STRONG START FOR J&J’S ON US SOIL

McKENZIE, TN – (Feb. 11) The 2013 racing season in the United States got off to a blazing start in Florida as J&J Auto Racing drivers led the way. Donny Schatz swept the UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions events in Ocala, Fla., driving the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 STP J&J. On the other side of the globe where the racing season continues, J&J Auto Racing drivers Ricky Logan (New Zealand) and Chad Ely (Western Australia) both won Sprint car races this past weekend.

Donny Schatz started the 2013 season in fine fashion by winning the season opener for the UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions at Bubba Raceway Park. He qualified third in the 34-car field and then raced from sixth to second in his heat. He started the 30-lap feature third and passed Daryn Pittman for the lead on lap 11 and went on to claim his 10th career All-Star feature victory.

“There’s just nothing like winning,” said Schatz. “I think the media picking me to win the World of Outlaws title this year takes some of the pressure off. To know the media recognizes how good of a team we have helps us. Bubba has worked very hard on this track trying to make it two grooves and it paid off tonight. The track was as good as I’ve ever seen it here.”

David Gravel made it two J&J’s in the top five when he raced the No. 89G Beyond Boobs sponsored J&J from ninth to fifth.  Tony Stewart raced the TSR No. 14 Chevy Performance Kistler powered J&J from 16th to 10th in his 2013 Winged Sprint car debut.

Donny Schatz made it two straight wins in Ocala (Fla.) as he once again was the class of the UNOH All-Star Circuit of Champions field at Bubba Raceway Park. He started the night by qualifying the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) No. 15 STP/Armor All/Chevy Performance J&J fastest in the field of 32 cars. He followed that up by racing from sixth to win the opening heat and then from fifth to third in the dash. He followed early leaders Dale Blaney and Tim Shaffer for the first 20 laps. The five-time and reigning World of Outlaws STP Sprint cars champion took advantage of his opportunity when Blaney and Shaffer had to slow for a lapped car. Schatz passed them both and led the rest of the way complete the weekend sweep.

“What a great weekend,” admitted Schatz. “The STP guys (Rick Warner, Steve Swenson and Jim O’hare) got all the cars and motors running fantastic and it’s a lot of fun. I was able to maneuver around and take advantage when Dale and Tim got to racing and they left a spot open for me.”

Shaffer, who is looking for his fifth straight All-Star title behind the wheel of the CH Motorsports No. 83 J&J, chased Schatz to the finish line. Those two J&J drivers were joined by Tony Stewart in the No. 14 Chevy Performance J&J, who finished third.  Gravel finished sixth to give J&J four of the top-six finishers.

Chad Ely joined the list of J&J Auto Racing winners over the weekend in Western Australia. Ely piloted his No. S22 J&J to victory at Perth Motorplex in both feature events of the  Marty Chamberlain 360 Trophy. Ely finished second in the second heat and then won both main event races.

American star Ricky Logan picked up his first victory of the season in New Zealand on Saturday night. Logan raced the No. 10A Lucas Oil sponsored J&J to victory in the Barry Butterworth Classic.

Daniel Pestka put on quite a show in Saturday’s Round 10 of the ENZED World Series Sprintcars Championship at Albany Speedway. Pestka, who had never been to the track before the weekend, raced the No. #27 Gawler Farm Machinery J&J to second in the feature event.

“This is the best result in my career so far,” admitted Pestka, following the race. “We’re really starting to gel with our crew chief Peter Caporn right now, and I’m feeling better and better in the car. I hope we can keep improving every time.”