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Jamie Ball- Last Lap Pass

Jamie Ball- Last lap pass
6/6/2011
(White Lightning Motorsports) –

This week the L & J Automotive #5Jr would race on both Friday and Saturday at the Knoxville Raceway in the 360 and 305 division. I was eager to get back on the track after my hard charge from 16th to 3rd last week in 305 competition. Being able to work my way through the field last week really gave me a boost of confidence for the next week.

Friday- June 3, 2011
On Friday the 360 class would support the Masters Classic field. I would start off the night by recording the 10th fastest lap time overall. This would set me up to start 4th in the 2nd heat race. I knew that all I needed to do was finish in the top 4 in the heat and then I would stand a good chance of making the invert in the feature. The green flag would drop and I would maintain 4th place for three of the seven laps until I jumped the cushion off turn four and smacked the wall hard. The hit would bend a right rear wheel and also hurt the Jacob's ladder. I would go onto to finish 6th place. Due to not making the top four transfer I would have to run the B-Main. I would start 8th in the B-Main and would go onto finish 12th. The car just would not roll the corners well and I wasn't able to run the top line. It was definitely not the results I was looking for but “We live to race another day”.

Saturday- June 4, 2011
On Saturday I would run the 305 class as we continue to chase our goal of a 305 Points Championship. I would start the night off by qualifying in the last session of group qualifying. My fastest lap would be a 16.925. That would be good enough to earn me quick time and a NEW TRACK RECORD. My time would beat the previous 305 Track Record of 17.026 set by Brandon Wimmer in 2008. After qualifying I would start 4th in heat one . After the first start Tasker Philips would come to a stop and I would inherit the first row outside starting spot. The green flag would drop I would lead all six laps and go onto to win by over a straightaway. After the heat would be the A-Main. Since I would quick time I was hoping for a small invert. Kevin Swindell was quicktime in the 410s and he would draw a #6 invert. This was great for our team as it was the lowest pill that could be drawn. We would start 6th place in the 305 A-Main. The green flag would fly and I would be in 4th place coming out of turn two. Lap by lap I would slowly pick off the 2nd and 3rd place cars of Tasker Phillips and Carson McCarl. With three laps to go there would be a single file restart and I was sitting in 2nd place. I was running the top side as hard as I could and was committed to making it work. Bart Fredricson who was the leader was running tight on the bottom. As the white flag flew we crossed the flag stand side by side. I drove the car hard into the corner and would come out of turn two with the lead. I knew Bart was on the bottom so to ensure a last lap pass by him I would cover the bottom in turn three and four and go onto win my first A-Main at the Knoxville Raceway. I have been so close the past four (305) races and it felt so good to finally get a win. There is no better feeling than pulling off the scales and onto the victory lane platform at Knoxville Raceway. It was a dream come true to be able to experience it. I give the credit to my crew for this win. The car was perfect, it was on a rail. They make my job easy by making sure the L & J Automotive #5Jr is prepared every time it hits the track. Also those who deserve credit for this win are Ostrich Racing Engines, Super Shox and Sweet Manufacturing. My engines, my shocks and my steering gears are the best available products on the market.

The next time that White Lightning Motorsports plans to race is on Friday June 10th in the 305 class and Saturday June 11th in the 360 class. Both nights we will be racing in conjunction with the World of Outlaws. 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.

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