For Immediate Release:
July 12, 2016

Keith Jackson’s successful 2016 continues; finds victory line in round no. 1 of the Hagerstown/Winchester shootout series.

(Martinsburg, West Virginia) After taking the July 4th weekend off to spend time with family and friends, Keith Jackson and his team went right back to work, picking up where they left off 2 weeks ago when they won the Red Nininger Memorial. This past weekend saw the team entering both races that would make up the first leg of the Hagerstown/Winchester shoot-out. The miniseries is a cooperative effort between both speedways, located only 40 minutes apart to work together; benefitting the race teams and fans alike. The final leg of the series will take place with back to back events on August 19th & 20th.

A rare Friday night race at Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway saw 25 of the area’s top Super Late Models in attendance for round no.1 of the four race miniseries. The Ernie D’s Enterprises/Reliable Painting no. 11J was fast from the moment it was unloaded. Jackson would set fast time within his group and would back it up by winning the competitive second heat race. A heads up start for the feature would see him roll off from the outside of the front row, beside overall fast qualifier Dale Hollidge. Keith would make the most of it as he grabbed the lead on the initial start and wired the field in convincing fashion throughout the non-stop 25 lap feature. Touring the big half mile, mostly around the top, Jackson would masterfully work through lapped traffic to pick up his 2nd straight victory at Hagerstown. The win, Keith’s third of the season in only 7 starts was worth $2,500.

The following evening, saw the team head south down Interstate 81 to Winchester, Virginia where round no.2 would take place set-up by time trials, heats and a 35 lap feature for the 20 cars in attendance. Once again, the KJR team proved that preparation is a big key to the team’s success as the MBH/Penske Shocks mount was fast right out of the box in the team’s inaugural 2016 visit to the Virginia speedway. Jackson would lay down a lap good enough for 3rd quickest in his group, giving him the 3rd spot in his heat race. Jackson would wheel the KRS Graphics/Hoosier Tire; Josh Hartman wrenched 11J to a hard fought 2nd place finish, putting him on the inside of row no.2 for the feature. At the drop of the green everyone was chasing the leader on the tough track. With about 10 to go, Jackson and others reeled in the leaders as they approached lapped traffic. The top 4 were running under a blanket when unfortunately, a caution flag would erase the epic battle that was developing. Once the green waived on the restart, everyone was stuck to the bottom on the slick track and Keith would be forced to settle for a hard earned 3rd place finish behind (Dale)Hollidge and (Matt)Cosner.

“The car was really good all weekend” stated Jackson. “Everyone seems to be right on the same page. Billy (Vacek) is giving great information with the car, Rick (Leggett) has the motor running flawless and Jim (Stevens) has me on the best shocks out there. When the car is as good as mine is right now, it is fun to drive. To have won 3 races in our first 7, says a lot about the preparation that Josh, my Dad and the whole team accomplish during the week. Every time we have unloaded, the car has been fast and with running a limited schedule, it helps keep our equipment and crew fresh in this heat. You have to be prepared, especially with time trial shows. If you qualify well, you will start towards the front. If you qualify badly, it is hard to play catch-up against all the great competitors we race against. I wish that last caution wouldn’t have come out there at Winchester. Dale(Hollidge) was in lapped traffic and Matt(Cosner), Jeremy(Miller) and myself had run him down. I think the four of us were ready to give the fans a show before the yellow, but that’s part of the game. Sometimes the caution falls when you need it and sometimes it doesn’t” added the 25 year old chauffeur.

Keith and the team plan to sit idle this weekend and take a little family vacation. Their next scheduled race will be at Hagerstown on July 23rd for the $4,400 to win 33rd Annual Hayes Conococheague Race.

Sponsor Spotlight – Penske Racing Shocks– Reading, Pennsylvania:
Founded in 1988 when the need for a higher performing shock absorber was identified by the Penske Racing Indy Car team. Today, Penske Shocks offer a variety of quality shocks and parts whether you race a limited, small block, or super, Penske Racing Shocks understands that their shocks need to be team friendly and easily adaptable for the ever changing track conditions. As the track conditions continue to change, their service and track support are there to assist their clients. Penske’s short track technicians have 50 plus years of racing knowledge combined and can be found at a variety of tracks to offer assistance. Also if your shock needs a new part or revalving, Penske Racing Shocks takes pride in ensuring that your shock will be ready for your next race! As past racers themselves, they understand that their customers need to have a quality product, knowledgeable shock representatives, and timely service to ensure that their car(s) will have the best performance possible. For more information on Penske Racing Shocks, check them out on the web at www.penskeshocks.com or give them a call at (610)375-6180.

Keith Jackson Racing would like to thank all of their Marketing Partners:
Ernie D’s Enterprises, Ernie D’s Trailer Sales, Reliable Painting, Inc., Leggett Engine Research, Penske Racing Shocks, MBH Race Cars, Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, JDS Racing, Precise Racing Products, KRS Graphics, Sunoco Race Fuels, Jones Racing Products and Schaeffer’s Racing Oil.

2016 Stats:
Starts: 7
Wins: 3
Top 5: 5
Top 10: 7
11-15: 0
15-20: 0
DNF: 0

Prepared & distributed by KRS Graphics Motorsports Media