NACHES, Washington -- Jeff Jefferson, driver of the MJ2 Racing Chevrolet, is coming home this Saturday night for the NASCAR Camping World Series race at Evergreen Speedway located in Monroe, WA. Jefferson grew up watching his father's team successfully compete at the 5/8-mile paved oval and is looking to etch his name in the record books alongside his dad.
Jefferson has seven starts at Evergreen Speedway in NCWS competition since 1999 and has scored one Coors Light Pole Award, four top five and five top ten finishes in those races. "I just love the place," Jefferson said. "I have won there in a tour car and have been so close in the Camping World Series cars."
Jefferson's love affair with Evergreen Speedway dates back to his childhood. Although he was too young to recall the glory days of his father's (George Jefferson) team with his uncle (Harry Jefferson) behind the wheel, he fondly remembers the years when Derrike Cope and Chad Little piloted his dad's cars.
"The years Chad and Derrike drove for my dad helped propel their careers so they could make the move back east and have success in NASCAR's top series," Jefferson stated. "Evergreen has so much history and has hosted so many great events over the years. The fans there absolutely love the West series, especially on the 5/8-mile."
While Jefferson remembers the history fondly he is solely focused on the present. His return to full-time competition in the NCWS this season has been fraught with frustration and disappointment. Through eight races he has seen good finishes disappear in the blink of an eye. "I am just hoping for something positive at this point," Jefferson said. "Racing is a pretty humbling deal. I never thought we would be in this position but you have to create your own luck and luck is something that has not been on our side this season."
"We tested OK at Evergreen," Jefferson offered. "But we still have a long way to go. Hopefully we can turn our season around this weekend and if there is a place that I know we can run well at it is Monroe."
Jefferson drives a team car to Jim Warn and is sponsored by MJ2 Racing, Gran Prix Imports, and Leupold Optic. The car is powered by a Chevrolet NASCAR Spec Engine and sits atop a Hopkins chassis. Jefferson has 32 career NCWS starts with one win, 8 top five and 14 top ten finishes along with two Coors Light Pole Awards. Jefferson is currently 13th in the NCWS standings after eight races with one top five and two top ten finishes.
The Toyota/Concept Race Cars and Parts"150" at Evergreen Speedway is round nine of the 13-race NASCAR Camping World Series-West schedule for 2008. The race marks the 50th NCWS event at the "Superspeedway of the West' since 1964. 2008 is the 55th year of competition for the NASCAR Camping World Series-West.
