Jake Griffin Begins Chase For JEGS/CRA Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie Title At Springport Motor Speedway

14-year-old amongst a strong field of freshman competitors, 11 in all (Special from Jake Griffin Racing)

April 26, 2013

Quincy, Illinois (April 26, 2013) – 14-year-old Jake Griffin already has had a busy 2013 racing season having already competed in 16 events since late January when he started off the calendar year by doing double-duty at SpeedFest 2013 at Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, Georgia. The Prairie State teenager competed in both the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS and the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance events that made up the first major race of the season in the country.

Now after four more events in his Super Late Model as well as the rest of his races wheeling his UMP DIRTcar Modified, Griffin will now begin a title chase that he has been waiting for since teaming up with Scott Neal Racing; a run at the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance and it all starts on Sunday, April 28th at the 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked paved oval of Springport Motor Speedway in Springport, Michigan.

“This race at Springport is going to be another big race for me, the first point’s race of the season so we need to finish first of all and then worry about the other stuff.” The Quincy, Illinois teenager remarked. “We’ve never been to Springport like most of the asphalt tracks out there, but I’ve been watching videos and asking questions so I think I’m ready for it.” He added.

By teaming up with Neal, the 2012 Championship Winning Car Owner and Crew Chief with Daniel Hemric, Griffin feels he has a bit of an advantage not only because of Neal, but by having a teammate at SNR with Tempe, Arizona driver, Landon Cling taking over the driving duties in the same equipment Hemric sat in and won an impressive eight JEGS/CRA events in during the 2012 racing season.

“I think this year is going to be a big learning experience and a step in the right direction.” Griffin continued. “Scott (Neal) is just really helpful with teaching me and correcting me when there is something I need to be doing and I will hopefully have one of the fastest cars out there. I’m still learning how to drive a pavement car and how to react to it. That’s the biggest hurdle for me and is what i need to figure out.”

“I’m pretty excited about having Landon (Cling) running Scott’s car. I think it will be really helpful to me and Landon both to have another driver’s perspective on each track we go to and how both of our cars react to different things and relay better information to Scott about how the cars are handling each race.” He explained.

As for going back and forth between pavement and dirt several times throughout the course of the season, Griffin feels it will be a benefit to him; “We definitely will have a busy schedule this year though, running both the Super Late Models and the Pro Late Model when they are there together. Along with the dirt cars on the off weekends, it will definitely be something I myself haven’t experienced before, but will, in time, become a better driver because of it.” He ended.

For the 2013 racing season, Griffin’s fleet of machines, whether it’s the JEGS/CRA car or the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS entry and even the UMP DIRTcar Modified will carry the #08 and sponsorship decals from Central Metals Recycling, as well as McPikes Pawn Shop, McGunegill Engine Performance, Powdercoat Plus, Green Smart Builders, Microtel Inns and Suites, Big Muddy Towing and Recovery and M.P.H. Promotions

For more information about Jake Griffin and Jake Griffin Racing’s entire 2013 racing schedule and to also inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2013 racing season, log on to the team website at: www.jakegriffin.net and don’t forget to follow Jake Griffin Racing on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/jake.griffinracing and also on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/jakegriffin08