WSORR: Bark River: Jason Mason weekend summary

John Mason Sweeps Bark River - Continues Podium Streak and Now Leads Super Buggy Championship

Plymouth, WI (July 17, 2008) - The battle for the 2008 WSORR PRO Super Buggy Championship continues to be incredibly close. John Mason and his #912 Mendeola Transaxles Goodyear Tire Honda powered Super Buggy have been in a tight points battle with the #902 of Tim Lemons. Both drivers have finished on the podium every time out and the WSORR Bark River event would be no different.

Round V

John Mason and his #912 Honda powered Super Buggy cleanly exited the first turn of the race in third place. In the next couple laps John passed Lemons for second and began to run down #904Gary Nierop. After a couple laps of setting Nierop up for a pass the transmission lost second gear. Even without second gear, the #912 Super Buggy was still able to run with Nierop, but unable to get around him. Then with two laps to go, #916 Corry Heynen got around John for second place. Quickly, his dad, David Mason radioed to John to stay clear of Heynen and leader Nierop. He believed the two Canadian drivers would have contact on the final lap. Sure enough, when Heynen attempted to pass Nierop, the two tangled. Heynen rolled and Nierop spun. As the checkered flag waved, John Mason crossed the finish line- first, Tim Lemons -second, and Scott Schwalbe-third.

"I'm fortunate to be standing on the top of the podium today," noted John Mason. "When Corry and Gary tangled, I just hoped they wouldn't gather me up as well. When second gear disappeared, I figured, just ride it out, hope for a podium finish. Taking the win was unexpected. Thanks to Goodyear for the tire support. Thanks to Mendeola for our transmission, it's been together a real long time without a problem. Of course I thank my wife, my kids, and my dad, David Mason, who all help out to get us to the track."

Overnight John and his dad, David, decided they didn't have all the resources at the track to fix the transmission. The decision was made to continue competing in Round VI without second gear, and hope that none of the broken pieces inside the transmission would further damage the drivetrain.

Round VI

The race plan was to run hard as one could without second gear and stay out of any trouble. The plan worked, John went through turn one in sixth place, and quickly realized that not only was he able to stay with the lead pack, but he was able to gain on them. Surprising all who watched, John began picking off position by position, turning fast lap after fast lap (setting quickest lap of the race). John eventually ran down the leader, #929 Scott Schwalbe, and passed him in the cemetery corner. When the checkered flag waived, John Mason and his #912 Mendeola Super Buggy crossed the finish, in first place. With six rounds of racing completed, John Mason has six podium finishes!

"Two races in a row like this, on top of the podium, was a great feeling," commented John Mason. "Somehow nothing else failed in the transmission today, I really wasn't expecting this kind of finish, this should not happen when you are down a gear in your transmission. Once again thanks to my dad, he's my crew chief, and my spotter. We don't have much time before Oshkosh, but our Mendeola Transaxles Goodyear Tire Honda powered Super Buggy will be ready in twelve days."

Currently, John Mason leads the 2008 WSORR Super Buggy Championship standings by two points, over Tim Lemons.

The next race for Mason Motorsports is July 25-26 at the Oshkosh Speedzone in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

-credit: Mason Motorsports