KJ Motorsports Update #11 Race #19 & #20 By: Kenny Johnson Date: 6-1-08 Friday we went to Skyline and dad drew us a #35 pill. Due to a scratch, we were able to start 3rd in the heat. By running the bottom we were able to get the heat race win. This would start us on the outside front row of the feature. We took the early lead, but Rick Aukland managed to get by. We ran 2nd for a while until Jeremy Berwanger and I made it a race for 2nd. We wound up finishing 3rd. I was very pleased with the car on this slick track although we didn’t win. Jason is already planning on what changes we will be making for next Friday.

Saturday K-C Speedway was paying $1,000 to win, so we headed that direction. We set 2nd fast time and started 5th in the dash to finish 4th. Started 4th in the feature and took the lead around the halfway point and went on to get the win and the all important $1,000 check. The car handled great and the win capped off a super night. Need to thank Tod and the gang at Hassy Chassis.

Also need to thank Tim Cooper and Jason Canepari for their support thru the week in garage and at the track. Sponsors are K-Graphics, Racersmate, Dickson Racing Shocks, Balderson Construction, H&S Construction, Laurita Excavating, Billy Lloyd Racing Engines, Zemba Bros., Inc., Gene’s Trailer Sales, Wrisco Aluminum.

Also remember those that helped when they were here; Tom Willoughby, Bill Shortridge & Mike “Bubba” Whited.

This week we plan to go to Skyline on Friday and Ohio Valley on Saturday.

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us! Thanks again for your support,

KJ

KJ Motorsports

Update #10

Race #16, #17 & #18

By: Kenny JohnsonDate: 5-27-08

I want to wish my Mom a Happy Birthday this coming week.

Friday we headed to Elkins for the first Road Warrior Tour race. They had 17 cars and we set 3^rd fast time. We started the pole of the 3^rd heat and battled for the lead to come up short and wound up finishing 3^rd. Started 9^th in the feature and worked our way from the tail twice to finish a disappointing 7^th. I felt like we had a top 3 car and a 7^th place driver.

Saturday I headed to Zanesville to run Ed Watson’s late model. I was disappointed in our run and we didn’t make the show. Since I was running the late model, I hired good friend, Greg Schilling, to drive the mod. His brother Joe crew chief’ed and we all were hoping for a good evening. Kim drew a good pill to start Greg 4^th in the heat. Greg had a slight throttle push at the start of the race and this got him smacked around on the track which eventually cut a left rear tire down. This forced him to start 12^th in the consi. As they threw the green Greg was making a pass on the 2 cars in front of him. Apparently they did not like getting passed and he got tagged coming down the front chute and got yet another left rear flat. I hated the way the evening went for Greg, for I believe he would have done well if it had not been for the 2 flat tires.

Sunday we headed to Tyler for Road Warrior #2. They had 27 modifieds and we set 4^th quick time. We won the 1^st heat with a left front flat and started the pole of the feature. We led the first 27 laps due to a single file restart before any laps were in the books. There was a caution with 3 laps to go and I managed to finish 5^th. This made for an extremely quiet trip home. Sorry to all of those that I disappointed!

This week we plan to go to Skyline on Friday and to K-C on Saturday for $1,000 to win.

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

KJ Motorsports

Update #9

Race #14 & #15

By: Kenny JohnsonDate: 5-19-08

 Friday we left Parkersburg in the rain and headed back to Hilltop Speedway. To our surprise it was sunny and blue skies, which made for a really nice evening. But our racing wasn’t as good as the weather. During qualifications our car stumbled and was quitting and we got 16^th fastest. Came in and changed the fuel filter and cleaned up the distributor cap and went out for the heat starting 4^th. They watered the track and it was greasy and we finished 4^th. This forced us into the consi, starting on the pole. We didn’t even make it a lap and the car stumbled and quit forcing us to drop to the infield. We later found that we had water in our fuel tank.

