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Photos by Johns Racing Photos
Jason Statler heads for New Zealand to do battle
By Gary Thomas
Los Gatos, California - November 28, 2007...With the 2007 California sprint car racing season all said and done, former King of California Jason Statler is heading for New Zealand to compete in a handful of races during the month of December.
The Los Gatos driver is leaving today and will run in about five or so races for a couple of different car owners, before returning home to the state’s in late December. While in New Zealand Jason will be competing against some of the top names in all of sprint car racing including Joey Saldana, Craig Dollansky, Lucas Wolfe, Ricky Logan and Manny Moore. Results from his adventures in New Zealand can be found at http://www.statlerracing.com as they come in.
The ‘07 racing season was a bit of a roller coaster for Jason, but things began to pick up as the season wound down and everything was put into place. After getting the DF Rios Construction No. 00 team back together in late June, "The Big Guy" went on to have a handful of strong runs, despite having some tough luck during much of the later stages of the Summer and early Fall. The season came to end following a crash during the opening heat race at the Fall Nationals in Chico, but the performance level was definitely improving and that certainly leaves optimism heading into ‘08.
In August Jason and crew chief Mark Bristow picked up a new trailer, which was a big help in getting to the races and keeping everything organized as the Double Zero team didn’t have unload every week. It helped immensely in easing the uncertainty of not knowing if a trailer would be available to get to the track the following weekend. With everything coming together Jason was able to pick up a very special win in late September when he led all 50 laps to claim victory at Ocean Speedway’s Johnny Key Classic. It was a huge victory for the whole team and was a big confidence booster for Jason as the year came to an end.
In addition to the victory in the Johnny Key Classic, Jason also picked up a win in May at the Calistoga Speedway during the Golden State Challenge Series sanctioned Salute to Walter T Ross. He ended the season in a tie with Jonathan Allard for fourth in the final series standings with 18 top tens in 23 starts. The defending hard charger of year will be back from New Zealand in time to be part of the annual GSC awards banquet that takes place on January 5 at the Feather Falls Casino in Oroville.
Jason would like to thank all of his sponsors including: DF Rios Construction, Pheasant Run Shopping Center, D & D Roofing, YAK Vinyl Graphics, Kaeding Performance, Bell Helmets, Trimble Motorsports, Engler Machine & Tool, Weld Racing, Ringers Gloves, Rod End Supply and everyone who helps put the Double Zero on the track each and every week. He also wants to thank all the fans, GT Promotions and the various promoters for all their help and support of Statler Racing in 2007.
Statler Racing would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season. The team is looking forward to 2008 in more ways than one as Jason will also become a daddy for the first time in late April. For more information on Jason Statler log onto http://www.statlerracing.com
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www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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"The Los Gatos driver is leaving today and will run in about five or so races for a couple of different car owners, before returning home to the state’s in late December. While in New Zealand Jason will be competing against some of the top names in all of sprint car racing including Joey Saldana, Craig Dollansky, Lucas Wolfe, Ricky Logan and Manny Moore."
AND ALAN WAKELING!!!
Maybe even Whistledick!
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According to the WoO release announcing Craig Dollansky's win, Jason picked up a 3rd place Sat. night at Western Springs Speedway.
"Dollansky led all 25 laps, winning over New
Zealand native Jamie McDonald and fellow American Jason
Statler from California.
Other top contenders taking part in the event included multi-time champions
Allan Wakeling and Dean Brindle of New Zealand, along with American Ricky
Logan, who has already won a couple of events in New Zealand this season."
Way to go, Jason and congrats to Craig.
^ SkyRaider Ultralight -> ELSA
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