Rookie driver takes win #8 out of 10 races and tops that by winning his 3rd championship in 3 years, while teammate Luis Martinez Jr races to a 3rd place finish.

November 27, 2011 (Baldwin Park, CA) – In what many observers described as one of the season's most exciting Super Late Model race, Rod Johnson Jr (RJ) fought off a hard late-race challenge from #70 Kevin Thompson to solidify the 8th win of his rookie season, thereby becoming the 2011 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Super Late Model champion at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale. Luis Martinez Jr also took part in this special weekend, joining RJ as his teammate aboard the #30 King Taco entry.  For Luis this was a return to familiar territory and whatever rust he may have acquired since he last drove a Super Late Model was absent, as he raced his way to a solid 3rd place finishing spot.

After an extended long break, the Position One Motorsports crew regrouped to finish up what has already been a very successful season.  Coming into the night’s race, RJ held a steady 24-point lead in the championship over track veteran Ryan Partridge, but one slight misstep would put RJ in danger of losing ground and possibly losing the championship.  The team got together the previous night to shake down the car and get back into racing mode after the long break.   All it took was 8 laps and the car was to RJ’s liking.  The setup was accurate and effective and on race day RJ would go on to post the fastest time on the timesheet for the second practice session.  He followed that up by seizing his 7th pole position of the season with a time of 17.675 seconds.  Luis’s return to Super Late Model competition after first competing in the series in 2008 and 2009 was also met with success.   The youngster, who hails from Pico Rivera, just came off a successful 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season where he finished 4th in the standings and was looking to get back into his familiar surroundings.  His day started off on a positive note when he put in a 4th place qualifying effort with a time of 17.952.  Both drivers were looking forward to the 100-lap event.

Lining up on the inside of row #1 RJ took the lead in commanding style and put off an initial charge by Partridge.  Both drivers were racing for the championship and both showed each other respect amid the tight racing.  RJ would eventually quell Partridge’s challenge and managed to put a 2-car length lead between him and Partridge, who eventually would have to tangle with RJ’s teammate Martinez Jr.  Both drivers raced each other hard.  Luis would try the inside line to get by Partridge but Partridge was able to defend his position.  The battle between the two track veterans was fierce and, at several points in the race, both made slight contact with each other.  By lap #33 Luis had managed to successfully get by Partridge for 2nd place and made his way toward his teammate for the lead.  RJ was racing unchallenged until lap #47 when the margin between him and Luis was under 1 second.  Unable to challenge him initially for the lead Luis kept the pressure on RJ waiting for a mistake, but RJ was smooth throughout the race. It wasn’t until lap #73 when Luis and Kevin Thompson caught up to RJ due to slower lapped traffic.  Thompson managed to take advantage of the slower traffic and got by Luis and RJ to take over the lead.  All looked lost and it appeared likely that RJ would end up taking 2nd, but the tenacity of this young driver would propel him to retake the lead.  With 4 laps left, RJ took the inside line and was able to overtake Thompson for the lead.  Three laps later, RJ crossed the finish line as winner and 2011 Lucas Oil Slick Mist Super Late Model champion.  Luis would cross the finish line in 3rd, capping off a very successful weekend with a very big exclamation mark.

Rod Johnson Jr – Driver #03 – “I can’t say enough about this team.  They worked so hard all year long.  Their determination and drive knew no limits and this championship was won on that and their collective efforts.  It was a pleasure driving for this group.  There are so many people to thank; my family, our sponsors King Taco, Sunrise Ford, Eibach Springs, Jan’s Towing, Bell Helmets and DJ Safety. Thank you to the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale and its staff for this season.  Thank you to Lucas Oil for supporting our series.  My respect goes out to all the competitors including Ryan Partridge for a great season of great competition.  Also, respect to Kevin Thompson for racing me hard and clean tonight. I am so thankful to everyone who helped me get here, including Luis Martinez, for giving me his support and the tools needed to make this championship a reality.”

Luis Martinez Jr – Driver #30 – “First off congratulations to RJ for his accomplishment.  What he has done is an incredible feat and to do it with Position One Motorsports is awesome.  First, I have to thank Position One Motorsports for this opportunity, as well as the crew, who worked with me all weekend to get this car to be a rocket ship.  The accomplishment is even more notable especially since we have an open comp engine, which actually is a disadvantage.  That being said, the overall performance of the car and the crew’s efforts in dialing it in didn’t allow the engine to be a factor.  I am very grateful to everyone who contributed to this performance and got me on the podium for my first and only Super Late Model race this year.”

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