Saturday we went to Tyler County and were sitting in the chute for hot laps and it started raining. After an attempt of getting the track ran in, rain came again and forced them to cancel.

Sunday, Midway Speedway was paying $1,000 to win and we headed that direction. We set fast time with a 15.15 and had to start 6^th in the dash. We wound up finishing 5^th and this started us 5^th in the feature. Midway is always a tough track to pass on and I was being surprisingly patient. We finally made it to 3^rd, but the leaders were a straight a way ahead. When the checkered fell we were within 2 car lengths of them and we managed a 3^rd place finish.

This weekend we will be at Elkins on Friday for a Road Warrior Tour race. Onto Zanesville on Saturday and then to Tyler on Sunday for another Road Warrior Tour race. Hope to see you there!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

KJ Motorsports

Update #8

Race #13

By: Kenny JohnsonDate: 5-11-08

Happy Mothers Day to my mom and all of the other mom’s out there!

Friday, Mother Nature was doing her best to win. All area tracks was cancelled due to rain. But we found Hilltop Speedway in Millersburg, OH still racing. So we headed north and they had 34 modifieds. I drew a pill #2 to start us on the pole of the 1^st heat race. Needless to say we were sitting in the chute and Mother Nature caught up to us. Rained out again!

Saturday we headed back down to Ohio Valley for double features. We started on the pole and ran 2^nd most of the race to Rod Sayre, but we kept the pressure on & eventually made the pass and went on to get the win. In the regular show, we started 3^rd in our heat race and finished 2^nd. Kim did the redraw and got us the outside pole. We took the early lead and led the first 18 laps. But Andre Layfield caught up to us in lap traffic and passed me off of turn 4 and we wound up finishing 2^nd. I’m learning, “If you ain’t first, 2^nd ain’t that bad!”

This weekend we will be going to Skyline on Friday and to K-C on Saturday for $1,000 to win.

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

KJ Motorsports

Update #7

Race #11 & #12

By: Kenny JohnsonDate: 5-5-08

Friday we went to Skyline despite what Mother Nature looked like. We got our hot lap session in and were sitting in the chute for our heat race when they called the races for rain. So when we go back this week it will be a complete new show.

Saturday we went to Ohio Valley Speedway. We set fast time again and finished 2^nd in the heat race. But because of the pill draw we start the pole of the feature. We were sitting in the chute again and the rain started and they had to cancel the races. But since all of the preliminary races were in, we will be having double features next week. So next Saturday will be a good night for fans to go and they can see 2 features for the price of one.

Sunday I got a phone call from Ed Watson asking me if I would drive his late model at Midway Sunday evening. Dad and I went over and they had 21 late models. We set 3^rd fast time and then things went down hill from there. We started 3^rd in the heat and finished 7^th and then started 13^th in the feature and finished 13^th. The car was extremely loose and after the race I told Ed what I felt it needed. If I get to drive it again we will need to make some changes, it definitely is a good car and I hope I get to drive it again sometime.

This weekend we will be going to Skyline on Friday and Saturday we will be going back to the Valley for double features. Hope to see you there!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

Update #6
By: Kenny Johnson,28 April 2008 

Friday we went back to Skyline hoping to better our last weeks finish. We made a few changes and the first was to find someone else to draw a pill besides me. Dad picked this week’s pill and started me one row closer which wasn’t much better but he’s not fired yet. Started 6^th in the heat and finished 3^rd in a 3 way battle for the win with Booger Garnes and Mark Dickson. Started 7^th in the feature and moved to 4^th but didn’t have anything for the top 3 and I faded enough that on the last lap we got passed to finish 5^th in the feature. We chose to stay after the races and try some things out. I made several laps and then Jason Canepari got in it and made some laps and last but not least Dad got in it. For not having been in a car for several years he showed he still has it in him. But I think next time we’ll get him a few cushions so he can see over the dash. LOL. He looked like a little kid sitting in there.

