From J&J
McKENZIE, TN – (JAN. 27) The success of Sprint car drivers using J&J Auto Racing cars continued last week in Australian short track action. Steve Lines and Stephen Bell scored a pair of impressive victories with Lines claiming the prestigious Warrnambool Classic and Bell conquering the President’s Cup.
AVALON RACEWAY – PRESIDENT’S CUP
Last Wednesday night, Stephen Bell made his fellow Australian countrymen proud as he claimed the 30th Essendon Ford Sprintcar President’s Cup at Avalon Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 88 J&J. Bell, who jumped into the lead of the Essendon Ford Sprintcar track championship, made his move early in the 25-lap main event. Bell raced past early leader Robbie Farr and never looked back around the exceptionally quick surface.
WARRNAMBOOL CLASSIC
Steve Lines has had some big wins in his career, but none bigger than his victory in Sunday night’s 39th running of the Standard Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool’s Sungold Stadium. Lines piloted the Monte Motorsport No. 7 J&J into the lead following a restart with 12 laps remaining and went on to capture his first “Classic”.
“I feel pretty good,” admitted the winner moments after the race. I think it hasn’t even sunk in yet, hopefully it will later. “I stuck it in there at the restart. I shot back through there and got the lead and I didn’t really know what to do. I looked up at the lap board and saw three to go and I tell you, man it was a long way home!”
Being in a position to win the bigger races is always a key. Lines admitted that a strong effort in Saturday’s qualifying program was a big reason he was standing on top at the end of the event.
“I think last night was a settler for us as I took my luck and collected the points,” continued Lines. “We come here early in the season and put it on pole but since then we went back a little bit, this weekend all the work they’ve done has obviously paid off.”
With a victory of this magnitude there were plenty of key elements. Lines thanked his former owner David Challons, his family and the Monte Motorsport organization for giving him the opportunity to chase this victory.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to win this race,” continued Lines. “These guys I race with are heroes of mine and to be here running with them is awesome. If you put your car up there anything can happen. My family always supported me and now all their work has landed us this.”
Lines started the main event in third and remained inside the top-five throughout. Brooke Tatnell paced the field from the pole, while Lines battled American stars Jason Meyers and Joey Saldana. When the World of Outlaws stars collided, it gave Lines the opening he needed. He worked his way under Tatnell on the ensuing restart and raced away to score the historic victory.