J&J Auto Racing weekly news 2003-04-22

J&J Auto Racing teams sweep Outlaws at Eldora, while Kauffman, Stambaugh, Ely, Bridges and Sanford also come home winners.

McKENZIE, TN -- J&J Auto Racing teams scored big wins on several dirt tracks across the country last weekend. Donny Schatz and Sammy Swindell both piloted J&J sprinters to victory lane in the World of Outlaws event at "the worlds fastest half-mile" while Keith Kauffman, Eric Stambough, Dave Ely Johnny Bridges and Rusty Sanford also came home first.

World of Outlaws

Donny Schatz picked up where he left off the last time he piloted his ParkerStore #15 J&J around the super-fast half-mile of Eldora Speedway finishing in first place. Last August, Schatz won the $100,000-to-win Historical Big One, his first ever feature event win at Eldora, and on Friday night, he came home first again in his #15 J&J.

"We had a good night and everything went well," said Schatz after leading the final 13 laps of Friday's WoO feature. "My crew has been working hard all year and to win a race at Eldora is always a big deal. The car has been working great all year."

Sammy Swindell, who finished third on Friday in the Beefpackers #1 J&J, was Saturday's winner, his 15th WoO feature win. The win was Swindell's first WoO victory of the 2003 campaign for the Memphis, TN driver and his crew chief Kenny Woodruff.

"The Ore-Cal/Beef Packers J&J has been running good all year long," Swindell said. "I had this (weight) problem at Las Vegas, so what comes around goes around I guess. We ran pretty hard tonight. I know Steve seems to get his elbows up a little bit when he sees me out there, and I probably do the same. Hopefully, we'll be able to win another one of these races real soon."

Daryn Pittman (Sherdon Motorsports #21 J&J) and Paul McMahan (Miller #2 J&J) joined Swindell in the top ten on Saturday by finishing seventh and tenth.

URC

Dave Ely was the top gun at Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday night, winning the 25 lap Advance Auto Parts URC Sprint Series feature event, sponsored by BAR's Leaks. Driving the Gene Franckowiak #3 J&J, Ely was never challenged for the win, his first of the URC 2003 season and second career victory under the URC banner.

Port Royal

Keith Kauffman returned to victory lane Saturday night April 19 at Port Royal Speedway. Keith Kauffman drove the Middleswarth Potato Chips no. 7 to the front and withstood several challenges to record his 116th career win at the Juniata County oval.

"We've had some trouble getting started. We haven't had any luck and didn't pull many good pills. Part of it is luck. The crews working hard and we're getting better." Kauffman stayed high on the cushion of the speedway while most challengers tried to drive low to pass. Kauffman added, " the top was where it was fast. I stayed out there."

Lincoln Speedway

Eric Stambaugh capitalized on a consistent season start in 358 Sprint competition at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday night by winning the 20-lap feature event from the 10th starting spot. Stambaugh, who had finished second in his qualifying heat, drove the Jeff Brown powered #4J&J into third place just prior to a lap eight red flag. After the restart he shot into the lead on lap ten. Riding the high side of the speedway, Stambaugh controlled the race from there after to record his first Lincoln win of the season by nearly a straightaway.

AOAS

Johnny Bridges won the American Outlaw Action Series at Laurens County Speedway in Laurens, SC on Saturday night. Bridges drove the #07 J&J from the front row and held off all of the competition to earn the victory.

Hattisburg Speedway

Rusty Sanford won the Cajun Sprinters event at Hattisburg Speedway on Saturday night. Sanford and his Gatwood Motorsports teammate Lane Whittington finished first and second in J&J sprint cars. Sanford took the lead on the start from his second row starting spot and led most of the 25-lap event. The win was Sanford's first of the season driving his #12 Porter Tools/Advanced Autoparts J&J.

Other solid J&J Performances:

Fred Rahmer did every thing he could to win at Williams Grove Speedway driving the Joe Harz Racing #88h, but he came home second. He was followed by Lance Dewease in the Hamilton Motorsports #77 J&J in third.

Ed Lynch Jr. had a pair of strong runs in his #2L J&J last weekend. On Friday night, he raced from 20th to second at Lernerville Speedway and on Saturday night, he charged from the back of the field to finish fourth at the New Sharon Speedway.

Terry Pletch drove his #29 J&J to a second place finish in the second Hoosier Tire Midwest Sprint Car Series Feature at Twin Cities Raceway Park at Vernon, Indiana.

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