Saturday we went to Ohio Valley Speedway. We set fast time and won the first heat. After the heat they have a redraw for the top 2 finishers and Kim drew our pill to start us 4^th in the feature. On the first lap outside pole sitter, Doug Henry, broke. So, on the next restart I started on the outside pole. We took the lead on lap 2 and never looked back. The car was absolutely awesome and I just love the Valley! Tod and Tony from Hassy Chassis made it down to be there for our first win of the year.

Along with Hassy Chassis and Racersmate, I’d like to thank K-Graphics, Dickson Racing Shocks, Balderson Construction, H&S Construction, Laurita Excavating, Zemba Bros., Gene’s Trailer Sales, Billy Lloyd Racing Engines, WOC Designs & Billy Joe and Wanda Hammett. Also need to thank Jason Canepari and Tim Cooper for all of their help and dedication to making us a winning team. Without the 2 of them it would be nearly impossible to race!

This weekend we will be going to Skyline on Friday and Saturday we will be taking the mod to Zanesville where I will also be driving a late model. I just love pulling double duty, but if I don’t do well in either car, that just means I will be double aggravated!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

Update #5

Thursday we were invited to South High School to the Vocational Technical Center along with Greg Mitchell and also a person from the Admissions office of Ohio Northwestern University. ONU offers degrees in high performance motorsports. It was a fun day and the kids seem to enjoy the break from school.

Friday we went to Skyline Speedway for their season opener. I started the night off with a #50 pill pull. That started us 8^th in the 2^nd heat race. We made it to a disappointing 5^th place finish. This started us 14^th in the feature and Jason made several changes. The groove appeared to be the bottom, but our car would not go on the bottom like it needed to. So I chose to go high and the car started advancing. We made it to 3^rd and were close to passing for 2^nd, but the checkered kept us from making the pass. I was very please with the way the car drove. Still need to work on making it go on the bottom.

Saturday nights racing was a rain out. This weekend is undecided at this time. Keep checking the web site for schedule updates. I want to thank Wayne Cornell for designing and maintaining the web site. If anyone needs a site for their business or personal use, please give Wayne a call.

Along with our existing sponsors, we also picked up H&S Construction. They are building my 40’x60’ garage and should be complete by mid May. I can’t wait, nor can Kim so she can park her car in the garage!

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,

KJ

Race: Tyler Co. Opener 4/5/08
Track: Tyler Co. Speedway
By: Kenny Johnson,7 April 2008

Dirt Modified Magizine - March 2008

Kenny Johnson "Two-time AMRA Road Warrior Champion and 2001 AMRA National Champion"

"If you aint first...you are last"--Kenny Johnson

"He's a guy I'd pay to watch to race."--unknown AMRA competitor

By Scott Wolfe

Three Wide Media

For years, 39-year old Kenny Johnson of Mineral Wells, West Virginia dreamed of becoming a late model champion.When the finances of running his own late model team crumbled, Johnson quit racing.Quit, theoretically that is.He simply walked away from the sport that he loved. If he couldn't do it right, the Two-time AMRA (American Motor Racing Association) Road Warrior Tour Champion and 2000 National AMRA Champion decided he wouldn't race at all.

That was the fall of 1998.A month later, two friends came along and offered Johnson not just one ride, but two. Veteran Late Model driver Jr. Simmons offered a ride in his car and the other offer was in Tommy Powell's modified.

Said Johnson, "It's funny how things work out.Quitting was a hard decision, but I knew I couldn't do it right on my own finances.One day I was out of racing, and a few weeks later I had two cars.I never missed a race."

Since that fateful winter, Johnson has driven late models, semi-lates, street stocks, pure stocks, and modifieds. With 23 years of experience, the veteran is versatile and is able to squeeze the most out of even the most rugged jalopies. But it was that 1999 season and his first experience in a modified that changed Johnson's career.

"Jr. and I parted ways in the late model. I found driving a modified somewhat challenging," noted Johnson. "Tommy bought a new car in 2000 and we literally set the world on fire.Shirley Paul Keffer came aboard to help us and we put together one of those dream seasons. We won 24 features in several different states and won the AMRA National Championship."

