Eighth Place Finish For 15-year-old Jake Griffin Driving For Five-4 Motorsports In The Show-Me State
Griffin to run twice over the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend in two different cars (Special from Jake Griffin Racing)
May 23, 2014
Quincy, Illinois (May 23, 2014) – Jake Griffin knew how big the opportunity to drive for
Five-4 Motorsports and 2012 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet
Performance Champion, Daniel Hemric would be. The 15-year-old would climb behind the
wheel of the potent #54 Jack Link's Beef Jerky / Chevrolet at Lebanon I-44 Speedway in
Lebanon, Missouri on May 17th. The biggest and highest paying Pro Late Model race in
the country would be the 2nd Annual Mercy Masters of the Pros 144 Presented by
JEGS.com.
Griffin was confident at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile progressively banked paved oval having
become the youngest driver in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series history to win a
weekly Feature as a 14-year-old one season ago. After qualifying 11th out of the 33 cars
on the property, Griffin would begin the extended distance race from the inside of the sixth
row. Even with a good starting position, the Quincy, Illinois teenager knew he'd have his
work cut out for him.
"First off I want to say how much I enjoyed working with Five-4 Motorsports again; it's a
really great team and really fun to work with." The appreciative driver stated. "Off the trailer
we were a little bit off, had a hard time finding speed to start. But at the end of practice
day we found speed on old tires, mocked up to start out on Saturday and everything we found on the old tires went away." Explained Griffin.
In the 144-lap main, Griffin climbed his way into the top 10 and that's where he stayed until the lap 100 break when he was one of only a handful of teams to take on two new tires. By doing so, he would restart in 24th. Griffin clawed his way up to as high as fifth against some of the best teams in the country. At the end of the race, he would be shown in eighth. "The boys at Five-4 didn't give up and we managed to put down a solid qualifying lap and have a good race. All in all it was a good weekend; really have to thank my sponsors for helping us be able to run that race." He stated.
The Memorial Day Holiday Weekend will see Griffin stay on the pavement for a couple of days as the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds stand out will run a pavement Modified at Hawkeye Downs Speedway (IA) on Friday, May 23rd. Then it's back to Lebanon I-44 Speedway (MO) on Saturday, May 24th in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly Pro Late Models competition. "Really excited to get back in both cars this weekend. Big thanks to Tim Plummer for letting me run his Modified and Kevin Crider for having me climb into his Late Model." He ended.
The rest of Griffin's 2014 plans call for the Prairie State teenager to make select appearances in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour as well as in the ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS in cars fielded by Kevin Crider Motorsports. Crider will be calling the shots on top of the pit box as the Crew Chief. In addition, more races are slated with Five-4 Motorsports and tentative plans also 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.
For the rest of the 2014 racing season, Griffin’s sponsors supporting his efforts in all of his racecars includes Sun Drop Citrus Soda. In addition 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 & Recovery, TNT Action Sports, MSRMafia.com Marketing Services and M.P.H. Promotions will all have decals on the cars as well.
For more information about Jake Griffin Racing and to also inquire about additional sponsorship opportunities for the rest of the 2014 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
