J&J Auto Racing weekly news 2003-06-10

Rahmer, Lynch, Schatz, Shepard, Schulz and Smith score wins for J&J

McKenzie, TN -- Last Friday night, Ed Lynch and Donny Schatz proved coming from the back to victory was possible as they both did the trick in J&J sprinters while Jeff Shepard defeated the All-Stars in a J&J sprinter and proclaimed that J&J's craftsmanship, quality and performance make it the chassis of choice in sprint car racing. Jamie Smith, Fred Rahmer and John Schulz were also victorious over the weekend in a J&J.

Williams Grove Speedway

Fred Rahmer claimed his first feature win of the season at Williams Grove Speedway on Thursday night driving the Joe Harz Racing #88h J&J. He started 11th in the feature and managed to avoid some early crashes. He was in fourth place after one lap. It only took Rahmer five laps to chase down 16-year old rookie Lucas Wolfe, who led the race from the drop of the green flag. Rahmer used an outside move through three and four to take the lead on lap six and began to pull away from the field. Rahmer went on to lead the rest of the way to claim the impressive victory. The win was the 53rd of Rahmer's career at Williams Grove, which places him second behind Lance Dewease on the Grove's list of sprint car winners.

Lernerville Speedway

Ed Lynch Jr. thrilled the fans by winning the 20-lap St. Barnabas Heath System/Bill Steinbach Memorial Race on Friday night at Lernerville Speedway. Lynch, who had won three consecutive races in his #2L Commercial Truck and Trailer/Indy Recycling/Red Devil Brakes J&J, was forced to start at the rear of the field.

Defending race champion, Jamie Smith, led the race 19 laps in the #5G G.B.C. J&J while Lynch methodically whittled his way through the pack and moved into second. Lynch used the outside line as he rounded turn four and made the winning pass at the start/finish line to claim win number 61 at the half-mile oval. "I didn't think I could do it, but it opened up and I took advantage of it!" said Lynch following the win.

Smith held on for second ahead of Scott Bonnell (#1P J&J) who came home third, which earned J&J a podium sweep.

River Cities Speedway

Donny Schatz took advantage of "off-weekend" from his World of Outlaws wars and stormed to victory at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND. Schatz, who use to race at the high-banked 3/8-mile oval as a teenager, raced his #15 ParkerStore J&J from the last row to claim his fourth win of the season.

"I haven't had a weekend off in about five years, but I'm glad I came up here tonight," said Schatz, who started 21st and led the final 11 laps of the 25-lap race. "I haven't been very good on short tracks this season. Hopefully, we can use something we learned here on other short tracks and have more success."

All-Stars

Jeff Shepard gave car owner Bob Miller his first career All Star win Saturday night at Butler Motor Speedway in the Haulmark All Star sprint car 30 lap feature. Shepard piloted the #2 Miller Rigging J&J with Kriner horsepower that was setup by crewchief Andy Potter. Shepard started fourth and made some bold moves around the outside of turns three and four to make his way to the front on a one-groove racetrack. Shepard passed early leader Dean Jacobs in traffic on the 21st circuit and drove away to claim his third win in the #2 J&J.

"Everybody knows that I've driven a lot of racecars over the years, but I can honestly say that these J&J sprint cars are the cars of choice," claimed Shepard. "The craftsmanship is second to none. We know how the car is going to react to every combination we put on it."

"My car-owner wants to win the owner points for the All-Stars and I told him that I would do everything I could to help him do that. With Andy Potter setting up these J&J's, I think we've got a great shot at it."

Mercer Raceway Park

Jamie Smith started seventh in Saturday's feature event at Mercer Raceway Park and worked his way to the front during the race before making the winning move in turns one and two on lap 17. Smith went on for his 23rd career win in his #5G G.B.G. J&J.

34 Raceway

John Schulz scored another impressive victory at 34 Raceway near Burlington, IA on Saturday night. He drove the #2 Deuce Racing J&J and took the lead on the third lap using the top side of the raceway to make his tracks. He won by six car lengths while his Deuce Racing teammate, Matt Rogerson, made an impressive run in the #22 J&J racing from the back of the field to finish fifth.

Other solid J&J performances:

Greg DeCaries recently scored consecutive wins in the RG Motorsports J&J in California winning on May 24th and 31st at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico and at Placerville Speedway. The success for the team this season also includes setting track records this season at both Twin Cities Speedway (Marysville, CA) and Placerville Speedway.

-j&j-