"Every year we set our goals high.In order to be successful, you have to set them high.After a 24-win season, you say to yourself, 'we did it once, we can do it again'; but it just doesn't happen that way.It seems every season is depressing after that one," laughed Johnson in a tongue-in-cheek fashion.

"But really now, modified racing is so competitive.Every year you have some driver who excels. 2000 just happened to be my year.I think I have a few good seasons left in me though," said Johnson. "Racing is my passion."

Although he hasn't yet replicated the 2000 season, everyone in modified racing now knows Johnson by name.He is the man to beat.Overall, he has won over 50 modified features and 14 late model mains.

Going on the road is tough. Especially for a working man.Fortunately, the mechanical designer for Aker-Kvaerner Engineering has worked his way into management in the drafting engineering department after 19 years of service.

 Doing a lot of work with CAD programming, Johnson has had a big part in the design of the DuPont plant near Washington, WV. His hard work there has allowed him to take off early a "time or two" during the racing season to get to the distant venues of the AMRA tour.

Johnson almost pulled off what no other driver has done in the 18 year existence of AMRA--win the National Title and Road Warrior Tour in the same year.When he won the National points title (2000), he was second in Road Warrior Tour points, just 22 out of first.When he won the 2001 Road Warrior Title, he was second in National Points, just two points away from being champion.

The Road Warrior tour is a touring group of the AMRA elite, featuring many of the best drivers in the nation, especially those from the Midwest.The group, featuring the RWT "warriors" vs the local top guns, runs nearly every week at a different track in several Midwestern states, while at the same time recording National points at as many as 20 different sanctioning tracks.

The AMRA is big in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Stars like Kenny Johnson keep the series strong.

"Winning fans over with his outgoing personality and 'stand on the gas' driving style, Kenny has a loyal following wherever he races," noted AMRA publicist and race director Steve Davis."Seemingly fearless behind the wheel, he prefers running the extreme high line that few would even consider to attempt. In what I would consider an ultimate compliment, I overheard a fellow competitor say "He's a guy I would pay to watch race". He's that impressive and that exciting."

"Up until recently I had the 'If you aint first, you are last' attitude," chuckled Johnson."I had that motto long before Ricky Bobby (Talladega Nights). In some ways it contributed to my success, but at other times I crashed out of the race going for first when I should have settled for second.I have adjusted that motto just a little to -- 'If you aint first, it aint that bad', and as a result it has really made me a better driver."

"But, I aint good at what I call 'settling'.If I'm 'settling" for position, I feel like I don't have that drive to win.It is hard to tell myself that it's ok NOT to win."

Although Johnson sees himself as "mellowing some", fans probably don't notice.One K-C Raceway fan in particular noted, "I don't know how he makes that thing stick.He defies the law of gravity."

Johnson, known as the "Southside Flyer" and simply "KJ", hasn't re-written the physics books yet, but sometimes it seems that way.He flat-foots his Hassey Chassis House Car around the upper boundaries of a cushion, where the common man seldom ventures."KJ" is a modern day explorer, and shows no fear.

The competitive spirit has always been the driving force in Kenny Johnson. At age six he knew he wanted to be a racer.No venues for young racers were available locally, so Johnson opted for pee wee football. That competitive desire to compete and win followed Johnson throughout high school where he excelled on the gridiron until his graduation in 1986.

“I played varsity football and raced at the same time,” asserted KJ.“When football season rolled around, I didn’t have much time.I’d play football on Friday and race on Saturday.”

Johnson's racing sometimes looks like a perfectly orchestrated football play, where the aggressive Johnson follows his blockers until just the right moment, then jukes and jives through the pack like an elusive halfback.

Kenny's dad Gene Johnson was a pretty good race driver himself.Today, he is Kenny's number one fan, and at one time never missed a race. The elder Johnson was then stricken with Parkinson's disease, and although he still makes many of the races, sometimes the longer hauls are just too much.

