By Meredith Burns
Brownsburg, Indiana (July 21, 2011) — Ali Jackson, a native from Ireland and accomplished international road racer, came to Indianapolis this summer to learn the art of oval racing and signed on with the Nine Racing team to run USAC Mopar D1 Midgets, which included the 2011 Elite 8 Series presented by IUPUI, at the Bryant Heating & Cooling Indianapolis Speedrome. Ali has achieved a good number of top three finishes this season and in the process has been getting a handle on what it takes to run up front in oval racing.
For the last event of the season at the Indianapolis Speedrome, the promoters wanted to make it a special evening so they scheduled two 30-lap feature events for both the midgets and Ford Focus cars. Jackson started second in the first 30-lap feature and worked hard throughout the race, finishing third.
For the second 30-lapper Jackson started fourth, and early in the race came upon misfortune and spun. He could not restart so he recorded a DNF.
“I have learned a lot this season racing at the Indianapolis Speedrome. Glenn Martin has given me great cars all season long and we have come close a couple of times to get a win. I felt good tonight in the first race, but in the second feature I made a mistake and spun. I am looking forward now to going to other tracks and to keep learning what it takes to win on ovals,” Jackson stated.
Ali will continue to drive the Nine Racing midget in the remaining USAC Mopar D1 Midget Series events, and the next race will be August 4, 2011, at Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, Indiana.
Nine Racing’s 2011 sponsor lineup includes K&N Engineering, Eibach Springs, Weld Racing, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, Penske Racing Shocks, Performance Friction Brakes, ASE, Earl’s Performance Plumbing, SSi Decals, PJ1, and Hoosier Racing Tire.