Texas II: Jason Johnson race report

Johnson breaks through for Outlaws win.

13 October, 2003 - It was a fairytale finish for Jason Johnson last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway when he captured his career first O'Reilly World of Outlaws victory.

The 27-year-old started from 13th position and continually charged his way forward throughout the 40-lap event. Johnson made his first real noise of the 40-lap feature when he passed fourth-place Shane Stewart riding the cushion on lap 30. Two rounds later he pushed the Harrison Trucking Eagle around Joey Saldana at the start-finish line for third.

On lap 34 the "The Cajun Sensation" blew by Darryn Pittman then brought the crowd to its feet with an identical pass on his former employer, Steve Kinser on the next circulation. Johnson worked for Kinser 5 years ago on the Outlaws trail.

>From there Johnson didn't look back to then run away to post a 3.97-second victory over Kinser.

"It's just so cool to win an Outlaws race, it's what dreams are made of but then to pass my old boss it makes it even sweeter," said Johnson on the day following his victory.

"I am still on a high after such an event the emotions are so hard to explain. A lot of people try and win one of these deals and never succeed but I can finally say that I have won an Outlaws feature. I hope it is the first of many."

"After last night I really feel like I have accomplished something and that people will now sit up and take more notice of me that I am not just out there to make up the numbers. I want to win every time I am on the track no matter who I am racing against."

What makes Johnson's victory even more sweeter is the fact that he came from further back than any other driver in the O'Reilly World of Outlaws Series this year starting from 13th. The furthest back any other driver had come from this year is 10th.

He also became the 17th different driver to this year to win an O'Reilly World of Outlaws feature event. It also fills him full of confidence for his final four events in America before heading to Australia with the aim of becoming the second American to take out the World Series Sprintcars Championship after Pittman's victory last year.

"I am racing basically right up until I fly out for Australia so I can keep my eye in for the Championship down there. The team have told me everything is coming along smoothly and I am really looking forward to it."

Johnson will compete in the next four O'Reilly World of Outlaws events aboard the Harrison Trucking Eagle.

-cdr-