"Dad is my number one fan," asserted Johnson."Then it is a close second between Mom (Frances) and my girlfriend Kim.My family is very supportive of me."

Often known as the race track practical joker, Gene Johnson is well-known across the Ohio Valley.A young Kenny Johnson thought he was the brunt of one of the jokes when Dad Gene asked, "Do you want a street car or a race car for your (16th) birthday?"Kenny replied without an ounce of serious thought, "A race car!"

"Here I was, a naive 15-year old someday wishing I could be a race car driver," chuckled Johnson, "and bam, they surprised me.Right there in the garage was a great looking race car."

That was 1986 between Johnson's Junior and Senior year.The car was a 3275 pound semi-late, a former Doll brothers' car driven by the legendary Earl Hill.In 1990, Johnson moved up to late model and in 1995 he was the Ohio Valley Speedway (Lubeck, WV) late model track champion.

“I remember my first win at Ohio Valley Speedway in the Late Model and my first championship.Those were two special times for me,” noted KJ.“Another memorable race that stands out was in the modified in 2000 when I won the Balderson Dodge 40 at Zanesville. I came from 18th to win the $2,500.“

Johnson’s road to success was not easy.Many hurdles stood in the way of success. A devastating fire burnt Johnson's garage to the ground three weeks before the 1992 racing season began.Friends, family, and fellow racers came together to get Johnson on the track again later that season.

One of Johnson's greatest moments was also one of his biggest disappointments.In August 2007, Johnson came up just 8 feet short of winning the American Heritage 101 at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex. "It was a thrill to run second, but a big disappointment to know I lost a chance at a Harley Davidson."

 The winner (Steve Arpin) had a choice of winning $10,000 or the Harley. “I really wanted that Harley.”

In 2003-2005, Johnson ran his own team, then ran the Hassey Chassis House car of Todd Buckhalter in 2006.In early 2007 Johnson was offered the full-time ride in John Cornell's Rocket Chassis Late Model, but after two-months of chasing his dream, Johnson felt he wasn't doing his owner justice.

Johnson had nearly always been in the top ten, but his "If your not first" motto stood in the way. Johnson likes to be number one. His pursuit of being number one is what drives him.

Buckhalter quickly gained wind of Johnson's availability. Johnson explained, "I told Todd that I couldn't afford to do ANYTHING.He said, 'you don't have to, I'll send you a car'." And thus the Johnson was back in the Hassey House Car.

 "We are always trying something new with the car.We are the Research and Development team of modified racing," laughs Kenny. "We are starting to sell a few cars here in the area because of our success. And all the winnings go right back into the car." "As part of our partnership, I offer set-ups to other Hassey Chassis drivers.If they have issues, I'm glad to help."

The Hassey Chassis is fitted with a 421 Billy Lloyd Racing Engine and maintained by Johnson, Jason Canepari, and Tim Cooper with sponsorship from Racersmate, DRS (Dickson Racing Shocks), Keith Emrick of K-Graphics, Gene Casto, and American Racer Tires.

In lieu of chasing points, Johnson plans on running more of the big money shows in 2008. Some of his favorite races of interest are the Bluegrass Bash, Volusia Co. Winter Nationals, The Heritage at Brushcreek, and Stateline (New York).

"Racing is a funny thing.It's like a legal drug.I can't imagine doing anything else.When I think of spending money on a new washer or something around the house, I just cringe.But I don't hesitate spending a couple hundred bucks on the race car. I’m hooked. I wanna race till I die if I can. Racing will always be in my future."

And for racing fans, that is a good thing. The "KJ's" of the sport keep it exciting and help make modified racing one of the nation's most popular racing series.

Kenny Johnson--He is definitely a "guy I'd pay to watch race!"

