beginning of the 20-lap race.
“I was able to get to third after about a lap or so,” he said. “Then after following the two cars in front of me on the bottom of the track for a while I decided to go to the top. I thought that if I was going to have a chance at the win I needed to do something different.
“I was able to get by Dusty Ballenger for second and then I got ahead of the leader, John Lambertz, for about a corner with around five laps to go. But John was running the bottom pretty well and was able to get me back. I finished about two car lengths behind him at the finish.”
Johnson posted a pair of fourth-place finishes in preliminary night features on Thursday and Friday.
“I drew the ninth starting spot for Thursday’s feature, which put us in a bit of a hole,” he said. “I eventually got up to fourth and kind of settled in that spot, instead of taking a risk and running the top of the track.”
Johnson started sixth and quickly advanced to second in Friday night’s A Main after winning his heat race.
“I was a little disappointed with Friday night’s finish after getting a great start and then fading a bit at the end,” he said. “I overdrove it a few times and missed the bottom, letting a couple of guys get under me later in the race. It was still a top five, just a little disappointing after being in second early in the race.”
Johnson is planning a three-race holiday schedule this week with events at Belleville High Banks in Belleville, Kan., on Thursday; at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., on Friday; and at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Neb., on Saturday.
QUICK RESULTS –
June 27 – Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn. – Heat race: 2 (6); Feature: 4 (9)
June 28 – Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn. – Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 4 (6)
June 29 – Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minn. – Feature: 2 (6).
SEASON STATS –
15 races, 0 wins, 7 top fives, 9 top 10s, 10 top 15s, 12 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Thursday at Belleville High Banks Speedway in Belleville, Kan., with the URSS; Friday at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., with the Sprint Series of Nebraska; and Saturday at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Neb.
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.kalebjohnsonracing.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Kaleb___Johnson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KalebJohnsonRacing22
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“Medical Machining Specialists joined our team last year,” Johnson said. “We’re excited to have them back again this year and we greatly appreciate their support.”
Johnson would also like to thank Merle Johnson Farm Toys, Oddson Underground, Kat’s Hog Heaven, DeBerg Concrete, GRP Motorsports, Snyder Logging and Tree Service, Sea Foam Products, The Ron Weber Team, TL Racing, Big Al’s Diecast, Guaranteed Rate – Mike Brudigan Home Loans, Dave’s Lawn Care and Landscaping and Last Deck for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller
