Jack Sellers Racing Sonoma Report June 21, 2014 was not the greatest day Ive ever experienced in racing but we had some significant highlights despite the troubles we encountered during the race. During qualifying Thomas Martin was atop the board for a good part of the 4 section euro qualifying format with Michael Shawhan in 4th for a time. Both achieved significant improvements over their practice times with Thomas running a 1:19.1 and Michael just a tick slower at a 1:20.0. Ultimately Thomas would start 11th and Michael a very solid 17th. Team Principal Jack Sellers qualifying run was delayed and thwarted by a competitors crash but Jack was still in the show starting 25th. Under instructions from Team Manager, John Krebs to take care of their machinery, brakes and tires all three JSR racers ran competitive early laps with Thomas and Michael running comfortably with both in or near the top 10 as the competition started having issues. At the halfway mandatory pit stop things unraveled a bit for Thomas Martin as his car refused to go into gear finally requiring a push start. Then while trundling around under yellow the car went to full neutral and required a push into the pits where the RJ Godett led #5 JSR crew dove underneath the car and unstuck the shifter rods and Thomas was back underway. He drove some great laps and was back on the lead lap when with just 5 laps to go in the 64 lap race he was forced into the wall as he charged back into what looked to be a top 5 finish. Under the circumstances this was a very disappointing result for championship contender, Thomas & the #5 JSR Racers Drive sponsored stock car. Lap 42 was the lap of doom for both Michael Shawhan and Team Principal Jack Sellers. Running his first NASCAR race with support from BTM Motorwerks/Racers Drive & Steve from Daves Mobile Crane, Michael came out of the competition yellow loaded for bear running in 12th place and dicing with Cup regulars Justin Allgaier, Austin Dillon and Michael Annett. Searching for those extra inches and an edge Michael bounced his #11 JSR Stock Car carving the outside curb at turn 4 and when the rear of the car returned to earth the left rear axle broke giving him drive to only one wheel and bringing him limping into the pit lane. The Jake Koens led #11 crew immediately pulled the axel and prepared to insert a new one but unfortunately the broken axel end was on the inside closest to the pumpkin and had fallen inside the center housing requiring a push back to the paddock. Pulling the diff and broken axel end took too long to make it back into the race and so Michaels NASCAR debut ended officially on lap 42 and in 25th place. Despite the finish, Team Manager John Krebs and the whole JSR team were very impressed with Michaels performance as he ran competitive laps and was close to the top 10 all day. Even after suffering a broken axel Michaels machinery and tires were in great shape and he would have probably joined his teammate Thomas Martin in the top 10 with a bit kinder treatment from the notorious Sonoma berms. Jack Sellers had a nice solid run going until an off course excursion caused a flat tire and then rushing to get back on pace he slid off course on lap 42 ( theres that lap again) at the fast and tricky turn 8 and hit the tire barrier doing some significant body damage. Luckily Jack walked away unhurt albeit in 26th place. At the end of the race the JSR team assessed and reviewed the damage on Thomass and Jacks cars and loaded up all three and prepared to head back to the teams headquarters in Roseville California. The JSR crew is resigned to some long hours of work ahead as they not only have to repair the road course rides but more immediately get their short track cars ready for the next K&N Pro Series West race at State Line Speedway in Idaho on July 12th. ONE FINAL SONOMA NOTE: Huge thanks to hospitality mavens Robin Osborne and Ellie Cesario for their tireless efforts to make everyone feel welcome as they support the madman who I become on race day and more importantly the JSR drivers, crew and VIPs who make it possible for us to do what we love to do - Go Racing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Be advised that competitive & affordable seats, supported by a professional crew are available for select races over the course of the remainder of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season on an Arrive & Drive basis with Jack Sellers Racing (JSR). Contact Mike Cesario at Mike@RacersDrive or on the phone call Mike at 408-220-3167.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 19:25:23 +0000