BUSCH: Jason Jarrett; The man behind the name

JASON JARRETT Driver No. 11 Rayovac Pontiac

Birthdate: October 14, 1975 Residence: Hickory, NC Hometown: Newton, NC Marital Status: Single Movies: Most recently, "As Good As It Gets" One of my all-time favorite movies is "Hoosiers." Book: There are two books by Dr. Bob Rotella that I really enjoy. "Life Is Not A Game Of Perfect", and "Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect." Magazine: I like to read sports magazines and articles on sports history and events. If I have to pick one magazine though, I'll take Circle Track. Heroes: My parents off the track and my dad and granddad on. Music / Song / Artist: My preference is to listen to Classic Rock 'n' Roll, but I've got an ear for country music as well. Bob Seger's traveling song, "Turn the Page" might be my all-time favorite. Food: Nothing too fancy. Spaghetti w/ meatsauce rates right up there as my favorite, along with Pizza. Drink: Coca-Cola I'm a family man. Street Car: I drive a 1997 Chevrolet Pickup, and that's what I've wanted. The only thing that I'd like better is a new one. Sport other than racing:If I'm not racing, I enjoy watching baseball. Activities: When it comes to racing and golf, my dad's got me pretty well covered. I'm just hoping Hank Parker, Jr. and I end up somewhere that his dad can take us fishing.

BIO:

Jason Jarrett makes no attempt to hide his enthusiasm around the Jarrett / Favre Motorsports shop. As he rolls up his sleeves at the team's Hickory, NC headquarters, the son of Dale and grandson of Ned, both NASCAR Winston Cup Champions, will say it straight out, "It's good to be home again."

The 24-year old driver will compete in his first full season of Busch Series competition in 2000, and he'll do it under the family banner. Following a testing of the waters with a number of drivers in 1999, Rayovac Corporation has expanded the scope of their motorsports involvement to include all 32 Busch Series events, and tabbed the youngest driver in the Jarrett camp to pilot the #11 Rayovac Maximum Grand Prix.

Carrying on the legend of his family name, Jason Jarrett is poised to compete in his first full season on the NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division circuit.

Under the watchful eye of his father, current Winston Cup Champion Dale Jarrett, and his grandfather, two-time NASCAR Grand National Champion Ned Jarrett, 24 year-old Jason has been preparing for this opportunity for most of his life.

The young Jarrett proved to be a strong contender from his earliest days behind the wheel, successfully competing in go-karts and the NASCAR Winston Racing Series before ascending to the ranks of one of the most competitive motorsports series in the world.

Claiming the World Karting Association's Sprint Division Championship of the Carolina Cup Series in 1993 at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, Jarrett quickly moved up to the Limited Sportsman Division the following year.

From there, Jarrett returned to the scene of some of his father and grandfather's earliest successes, racing at Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway. In his first year of competition at the track, Jarrett claimed "Rookie of the Year" honors, racking up one win, a pole, and a fifth-place finish in the season standings at the legendary oval.

In 1995, Jarrett and his team at DAJ Racing moved up the ladder to the premier level of the Winston Racing Series, the Late Model Sportsman Division. For three seasons, the third-generation athlete paid his dues in the late model ranks, earning HMS' Most Improved Driver award in 1996.

In 1997, in addition to his battles at Hickory, Jarrett competed at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, NC, where he picked up two victories. In 46 late model starts at the two tracks that year, he accumulated an impressive total of 19 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes.

On March 29, 1997, Jason took the next step toward a career in the "family business," making his Busch Series debut at the Hickory circuit. Ironically, Jason's father, grandfather, and uncle (TV commentator Glenn Jarrett) all made their first career Busch Series starts at the .363-mile bullring.

Since that time, Jason has competed in 23 Busch Series events, including nine events during the 1999 season. After eight starts in the No. 33 BACE Bayer Monte Carlo last season, Jason was poised to gain valuable seat time behind the wheel of the No. 11 Jarrett / Favre Rayovac Ford in selected events.

Unfortunately, Jarrett's season came to an abrupt end at Memphis Motorsports Park in early October of 1999. Preparing for the Busch Series' first event at the facility, Jarrett broke several bones in his foot during a test session mishap. He spent the remainder of the year allowing the injured foot to fully heal in anticipation of the 2000 Busch Series opener in Daytona.

With his health back to 100 percent, Jason is eager to carry the Jarrett name proudly into the new millennium.