Jake Griffin Looks To Race As Often As Possible On Both Pavement & Dirt During Florida Speedweeks
15-year-old to race a Pavement Super Late Model & UMP DIRTcar Modified in Sunshine State (Special from Jake Griffin Racing)
February 6, 2014
Quincy, Illinois (February 6, 2014) – The 2013 season saw Jake Griffin become the
youngest driver in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series history to Win a Feature when
he won at Lebanon I-44 Speedway (MO) back on August 17th as a 14-year-old. He then
added another milestone when He became the youngest driver in Fairgrounds Speedway
Nashville's (TN) long and storied history to Win a Pole when the still 14-year-old teenager
out-qualified the 27-car field in the Pro Late Models portion of the 29th Running of the All-
American 400 in the Music City back on November 1st.
Now the 2014 racing season is on the horizon and the now 15-year-old from Quincy,
Illinois is staring straight at a breakout season beginning with the 48th annual World
Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at the fast 1/2 (0.500) mile high-banked paved oval of
New Smyrna Speedway (FL) from February 14-22nd. If that schedule wasn't busy enough,
Griffin will also be competing as much as possible in his United Midwestern Promoters
(UMP) DIRTcar Modified at near-by Volusia Speedway Park (FL) from February 11-18th. A
busy schedule for sure, but one Griffin looks forward too.
"Really excited about Speedweeks again this year, driving the Kevin Crider Motorsports
car at New Smyrna, along with our brand new Pierce Racecars Dirt Modified we will run at Volusia. Always fun to go down there and doing what I love and enjoying some vacation time as well." Griffin relayed as he and his Jake Griffin Racing Team prepare for the trip south. "Speedweeks is unlike anything else. As long as you don't tear anything up you can have fun and mess around all day and then get to have some more fun at the track at night." He added.
The relaxed schedules for Speedweeks are another plus for Griffin and crew despite the busy and hectic plans for the 2014 version. "I really enjoy how they have the World Series laid out because it's just like a dirt event. You show up, run a practice session, go qualify then you jump straight into the short features. It's like weekly racing with some of the best in the country." He stated.
"Volusia on the other hand is insane to what everyone is used to on the dirt. You get there just like any other event, but at Volusia you have 80-90 cars being unloaded around you and all of them being your competition." Griffin explained. "There are literately no slouches when you go there. The atmosphere of Volusia is so different from what they usually are when you go to big races like that; I think that’s what makes these races special for me."
As for expectations, Griffin is optimistic about his chances on both surfaces; "Our goal this year is to run good at Volusia and be in contention every night. For New Smyrna, we really want to win the championship. I know it's not going to be easy, but I think with our team and the showings we have made at tracks like Nashville and Memphis and the Snowflake I think we are very capable of accomplishing that goal. Also I really have to thank all of my sponsors and crew for making it possible for me to go down there again this year." He ended.
After Speedweeks, plans call for Griffin to compete in select events within the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS in his Super Late Model as well as in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance in his Pro Late Model both fielded by Kevin Crider Motorsports with Crider calling the shot on top of the pit box as the Crew Chief for both cars. In addition, tentative plans call for Griffin to race in a couple of NASCAR K&N Pro Series events and when his pavement schedule allows, Griffin will wheel his UMP DIRTcar Modified in as many events as possible.
During the 2013 racing season, Griffin's main focus was the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance while also competing on a limited basis with the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS as well as at Lebanon I-44 Speedway (MO). The majority of Griffin's starts in 2013 however were on the dirt in his United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) DIRTcar Modified as well as select appearances in his UMP DIRTcar Super Late Model. Overall in 2013, Griffin made a whopping 80 starts between dirt and pavement during the year.
In JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour competition in 2013, he finished third in the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year title chase while also collecting a seventh place finish overall in the Final JEGS/CRA points. In 13 total JEGS/CRA events, Griffin picked up two top five finishes with a season high podium showing of third at Salem Speedway (IN) back on June 22nd. He also grabbed a fourth place effort at Springport Motor Speedway (MI) on September 14th to go with his seven top 10 showings.
Also in three appearances within the ARCA/CRA Super Series, Griffin collected two top 10 finishes with a season high of an eighth at Memphis International Raceway (TN) back on October 26th. He also scored an impressive 10th place finish at the legendary 1/2 mile high-banks of Winchester Speedway (IN) during the tracks prestigious World Stock Car Festival traditionally held over the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.
Griffin’s fleet of racecars for the new season, an ARCA/CRA Super Series Super Late Models, a JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Pro Late Model and a UMP DIRTcar Modified will all carry the #08 and sponsorship decals from Sun Drop Soda as well as P.A.D.D. (People Against Distracted Driving), 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.
For more information about Jake Griffin Racing and to also inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for Florida Speedweeks on both his Super Late Model and his UMP DIRTcar Modified and also for the remainder of the 2014 racing season, log on to the teams' website at: www.jakegriffin.net You can also follow Jake Griffin Racing on Facebook by going to: www.facebook.com/jake.griffinracing and on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/jakegriffin08
