76 Freedom Car finishes 14th in St. Louis, but driver Jerick Johnson takes over first place in the Rookie Points competition.
Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis was not particularly kind to Jerick Johnson and the 76 Freedom Car. But the American Speed Association Late Model Challenge Series rookie driver managed to parlay his back-of-the-field start into a 14th-place finish during the Sept. 14 race.
The race propelled Johnson into first place in Rookie Points competition, taking the lead from Billy Crane, who finished 22nd. Johnson also climbed into eighth place in the ASA Late Model Challenge Series, up from ninth after the Nashville race Aug. 15.
“It wasn’t exactly an easy weekend for us,” Johnson said, following the 100-mile, 80-lap race. “We struggled with tires during practice and qualification. We never got them the way we wanted. But considering the challenges we faced, I’m sure I speak for the whole Johnson Motorsports team when I say we’re very happy with what we accomplished here.”
Johnson and the Freedom Car, sponsored by The American Legion and The David Law Firm, escaped major mishap in a Lap 74 incident that sent two mangled cars to the garage. The Freedom Car sustained left-front bumper damage during the altercation at the track’s second turn, and slowed Johnson’s steady climb toward a top-10 finish.
Before the accident, Johnson had advanced as far as 12th place.
“In the end, things worked out pretty well for us,” car owner Jack Johnson said. “The team had worked very hard, and Jerick had to wrestle the car the entire 80 laps to come out ahead at the end of the day.”
The 76 Freedom Car will race Sept. 19 at Iowa Speedway in Newton, then compete in the season finale Nov. 9 at Memphis Motorsports Park, Tenn.
Legionnaires file into the hall before VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Commander Mike Helm introduces VA Secretary Robert McDonald before he addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
“That was wrong, and I have no excuse. I have great respect for those who’ve served our nation in Special Forces. They, and all veterans, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that provides them the care and benefits that they have earned. We at th
“In an attempt to connect with that veteran and make him feel comfortable, I incorrectly stated that I, too, had been in Special Forces,” McDonald said.
“There was no ill intent meant. If you look at 61 years of my biography and résumé, nowhere on there will you ever find Special Forces. I made a mistake. I apologized for that. What I was trying to do was connect with a veteran and get that veteran in
Marv Sandbek asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
Legionnaires ask VA Secretary Robert McDonald questions durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
VA Secretary Robert McDonald addresses members of The American Legion on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
A Legionnaire thanks Robert McDonald for his service durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
National Membership Chairman Ken Orock asks VA Secretary Robert McDonald a question durring his press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the annual Washington Conference. Photo by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
“I’m an Airborne Ranger,” Helm said. “I have a brother who’s Special Forces. I would never claim to be something that he was, and he would never claim to be something that I was. It’s a pretty big stretch to say that you were trying to bond wi
