October 7, 2001

Johnny's Notes On The Saturday Race At Houston Texas

Johnny, driver of the #64 AutomationDirect/Eaton Cutler-Hammer Jaguar, provisionally finished 10th in today’s race…

Unofficially, he is tied with Brian Simo with 255 points for second place in the series driver’s championship. The tie-breaker will give second to Simo based on a victory earlier this season.

Johnny commented on the race, “We ran out of gas at the end. I think the lack of cautions hurt us. I ran around the last two laps with the fuel pressure gauge on zero. The last lap was sheer will power.” Johnny managed to roll the Jaguar over the finish line by milking fuel out of both fuel pumps and out of the starter.

Additionally, Johnny noted “I was having a great time running towards the front all day with Paul. It was good, hard driving on both our parts. I was trying not to do anything stupid and to drive smart. I picked it up but got in some water on the track and bobbled just enough to let him get by me. After that, I was trying to be smart and figured I would just take my third place finish, but then we ran out of gas.”

“This has been my best season ever in Trans-Am. We have wrapped up our best finish ever in the Driver’s Championship points standings, collected five top-three finishes, never finished out of the top-ten all season, and we had six “Fast-Five” starts. Additionally, we finished every lap of the season (something no Rocketsports driver has ever done). We generated a lot of TV exposure for all our sponsors with our car that is loved by all and definitely stands out in the crowd.”

“My association with Rocketsports Racing this year has been everything I had hoped for and knew it would be. The guys have been great to work with and have always given me a great competitive car. I’m already looking ahead to next season.”

Johnny, Julie, and the rest of the teams hard work at each event is expected to have wrapped up the Hi-Tech Trailers Owner’s Championship award. This award is based on “giving back” to the community by attending events such as Children’s Hospital visits, event promotional appearances, sponsor visits, autograph sessions, being at all driver meetings on time, providing fans with hero cards and information about the car and team, etc.

Rocketsports Racing played the key roll in winning the Manufacturer’s Championship for Jaguar.

Paul Gentilozzi wrapped up the 2001 Tran-Am Driver’s Championship. Congratulations goes out to him and all his team for the achievement. The race was won by Justin Bell (his second consecutive win) followed by Brian Simo and Michael Lewis.