GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas -- When driver P.J. Abbott steps out of his #11 open wheel formula car into the #6 NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series car of the Eshleman Racing Team it will be a very special occasion. He is no stranger to pressure situations. In addition to P.J. spending his birthday doing exactly what he wishes, it is also Memorial Weekend. P.J. has a special place for Memorial Day and California. P.J. spent 12 years in the military including a tour of duty as a Marine Corps Officer at Camp Pendelton, California. In addition to being a former Marine Captain, he is also a Gulf War and Disabled Veteran.
“I am truly blessed for this opportunity, it is like a dream come true. We all need to recognize our former and current military personnel, and veterans that sacrificed and are continuing to sacrifice so much for our country. We look forward to putting on an exciting show,” stated P.J. during a conversation Thursday at the track.
P.J. completed a brief orientation and test on Sunday May 23rd at Texas Motor Speedway, and will begin the NASCAR qualification process on Friday May 28th in a practice session for the May 29th evening race at the Stockton 99 Raceway. “This was a tough decision at first, having been raised in Indiana, and a birthday on the weekend of the INDY 500 creates a lot of emotion. I will miss not being in INDY, but really like this track and the people. I had a great conversation this week with my mentor Sam Schmidt and he encouraged me to enjoy this experience,” said P.J. after an interview on Friday. P.J. will be leaving Stockton for several races and test sessions in the Formula Atlantic car series, and Indy Racing League’s Infinity Pro-Series throughout June and July.
P.J. was also quick to mention, “I need to personally thank Sam, David Starr, Texas Motor Speedway, Mike Sauce, Charlie Strickland, Al and Blake Mallory, David Eshleman and his TEAM, and of course our great sponsors; Valspar, S.C. Johnson, Avery Dennison, and Veron Coatings. Without these people, sponsors and the support of many others, we would not be here on this honored weekend.”
P.J. is coming off a set of Formula Atlantic races finishing 1st and 3rd recently at the Grand Prix at Hallett motor circuit, in Oklahoma. “We have had some great highs as well as a couple of lows, and this week one of our country’s GREATEST leaders, Mr. Sam Johnson, of the S.C. Johnson Company passed. We will all miss him, and this race is dedicated on the car to his family and a great company.”
P.J. is expected to participate in four additional NASCAR West Series races potentially including Evergreen, Douglas County, and Phoenix. He will be testing in Kentucky and Milwaukee this coming month.
