From Tony Veneziano, image courtesy of Jim Fisher/FSCPictorial.com
Concord, NC – With the 2010 season well under way, Jason Meyers will reap one final reward from a very successful 2009 campaign that saw him win 10 times with the World of Outlaws and finish as the runner-up in the closest point race in series history, as he was recently named one of the ‘Racers of the Year’ by the Motor Sports Press Association, which is based in his home state of California.
Meyers was victorious once last season in his home state, taking the opener of the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. The biggest win of the year for the veteran driver who pilots the GLR Investments KPC which is co-owned by Chris Luck, Guy Stockbridge and Meyers himself, came at Skagit Speedway in Washington, where he pocketed $20,000. Meyers led the series with 55 Top-10 finishes in 2009 with 34 of those being Top-Five performances. He was one of just three drivers to lead over 300 laps of feature racing competition last season and was quickest in time trials on eight occasions. He led all drivers with 10 wins in the dash to earn pole positions in feature events and also raced his way into the dash more times than any other driver in the series last year.
“It’s really exciting for our team and says a lot about our team,” said Meyers of the honor from the MSPA. “We’re going to take the entire team up there on Wednesday to receive the award. Like I told them on the phone, it’s not me that makes it happen, it’s this entire team. It’s really neat to receive something like that. It was very special when I received the phone call. Everyone has worked so hard to build what we have and we’re looking forward to many more to come.”
The native of Clovis, Calif. will receive the honor at the 47th Annual Motor Sports Press Association Pre-season Awards Dinner on Wednesday, March 3, which will be held at Francesco’s Restaurant, near the Oakland International Airport. The event is open to the public and ticket information is available at pitpass@gvni.com or by calling (916)-920-9150. Gill Campbell, CEO and General Manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, will be the featured speaker at the Awards Dinner.
After winning one of the most thrilling events in World of Outlaws history last weekend in Las Vegas, which saw him edge 20-time series champion Steve Kinser on the final lap, after taking the lead from four-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz with just three laps to go, Meyers will be in action later this week in California at his home track of Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, as the World of Outlaws compete on the high-banked 1/3-mile on Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.
“I always look forward to going there,” Meyers shared of Thunderbowl Raceway. “It’s a great race track and I have a lot of history there and have had a lot of success there. We have a lot of fans, friend, family and sponsors that will be there. It’s always an exciting event for us and I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get one there this year.”
Meyers heads to his home track fourth in the World of Outlaws championship standings, just 16 points out of the lead. He has finished sixth or better in all three World of Outlaws events this year. He opened the season at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida with a solid fourth-place run and followed that up with a sixth-place effort the next night. After his win last Friday night in Las Vegas, Meyers is one of just five drivers that has finished in the Top-10 in each race this season.
“We’ve had a good start and everyone worked so hard over the winter to come out of the box strong,” shared Meyers. “I’m exciting about it and everyone deserves good runs for all of the hard work they put in. We’re excited about how the season has started and are really looking forward to the summer and trying to get that World of Outlaws championship still.”
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake s Custom Golf Carts, KSE Race Products, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder s Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.