KJ

Update #2

Race: Florida Speedweeks 2/10/08 - 2/16/08
Track: Volusia & East Bay
By: Kenny Johnson,19 Feb 2008

Our first race night in Florida was Sunday, Feb. 10^th at Volusia County Speedway. They had 90 + cars. Tim Cooper drew us a good pill to start us 3^rd in our heat race. They were taking the top 2 out of the heat. We finished 2^nd and this started us 14^th in the feature. Made our way to 8^th & was attempting to pass NASCAR racer Ken Schrader on the outside of turn 4. As we came down the front chute he was unaware that I was there and I ended up with a left front flat tire. Came in the pits and got it changed and went to the tail. Came from the tail back to finish 12^th. We were happy with the first night.

Night #2 wasn’t as good. We got caught up in a wreck in our heat and had to go to the tail & came back to 4^th and the 3^rd place car checked up in front of me. I hit them and that spun me out, so I just went to the pits. We were starting 8^th in the B-main and I felt good about winning it to put ourselves in the A-main. But this is where things turned bad. We entered turn 1 and I saw a lane open on the bottom. I was wide open when the outside pole sitter spun and attempted to do a 360 and came right down into us & the outcome was not good. It did some major frame damage and body damage. At first look I was ready to pack it in and head back north. But Tim Cooper, Sean Schobelock and Tod Buckhalter felt that it could be fixed enough to continue racing. So the next day we found a couple of trees and the guys pushed and pulled and cut some tubing out and put some tubing in and before you know it, it was ready to race. Tuesday night’s race was cancelled due to rain. So Wednesday we headed to East Bay Raceway Park.

Our first race there was on Thursday and things started off kind of rocky. Our hot lap session, the car would not stay running, it was running out of fuel. Come to find out, the force of the wreck caused the fuel pick up hose to go to the front of the fuel cell and curl up. Got that fixed and in qualifying we spun the left rear caliper and had no brakes. They were doing group qualifying and we were 7^th fastest. Started 7^th in the heat and came up to 4^th and was racing 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd. It made for a really good race but we finished 4^th and had to start 8^th in the B-main. They were taking 4 and we finished 4^th. Started 23 rd and passed about 4 cars in the first couple of laps and the car lost all electrical power and that knocked us out of the feature. As it turned out we had a problem with the battery terminal which probably stemmed from the wreck.

The next night we were 5^th fastest in our group and started 5^th in our heat. I could not go anywhere in our heat and we wound up finishing 7^th. This put us in the C-main and we finished 2^nd. That put us in the B-main staring 18^th and they were taking 4. The race was set for 15 laps but on lap 6 there was wreck that took sometime to clean up, so they cut the race back to 12 laps. We made it up to 5^th and were right on the 4^th place car when they threw the checkered. So we didn’t make the A-main.

On Saturday they line up all the races from the points of the first 2 nights. We were 24^th out of 94 cars. Started 3^rd in the heat and finished 3^rd. Started 6^th in the B-main and they were taking 4. For whatever reason the car would not hook up at all & we fell backwards and I eventually pulled off. So we did not make the big race. I’m not sure where the car is set up wise after the wreck. Now that we are back I’ll have to get it up on the set up stands and see how the car really is.

I’d like to thank everyone that helped get us down there and also those that helped. The Schilling Brothers was at Volusia for 3 days giving us a hand and keeping us laughing! Also, Tod Buckhalter of Hassy Chassis, Tim Cooper and fellow racer from Chillicothe, Sean Schobelock. Also giving a hand was former mod racer Rick Logan and his crew member Dave.

On other news from Florida a Mid Ohio Valley racer won the big show at East Bay, winning $8,000. Louie Krushansky and Team #23 put WV on the map in Florida Speedweeks. It was a great race to watch and helped make my trip worth while to see Louie and his team in victory lane. It proves that our area has just as tough of competition as anywhere.

Providing the car checks out ok and we get everything back together we plan on going to Western Kentucky Speedway on March 22^nd for $6,000 to win.

Remember! To make this work, support those that support us!

Thanks again for your support,