Trip To Victory Lane For 15-Year-Old Rookie J.J. Haley At Springport Motor Speedway
2014 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie Scores Win in Season Opener (Special from J.J. Haley Racing)
May 8, 2014
Winamac, Indiana (May 8, 2014) – As the fastest car of Practice throughout the
weekend, 15-year-old J.J. Haley had the proverbial target on his back when race day
rolled around in Springport, Michigan. The 2014 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the
Year title contender within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet
Performance was one of seven freshmen in the field looking to get their season started on
the right track, no pun intended. Haley did more than start the season out right, he went
to victory lane.
Haley laid down the quickest time overall in Practice the day before at the 3/8s (0.375)
mile semi-banked paved oval of Springport Motor Speedway. He did it again in the lone
race day practice at the track located north of Jackson and south of Lansing in
Springport, Michigan. All eyes were on the Winamac, Indiana driver in Qualifying. When
Haley's #99 Braun Ability / Chevrolet qualified only 18th quick out of the 32 cars, most teams disregarded his quickness in Practice.
The Hoosier State driver made them think twice about doubting him in the Cabin Fever 100 Presented by JEGS.com as he advanced 17 spots, took the lead on lap 78 and held on for his first career win in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour in just his third ever start in the series. He also became the second youngest event winner in series history. Only Kyle Benjamin was younger than Haley in that category. Benjamin's win at Winchester Speedway (IN) back on May 6th, 2012 came at 14 years, 184 days old. Haley's victory was at 15 years, 6 days old.
"Going into Springport I knew I had to get the season started off on a good note. There is a lot of competition in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour." Relayed Haley after his win. "That didn't bring any doubts to the team and I though. They gave me an extremely fast car the whole weekend. I learned a lot from the season opener, skills I will use for the rest of my career, and an experience we will never forget. I would like to thank the fans for being there to support the racing community, my sponsors and everyone on the J.J. Haley Racing Team." He appreciatively added.
The next race weekend on the schedule will be on Saturday, May 17th as the 2nd Annual Mercy Masters of the Pros 144 Presented by JEGS.com is at Lebanon I-44 Speedway, located southwest of St. Louis in Lebanon, Missouri. The richest paying JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race of the season will be a busy weekend for Haley who has more plans slated for that weekend in addition to the race in the Show Me State. An announcement about that weekend is forthcoming.
So far in 2014 and in eight total races, Haley now has one win to go with two top fives and five top 10s in a season that starting with a fourth place finish in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour non-points door opener; SpeedFest 2014 at Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA) on January 26th. He then ran in six events ran out of the seven during Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) as he missed one event due to school commitments. Haley would finish ninth in the World Series Pro Late Models final points standings.
In addition to the full JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour schedule. Haley will also make select appearances in the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS during the season and will also fill the schedule with races in the Vore's Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Series Powered by JEGS as well as in weekly competition at Toledo Speedway (OH) competing in the tracks ARCA Sportsman division.
For the remainder of the 2014 racing season, Haley's black #99 J.J. Haley Racing Chevrolet Impala as well as the rest of the fleet of racecars with Crew Chief, Bobby Blount calling the shots on top of the pit box all year long, will sport sponsorship decals and support from Braun Ability as well as Braun Auto Group, Two Guys Mechanical, JMR Trucking, T.J. Racing Lubricants and M.P.H. Promotions.
For more information about the J.J. Haley Racing and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2014 campaign, please email Nathan Dennis at: jjhmotorsports@yahoo.com The new website is up and running at: www.jjhaleyracing.com You can also go to the teams’ Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com and search “J.J. Haley Racing” and on Twitter by logging on at: www.twitter.com/jjhaleyracing
