Source: MJ2 Racing Public Relations
Date: 04/08/2008

NACHES, Washington -- Jeff Jefferson views Phoenix Int’l Raceway the way most on the West coast do. Phoenix is the Daytona 500 of the West. Heading into the Jimmie Johnson Foundation “150” Thursday, April 10 for the NASCAR Camping World Series, Jefferson feels this could be his best opportunity to finally win at the track known as the “Desert Jewell”.

Jefferson has only one NCWS start at Phoenix which yielded him a DNF midway through the 100-lap race back in March of 2000, though he has had success at PIR competing in the now defunct NASCAR Southwest Tour where had claimed a handful of top five finishes. Success in the lighter perimeter cars does not necessarily equal success in the NCWS machines, but Jefferson is confident about his chances on Thursday.

“I have the best car I have ever had for Phoenix, Tour or otherwise,” Jefferson said. “We practiced really well and I know that we can run up front and put ourselves in position for a top finish.”

Jefferson has 25 career NCWS starts with one win, two poles, and 12 top ten finishes. To earn his second victory at Phoenix is certainly his goal. “There is no question I want to win and a win at Phoenix would be a career accomplishment.”

Coming off a disappointing outing at All American March 29 to being the 2008 campaign did not have any lasting effects for the three-time NASCAR champion driver. “By the time we got home after All American we were focused on Phoenix,” Jefferson said. “This is going to be a long season and we are simply focused on performing to our potential at each race. “We have a great car for Phoenix and our pit stop practices have been flawless. We are ready and I can’t wait to get there.”

Jefferson will be driving a new car at Phoenix. “There will likely be a bigger spread in qualifying but our goals is the same. We need to qualify in the top quarter of the field and that makes the race a whole bunch easier. The cars will get tight later in the race and since the race is run at night we really have two races in one. Practice and qualifying during the day and the race at night, so who ever hits both set ups is in the cat-birds seat. I hope it’s us.”

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.

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation “150” is round two of the 13-race NASCAR Camping World Series-West schedule for 2008. Ken Schrader leads all drivers with four wins at PIR while Mike Duncan has four Coors Light Pole Awards. The race on Thursday will have drivers entered from 11 states as well as Canada and Belgium. This race marks the 23rd stand alone NCWS race at PIR in the NCWS 55 year history.

~Distributed by MJ2 Racing Public Releations

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