5/1/2011
Jamie Ball
Jamie Ball- Consistent Start to 2011
Jamie Ball- Consistent Start to 2011
(White Lightning Motorsports) –
This week the L & J Automotive #5J would race on Saturday April 30, 2011 at the Knoxville Raceway in the 305 division. This season I will be primarily running the 305 division with some 360 competition mixed in as well. Last weekend was opening night and after a solid practice night the previous night I was really excited to get racing. I would start off the night by drawing 49 out of 52 pills. This would make the night a little tougher as I would have to start last in the first heat race. Drawing that bad always makes it tougher but it also a solid way to get prepared for the A-main by being able to gauge myself against the competition. After hot laps I would register the fastest lap out of all of the 305 competitors. Being fast time gave me the confidence I needed going into the heat race. I was scheduled to line up 9th out of 9 cars; however one of the competitors was unable to make the call which would move me up into the 7th position. The green would drop and I would quickly work my way to 4th. A yellow flag on the white flag would set up a green, white, and checkered and I would go onto pass one more car to finish a very solid 3rd place. Next up was the A-Main and I was scheduled to start 5th position. The track had slicked off quickly and was appearing to be taking rubber so I knew passing was going to be limited. I needed to get out towards the front in a hurry if I had any chance of victory. The green would fly and I would quickly race into second place behind Carson McCarl #97. The duration of the 12 lap race I would spend on the bumper of the #97. The rubber down surface made the track a one lane track and the only hopes of winning would come if McCarl would slip off the bottom groove. The 12 laps went quickly and McCarl was able to hold his line the entire time. I was there and I was fast but just wasn’t able to make a move. McCarl did what he had to do and I congratulate him and his crew on their victory. Although we come to the track in pursuit of a victory a second place finish is more than okay with our team. A 2nd place is a great way to start the year out, especially since we are chasing the Lucas Oil Championship Cup Series 305 Championship. My car was great and this race leaves me with a lot of confidence going into next week. As of week 1 I sit 2nd in the points with 121, down a mere 12 points to Carson McCarl #97. We will take what we learned this week and build on it for the years to come.
The next time that White Lightning Motorsports plans to race is on Saturday May 7, 2011 at the Knoxville Raceway in the 360 sprint car class. This week will be the first time in my life that I will get to race my dad (Larry Ball Jr). We will both be competition in Team WLM 360 sprint cars. I will be #5JR and Larry will be #5J.
Keep an eye on my progress this week and beyond at www.jamieball.com
If you would like to receive the weekly releases, send an email with the subject line “Jamie” to jamie@jamieball.com
White Lightning Motorsports would like to thank L & J Automotive, L & J Enterprise Inc., AIB College of Business, Timber Line Tree Service, JJ Kane Auctioneers, Sweet Manufacturing, Iowa State Savings Bank, Fragola Performance Systems, VP Racing Fuels, Bell Helmets, Keizer Wheels, Driver Websites, Vortex Wings, Hoosier Racing Tire, DMI, King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, Wilwood Brakes, and all other family and friends for their support.