Quincy, Illinois (September 20, 2013) – With just two races to go in the 2013 JEGS/CRA
All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance season, 14-year-old Jake Griffin has
had, for all practical purposes a very good rookie campaign in a field chalk full of talented
freshman. He's fifth overall in the points standings and after a fourth place finish in the last
race, Griffin is looking at a possible podium finish in the final points standings after the
final points race in October during Winchester 400 Weekend.
His latest outing, a fourth place showing in the Springport Fall Brawl 100 Presented by
JEGS.com at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked paved oval of Springport Motor
Speedway in Springport, Michigan on September 14th, kept the Prairie State teenager on
the heels of Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year points leader, Corey Deuser, who
finished seventh at Springport. Going into the final two points races, Griffin is 50 markers
back of Deuser.
"Only two weeks left in the season and it's a pretty big margin between me and Cory. I
wish we wouldn’t have had bad luck earlier in the season. But there is still a chance,
anything can happen." The Quincy, Illinois driver relayed as he looks ahead to the final
two points races of the season. "Everybody on the team is really excited for Lucas Oil
Raceway this weekend. I know we have a good shot at the 'W'. After last time we were
there and how we ran, Just needed some luck that’s all. But I have a feeling that this weekend is going to be the one." He added.
The McGunegill Engine Performance CRA Fall Brawl 2013 Presented by P.A.D.D. (People Against Distracted Driving) is at the 0.686 mile progressively banked paved oval of Lucas Oil Raceway, located west of Indianapolis in Clermont, Indiana the Saturday-Sunday, September 21-22nd as Griffin will race in the P.A.D.D. 100 Presented by Chevrolet Performance & T.J. Racing Lubricants and will be carrying the colors of P.A.D.D. as well. With help from Scott Neal Racing, his teammate for the second consecutive weekend will be Jimmy Novak who will pilot the Scott Neal Racing #77.
"With P.A.D.D. coming on board our car and sponsoring the race too is awesome. Really excited for their program and where it is heading. Also coming off the great race we had at Springport with bringing home the fourth place finish," He continued. We're going to have a great group of guys on the car as always and this is a track I've been to before." Griffin remarked.
As for the race at Springport, throttle problems only allowed for a few laps of practice. Despite the limited track time, he qualified fifth quick out of 27 teams on the grounds and after the inversion draw, would start on the outside of the second row. After early contact with eventual race winner, Chad Finley, Griffin steadily worked his way back through the field and would finish in fourth. "It was a good race overall for us, we gained some points and the small crew that we had there really worked hard to get me this finish." He ended.
Going into LOR, Griffin remains second in the chase for the 2013 Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title in JEGS/CRA as he sits 50 markers back of fellow freshman Corey Deuser. In addition, Griffin is fifth overall in the points by just six points over Jerrod Foley. In 11 total JEGS/CRA events, including the non-points SpeedFest 2013 back in January, Griffin has two top five finished, which was a podium showing of third at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana back on June 22nd. He also has six top 10 showings as well.
For the rest of the 2013 racing season, Griffin’s fleet of machines, whether it’s the JEGS/CRA car, the ARCA/CRA entry or the UMP DIRTcar Modified will carry the #08 and sponsorship decals from Sun Drop Soda as well as Phantom Racing Gear, Central Metals Recycling, 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