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Photos by http://www.JohnsRacingPhotos.com
Statler Racing 2008 year-end recap
By Gary Thomas
Grass Valley, CA – November 10, 2008…Former King of California Jason Statler didn’t have the kind of 2008 racing season he had hoped for, but through it all was able to put together a trio of wins with three different racing series and the year was highlighted when wife Stephanie gave birth to the couple’s first child, baby boy Craig in late April.
Statler’s first victory on the season came during a Wright One Construction Series event at the Ocean Speedway on April 18 and it helped springboard him to a third place finish in the final track standings. He also charged to a strong third place run at the 48th running of the prestigious Johnny Key Classic at the tight bullring in late August and also finished third at the track on June 6.
Throughout the year Statler also made 20 of the 22 races with the Golden State Challenge King of California Series and ended the season eighth in points. His GSC campaign in ’08 was highlighted when he held off 13-time King of California Brent Kaeding and raced to victory on June 7 at the Petaluma Speedway, which moved him into a tie for eighth on the all-time series win list. Statler also finished runner-up with the Golden State Challenge Series in Petaluma on April 19.
During his career Statler had also tried for years to win a main event at the historic Calistoga Speedway half-mile and finally broke through in August of 2006, before backing it up with another victory in May of last year. “The Big Guy” came back this August and raced to another win at the high-speed track to mark the third straight season he has won at Calistoga and the second time he has won the California Civil War Series sanctioned Napa Valley Challenge.
Other highlights this year included a fourth place finish during Friday night competition at the Silver Dollar Speedway in early May, as well as a fourth place finish in the opening Civil War Series event of the season at Calistoga Speedway. Statler was also leading a Golden State Challenge Series feature in mid-July at Silver Dollar Speedway when he was taken out by a spun lap car early in the going, ending his chances at victory.
Statler also had the opportunity to compete during the inaugural USAC/CRA sanctioned Louie Vermeil Classic at the Calistoga Speedway on Labor Day weekend, marking the first time in a number of years he had taken off the wing of the Statler Racing No. 00 sprinter. The veteran driver proceeded to qualify 10th fastest on opening night and finish 11th in the feature before coming back to win his heat race on the final night and run 13th in the main event.
Bad luck seemed to find Statler more often than not this season however, and the year came to an abrupt end during a Civil War event at Placerville Speedway in September, where he was battling for the lead in the first turn until contact sent him violently upside down off the first set of corners. After having a pair of other very hard accidents earlier in the year, the decision was made to call it a season and focus on 2009. “We definitely hoped for bigger and better things this year and it certainly didn’t go how we wanted, but it wasn’t a totally bad year because we did get three wins and had some of other good runs during the season,” Statler said.
Giving Thanks:
In the racing world the support of people and sponsors mean everything to a team and Statler wanted to make sure everyone knows how much it means to him. “I have to give big thanks to Dave Rios and all of our other sponsors who have supported us this season. Even though the year didn’t go exactly as planned we’ll be back next year doing as much racing as possible and are looking forward to it. I also have to give much thanks to my crew chief Mark Bristow and crew-men Aaron and Kevin. These guys busted their tails for me this year and I really appreciate it a lot,” Statler commented.
Statler Racing would like to thank DF Rios Construction, Pheasant Run Shopping Center, D&D Roofing, Kaeding Performance, Dennis’s Auto Body, Ultra Shield, Yak Graphics, Stephanie’s Custom Interiors, Rod End Supply, Weld Wheels, Pro Shocks, Santo Mauro Racing Products, Bell Helmets, Trimble Motorsports, B. Scadden Designs, Kistler Motors and Maxim Chassis for their support this season.
Statler is also in the process of moving to Grass Valley and commented how much he’s looking forward to getting everything settled and situated. “Things have been a little hectic getting everything moved and I’ve been going back and forth from the shop in Fremont a bunch trying to get everything ready and set up at our new place,” he commented. “But our house is pretty nice in Grass Valley and its really quite so it should be a great place to raise our boy and we’re excited about it.”
Statler Racing is also cuurrently looking for more sponsors in hopes to run the full Golden State Challenge Series schedule once again next year. For more info on the Double Zero Racing Team please visit http://www.statlerracing.com
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2004 King of California Jason Statler drove the DF Rios Construction, Pheasant Run Shopping Center, D & D Roofing No. 00 to three overall victories this season.
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