Shake Up Jacob – A Lesson Learned is Something Never Forgotten

NEWTON (June 30, 2011) – Jacob set out for a three day weekend behind the wheel of his Don Ott powered Knology #99J 410, running two nights across the border in Minnesota and hoping to out whit the weather for a night back on the track at the familiar Huset's Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota. Unfortunately, the threat of some of the fastest thunder on dirt just wasn't enough to make Mother Nature shy away.

Jacob and the Ossenfort racing team made their way to Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minnesota for the Big Game Treestands Outlaw Sprint Car Shootout. The evening's format was a bit different than normal however. The drivers raced two heats, allowing everyone to earn a fair chance at passing points. Heat number two's starting position was settled by the reverse of your starting position in heat number one. The #99J started seventh in his first heat and passed his way into the top five, running out of laps to track down the fourth position. Since, Jacob started last in his first heat, he was on the pole (starting first) for heat number two. This half mile was tacky and fast, but it was as hard to find the right line as it was fast. "I don't know why, but I told myself to run a lower line and I was passed by four cars finishing in fifth." Jacob had to say of his second heat.

Although it wasn't the quite the finish he was hoping for, Jacob took his place on the front row for the start of the B-Main with pride. "I knew I had to finish fourth or better to make it to the A-Main," said Jacob. This time the lower line helped the #99J to second place finish, placing him in eighteenth for the start of the night's A-Main. The track kept its speed through the night and unfortunately it was a test to find the right line once again. "I went into the corner a little too high and it sent me flying right off the track," said Jacob. Even though it was a rough start to race, Jacob worked his way back through the field to a thirteenth place finish. "It was tough to be too upset about this finish. There were thirty-one 410's there and they were all fast." Jacob said of his night.

Night number two took the team to Princeton Speedway, in Princeton, Minnesota for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Show. For Jacob it was, "quick to forget", going from a half mile track to a quarter mile in just a few hours. "Short track racing can be difficult and this track is different from other short tracks. It has high banking and no walls, so if you go off the track, you're definitely wrecking something." Jacob said. Despite the size change, Jacob went out and qualified in twentieth to start the night.

"Although I qualified pretty well, I knew I was going to have to race hard in my heat to get to the A-Main. They took the top six and I started seventh," said Jacob. The team set the Knology #99J up to run the bottom of the track for the heat race. "I was excited about the set up because I wasn't real sure I liked the idea of running only six inches from the top of the track, just to fall off." Jacob said. Jacob was passed by one car and raced hard to get back to his starting spot, and by the end of the race you can bet he had it. He walked away with a seventh place finish in his heat.

The Knology #99J started second row, outside in fourth for the night's B-Main, which played out to his advantage. As most of the cars decided to run the top of the track, Jacob was able to put his bottom of the track set up to good work. He shot his way up to second, passing two cars and he was on the hunt for the leader when the checkered was thrown. His second place finish also landed him the twentieth starting position in the night's A-Main event.

"This main was the first main event show that I've made running with the World of Outlaws and I'm really proud of that." Jacob had to say. Although the race got a bit dicey, Jacob and his Don Ott powered Knology #99J, found competition with the guys running in eighteenth and nineteenth. "Everyone was just fast. It was a bit crazy with guys jumping the cushion and going off the track, just like I didn't want to do. We had a good race. Even though I ended the night in twentieth, it was hard to be upset. I made my first Outlaw A-Main event and a definitely learned a lesson. Next time I'm at a track with drop off's like this one, I'm going to run where I need to run. If the top is fast, I'm going to run it. If the bottom's fast, I'm going run it." Jacob said of his night.

With Mother Nature having her way one more time this season, the team cut the weekend short and made their way home on Sunday. "We were all a little bummed. We had the car set up for Huset's and I was really looking forward to getting back on the track with the Outlaws, especially since I've had some more experience there this year." Jacob had to say.

This weekend you can catch both Jacob and the Knology #99J and his sister Danielle running in the Knology #10D at their hometown track of Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City. Get out there and get your weekly fill of racing and treat yourself to one of the biggest and best fireworks shows in the region!

Online

To keep up with Jacob and Ossenfort Racing, check them out online at www.ossenfortracing.com!

For weekly updates on "Shake Up" Jacob Ossenfort, join our mailing list by emailing "Shake Up" to [email protected].

Knology

Life is about connecting. Person to person. Business to business. To help, Knology has developed the industry's most advanced fiber network, along with the services that bring it to life. Helping you connect with all the people who are important to you. For more information, go to www.Knology.com.

Super Clean Tunnel Wash

Located at 1501 Cambell Street in Rapid City, SD, Super Clean Tunnel Wash is proud to sponsor the #99J Sprint Car. The Super Clean Tunnel Wash, "Home of the $5.00 Express Wash", offers Free vacuums, Free use of drying towels, in addition to the 6 high pressure self serve bays where you have the convenience of paying in the bay with cash, coin or credit card. The 120 foot exterior express tunnel wash uses "Third Generation" foam along with the finest chemicals available to the car wash industry, to not only get your car clean, but Super Clean! If you have 3 minutes and $5.00, stop by and let them wash your car!

DonBar Cars

DonBar Cars has over 35 years of experience in the automotive industry. DonBar Cars specializes in Quality Vehicles priced under $4,000! They now offer financing! Let them help you with your next pre-owned vehicle purchase. For more information, visit www.DonBarCars.com or call Don at 605-393-CARS (2277)! Located at 3788 East Hwy 44, Rapid City, SD 57703.

BankWest

At BankWest, their goal is to meet all your financial needs, every day. They are ready with financial solutions for any stage of life. Whether you're just starting out, raising a family or nearing retirement, they have the tools to help you reach your short- and long-term goals. Located in Pierre, Mitchell, Rapid City, Vivian, Kadoka, Kennebec, Onida, Selby, Gregory and Winner. Call them today at 1-800-253-0362 and go to www.BankWest-SD.com.

Black Hills Powersports

They are a full service dealer of new and used powersports vehicles. Their new vehicle brands are YAMAHA ATV, motorcycle, utility vehicle, watercraft, snowmobile, scooter, KAWASAKI ATV, motorcycle, utility vehicle, watercraft. For more information, go to www.BlackHillsPowersports.com or call Todd at 605-342-5500. Located at 3005 Beale Street, Rapid City, SD 57703 (South side of I-90 between exits 60 and 61).

Vortex Racing Products
Vortex Racing Products is the industry leader in Sprintcar Wing design. From humble beginnings in 1995 where we began producing wings for our own use we quickly became engaged in producing wings for other race teams. Inspired by a life-long background in racecar design and manufacturing from our Dad, we (Paul and Lynton) continued to evolve into a company known for producing a product a little different from the rest. This ability to manufacture a Wing that is unique in design is what has been our success. With the use of our own race teams in Australia and America, we continually push the boundaries of design with an extensive testing program of our products each and every year. It is with our understanding of chassis design and manufacturing that we are able to communicate with our clients and tailor a wing package that best suits their driver, team and make of chassis. We call this," The Vortex Advantage". http://www.vortexracingproducts.com.au/

Ossenfort Racing would like to thank the following product sponsors; Weld Racing (www.weldracing.com), Rosenbaum's Signs (www.rosenbaumsigns.com), Wesmar Racing Engines (www.Wesmarracing.com), Don Ott Racing Engine (www.donottracingengines.com), and Maxim Racing Chassis (www.raceMaxims.com)

Jacob at Jackson Speedway (Laca Ossenfort Photo 2011)

KayLea Zumbach
KZ Communications
Newton, IA USA 
[email protected]