Salem,
IN (March 23, 2003) -
19-year-old Evan Jackson begins his third
season with the Sunoco Super Series with the hopes of visiting victory
lane more often after getting his first taste of victory with the Sunoco
Super Series in 2002. Jackson led one lap in 2002, and that lap was the
last lap of the Winchester 100 Presented By Rev Up Sports Energy Drink,
at Winchester Speedway on June 22. Matt Hagans had led the entire event
until just after taking the white flag, Hagans slipped up the track
going into turn one leaving just enough room for Jackson to slip by and
take the lead. Hagans fought back, but could not catch Jackson in the
race to the checkers.
“That was a great victory
for my dad and me,” said Jackson. “Our team for the last two years has
basically been my dad and myself, with help and guidance from Bill
Rievley. If Matt hadn't slipped, I wouldn't have got past him, but I
managed to race myself into the right place at the right time to get
my first Sunoco Super Series wins!”
Jackson did not lead
another lap through out the rest of the season, but did post some good
numbers for a very low budget team. Jackson finished the 2002 season
in eighth place in Sunoco Super Series points, which included three
top-five finishes and a total of seven top-10 finishes. Jackson
claimed his first Sunoco Super Series Fast Qualifier award on
September 1 at Plymouth Speedway.
“We had a pretty good
season overall,”Jackson added. “Our goal for 2003 is to be in position
to lead laps and get some more victories. I feel if we focus on that,
it will also lead to a good finish in points.”
The Muncie (IN) native
successfully raced Baby Grand Stock Cars in 1999 and 2000 after
gaining racing experience in go-carts and motorcycles. Jackson spent
this past Speed Weeks in Daytona Beach, Florida helping South Carolina
late model racer Randy Gentry at the World Series Of Asphalt Racing at
New Smyrna Speedway. Veteran Crew Chief and fellow Muncie, Indiana
native Jimmy King ask Jackson to come down to help out Gentry.
“It was a good idea to go
down to Florida and work with Jimmy King on Randy's car, added
Jackson. “Jimmy has helped me learn a lot, he has so much experience
with late models and racecars in general. I am trying to learn as much
as I can from experienced people like Jimmy King and Bill Rievley so
that I can learn to set-up my racecars to be competitive and win
races.”
Jackson will campaign a
Port City Monte Carlo again in 2003. Jackson has secured sponsorship
help for the 2003 season from Jim Mougeotte's Great Deals Coupon
Magazine and Advanced Tool. In addition, Jackson will have the
continued dedicated support of his family behind him.
