From J&J
McKENZIE, TN (December 29) – On a weekend when most were celebrating the Christmas holiday, J&J Auto Racing teams had reason to celebrate in Australia. Garry Brazier, Steve Lines and Luch Monte were all victorious in Sprint car action over the weekend, all wheeling J&J cars to victory lane.
Brazier headed a J&J podium sweep at Tyrepower Sydney Speedway that included two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart and four-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz. Lines picked up an impressive World Series Sprintcars feature event win at Murray Bridge Speedway, while his team-owner Luch Monte was victorious in the Hydraulink Southern Thunder Sprintcar Series.
TYREPOWER SYDNEY SPEEDWAY
The fans that stuck around for the annual Boxing Day event, which had to be run on Monday because of rain, were treated to an amazing race. NASCAR’s Tony Stewart set the pace early in the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 J&J as Brazier (No. 21 J&J) and Schatz (No.15 Garry Rush Racing Pick N Payless J&J) gave chase. Brazier and Stewart raced wheel-to-wheel and ultimately Brazier came out on top. Schatz made a late-bid for the lead, but ended the night in third.
“I love racing against the likes of these guys,” said Brazier, a six-time Australian national champion.
“It’s no disgrace to finish between two National Champions,” admitted Stewart following his second-place run in the Grand Prix.
WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS
Steve Lines is getting more and more comfortable behind the wheel of the Monte Motorsport No. 7 J&J. On Monday night, he looked right at home racing to victory in the sixth round of World Series Sprintcars at Murray Bridge Speedway.
“Finally…I have been wanting to do it for a long time,” said Lines. “I can’t thank everyone enough. Hopefully, we can just get better from here.”
Lines started fourth and patiently worked his way past Kerry Madsen and Trevor Green. J&J’s founder, Jack Elam, was thrilled to be at the race and shared a special victory lane celebration with the Monte Motorsport crew and his Australian host, David Challons.
HYDRAULINK SOUTHERN THUNDER SPRINTCAR SERIES
Before Lines scored his World Series triumph, Luch Monte carried the Monte Motorsport banner to victory lane in Sunday’s Boxing Day Clash at Bunbury City Speedway. Monte raced the No. 17 J&J into the lead early and fended off a hard-charging Ryan Farrell to claim his second consecutive STS victory.