AURORA, Oregon — Jim Warn of Aurora, Oregon and driver of the GPI Performance Chevrolet continues to build confidence in his second year in the NASCAR Camping World Series. Returning to Phoenix this season, Warn is looking for redemption as a top ten run was snatched from his grasp last season late in the event. Warn is focused on a top finish this season in the Jimmie Johnson Foundation “150” at Phoenix International Raceway Thursday, April 16.
"If you are not on your toes you’ll get bit [at Phoenix]."— Jim Warn
“Phoenix is really a fun place to race,” Warn said. “It is one of the few times we get to race at speed on a bigger track. I learned a lot last season about how to drive the car through the corners and how important the set is for the long run.”
Last season Warn started 17th in the 150-lap race and had moved up to the 8th position by lap 100. After pitting for tires and fuel, Warn restarted 14th and was running 11th on lap 112 when his night ended. “You put the past out of your mind pretty quickly,” Warn continued. “We learned a lot and I am ready to get back on track at Phoenix.”
The ‘Desert Mile’ has been host to 23 stand alone NCWS races since 1978 with 17 different drivers making their way to victory lane. Warn hopes to add his name to the record books this weekend. “Phoenix would be the perfect place to get our first win,” Warn said. “We have a real good car for the race with a new Freight Train Peters engine under the hood. We are excited.”
“Racing at Phoenix can lull you to sleep in those big sweeping corners and if it does it will bite you. You can’t really relax for a second because things happen so fast that if you are not on your toes you’ll get bit.”
While the race is what each driver prepares for, it is qualifying that will test the team as Phoenix usually draws one of the largest fields during the year. “Everyone wants to race at Phoenix,” Warn said. “While you can start deep in the field and work your way to the front pretty easily, it is our goal to start up front. In this series qualifying well makes a lot of difference in the finish.”
“We have worked on our setups all winter and we are really excited about Phoenix. We feel real good about the race and can’t wait to race under the lights tomorrow night.”
Warn drives for MJ2 Racing and is sponsored by GPI Performance.Com and Leupold Optic. The car is powered by a Chevrolet NASCAR Spec Engine built by Brad “Freight Train” Peters and sits atop a Hopkins chassis. Warn is in his second year of competition in the NCWS with four top ten finishes in 14 career starts.
The Jimmie Johnson Foundation “150” at Phoenix Int’l Raceway is round three of the 13-race NASCAR Camping World Series-West schedule for 2009. The race will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on SPEED Channel. Check local listings for date and time in your area. 2009 is the 56th year of competition for the NASCAR Camping World Series-West.
For all the latest news and information regarding Jim Warn, log onto www.mj2racing.com.
