Tough Luck Continues For Johnny VanDoorn; Focused On Future

COOPERSVILLE, Michigan (May 25, 2011) - - The tough luck for Johnny VanDoorn continues as the defending Champion Racing Association (CRA) champion endured another mechanical failure which stalled the opportunity for VanDoorn to return to victory lane at Baer Field Speedway in the past weekend’s Asphalt Wars 100.

The weekend was a tough one for the Kaos Motorsports team as problems trickled in underneath their No. 61 Paragon Corvette Reproductions / Baker Engineering / JEGS.com Chevrolet as practice set in. A broken rocker arm in the early stages of practice was a setback but as a championship caliber team should, they were able to overcome their misfortune and qualify a brilliant second with next to no practice time.

The team didn’t have a chance to show what type of car they really had as coming to the green flag for the Asphalt Wars 100; a brand new transmission seized which ultimately sent the No. 61 Paragon Corvette Reproductions / Baker Engineering / JEGS.com Chevrolet to the garage prematurely ending the team’s night.

VanDoorn was credited with a frustrating 28^th place finish.

“We cannot seem to catch a break,” said VanDoorn, a former CRA Rookie of the Year. “The guys on the Kaos Motorsports team busted their tails to repair the car after our issues in practice. Then to have the transmission issue at the beginning of the race really added fuel to the fire. We’ll get our luck turned around, this is a strong, confident team with a lot of great support and we’ll start earning the finishes we deserve soon.”

In order to keep his mind occupied, VanDoorn will spend this Holiday weekend competing in three events including the next round for the CRA Series. 

On Friday night, VanDoorn will race at Dixie Speedway in a Port City House outlaw car. The following night, he will head to Berlin (Mich.) Raceway where he’ll look to be victorious in a Port City Template house car. Memorial Day (Monday) signifies the running of the BPS 125 at Columbus (Oh.) Motor Speedway for the CRA competition.

“It will be an extremely busy weekend but I am looking forward to it,” said the Coopersville, Michigan native. “I like to think if I can stay behind the wheel of a race car, I can stay sharp and keep my name out there and do justice for all those who believe in me.”

He added, “Monday is our time to burst back onto the scene. We’re heading to Columbus with some serious determination. We will persevere and we will be back, you wait and see. I can’t do it though without the help of Butch (VanDoorn) and the rest of the Kaos Motorsports team.”

JVD and Co. continue to be appreciative to have the support of Baker Engineering, Earth Service and Supply, Jegs.com, Magic Transportation, Paragon Corvette Reproductions, Port City Racecars and R and R Wire Loom as sponsors on their Chevrolet bowtie.

In 65 races, Van Doorn has posted six poles, eight wins, 25 top-fives and 47 top-10 finishes including back-to-back CRA championships in 2009 and 2010.