|
By: Stevie Kinser
Dodge City, KS (June 23, 2008) - Jason Sides pulled double duty this week-end at the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Boothill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway in Dodge City, KS. Sides not only partook in his normal driving duties, but also acted as a car owner for a second car on both Friday and Saturday nights. Sides pulled down his spare car for a close friend, Tim Shaffer, who had been relieved from his ride earlier in the week. Shaffer already had a plane ticket booked for the week-end, and with a low car count anticipated, Sides viewed it as an opportunity to lend a hand. Though only it was only for the week-end, the gesture has to be greatly appreciated and respected. There are very few people out there, and even less involved in a competitive sport, that will give a guy a shirt off his back. Sides proved to be one of those few this week-end.
Jason loves having his own team and being able to drive for himself, but it's certainly no secret that he is likely one of the lowest funded teams out on the Outlaw tour. Jason is also on tour with minimal help. Jason is joined only by his crew chief, Shane Finch, as the entire Sides Motorsports crew. In spite of his own situation, there were two #7s WTS, Don Ott, Maxims filling his pit box throughout the week-end, one with the "S" removed and the name Tim Shaffer decaled on the side. The week-end proved to be worthwhile for both Jason and Tim.
"This was great for me in terms of confidence," said Shaffer. "I have to thank Jason. We exchanged information throughout the week-end, and we both genuinely tried to help each other. He is a great guy and for him to bring his car down and do this for me, that's awesome. If you want to talk about friendship, you can't beat that."
Track conditions factored strongly throughout both night's of racing. The track was very heavy on Friday night and laid rubber early in the night during Saturday's show. There was little passing throughout either night's main events. For Tim and Jason, who did not qualify well on either night, the track conditions handicapped both their week-ends. Though Jason was not thrilled with the track on either night, he feels the fault lies with his on-going struggles in qualifying.
"We didn't qualify where we needed to, neither car," said Sides. "We did learn a couple things from Tim, and I think he did from us as well; but for me it's just all about qualifying. We have lost touch somewhere in that area. I hope we can take something from what we learned this week-end and continue to dig a little harder and get our game together."
Both nights of racing from Dodge City will be televised on the SPEED channel. Friday night's race will air June 28 at 3PM EST. Saturday's race is scheduled for July 6 at 4PM EST. Sides is currently making his way north. Jason will be racing his 360 with the American Sprint Car Series in Hartford, SD on Tuesday night. He will be back in Outlaw competition Friday at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND. The Outlaws conclude their week-end with a race at Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND on Saturday night.
Those in Grand Forks area have the opportunity to go meet with Jason and collect some autographs when River Cities Speedway holds a Meet &Greet Thursday from 5-8PM. For those not so fortunate, remember to log onto www.sidesmotorsports.com for the latest Sides Motorsports news and results.
Sides Motorsports would also like to thank the following sponsors for their support:
Wetherington Tractor Services, Inc.
Don Ott Racing Engines
Arctic Cat Motorsports
BR Motorsports
Dancer Logistics, Inc.
Duragloss
Four Seasons Radiators
Joe Gibbs Driven Oil
Maxim Racing Chassis
Mercury Printing Co.
VMAC Components
VRP Shocks
Weld Racing
WRT Web Designs
YAK Graphics
I am lucky enough to work at one of the best tracks
anywhere.
|
