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Mitchell, Rodriguez and Wise Gear-Up for First Three USAC National Events
By Troy Hennig, JWMM Media Relations
(FEBRUARY 2, 2009 - IRVINE, CA) – JW Mitchell Motorsports, LLC is excited to announce their involvement in the first three USAC National Sprint and Midget races. The first race will be held in Phoenix, AZ at the Manzanita Speedway. The race is called The Copper on Dirt and will take place February 20 and 21. The next event will be held in Las Vegas, NV at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track. The Super Sprint Classic will race on February 25. The third leg of schedule will take place at Perris, CA. The Sokola Shootout takes place Saturday night, February 28, at the Perris Auto Speedway. All three events are being billed as How the West is Won. Please visit www.usacracing.com for more information about these individual events.
The team will consist of three talented drivers including Western States Midget winner and CRA front-runner Matt Mitchell, two-time Western USAC Midget Champion Johnny Rodriguez and two-time USAC National Champion Josh Wise. Mitchell will be doing double duty during the first three events. He will drive the #37 Maxim/Ott sprint car while piloting the Spike/Esslinger Ford #37 midget. Rodriguez will drive the #87 Spike/Esslinger midget. Wise gets the chance to drive the #87 Maxim/Ott sprint car for all three events. Wise is also scheduled to run a midget for Craig Armstrong during the Western swing.
All three drivers just completed racing at the 23rd Annual Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa, OK. Both Rodriguez and Wise transferred from the C mains into the B mains. Rodriguez suffered some bad luck and finished 18th in the B main. Wise was able to pass drivers but ran out of laps and finished 10th in the B main. Mitchell won the G main event and went on to finished 16th in the F main. The three drivers did very well considering that 281 drivers competed during the five night racing format. “Even though Matt did not fair as well as myself or Josh, he did a great job when you consider the level of competition at this race,” said Rodriguez.
Matt Mitchell is at the forefront is this three-headed driving monster. Mitchell has been a mainstay driving for his family and continuing his learning experience racing sprints and midgets. Mitchell plans on racing most of the CRA sprint car series and the Western States Midgets schedules. He is also hoping to make some National USAC event in the mid West his year. “I am excited to not only race with Josh and Johnny these upcoming three races, but also learn from them when at the track,” said Mitchell. “Both guys are true professionals and champions of the sport,” said Mitchell. “I hope to learn from them and translate it into a break out year in 2009.” Helping Matt achieve his racing goals include his mom, Kim, and sisters, Erika and Kory.
Wise comes into these races with some nostalgia on his side. “The first time I was ever hired to race was driving Nick Mitchell's #37 USAC Midget in 2000,” said Wise. “It is really cool to team up with someone I have had such a long relationship with.” Wise is also focused on helping the team succeed. “I am really looking forward to helping Matt out for these three races,” said Wise. “I have known Matt since I was ten years old. He is like a younger brother to me.” The last time Wise raced at Manzanita he ended up in victory lane during the 2006 Western World Championship. Yet, it's been a while since he last raced a sprint car on dirt. “I have not raced a sprint car on dirt since April 2007 at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana,” Wise said. For more information about Josh please visit his website at www.joshwiseracing.com
Rodriguez is not only slated as the driver but he has dedicated the last month to get the cars ready for this upcoming Western Swing. Rodriguez, who lives in Galt, CA, wakes up about 3 am in the morning on Monday and drives the six hours plus to get into Los Angeles early enough on Monday to start his work week in the shop. He then spends the rest of the week in L.A before coming home on Friday nights. “It's not fun leaving the family behind all week but when the cars hit the track I know it will be worth it,” said Rodriguez on his cell phone somewhere near Bakersfield. He also credits the whole team for their hard work. “Marty Golden, Marty Golden III and Antonio Zacarias are just great guys to work with,” said Rodriguez. “Their dedication makes this whole process of three cars a lot easier.”
JW Mitchell Motorsports, LLC would like to thank their loyal sponsors including; Maxim Chassis, Don Ott Racing Engines, Two Feathers Ranch LLC, Mancha Realtors, Sierra Springs Water and ART Speed Equip.
For more team information please contact Johnny Rodriguez at [email protected]
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