Jefferson Pitts Racing Set for NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Season Opener
Naches, WA, March 9, 2018 (Newswire.com) - The 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West racing season takes the green flag next week at Kern County Raceway Park in Bakersfield, Calif. The K&N Series is the top step in NASCAR’s development ladder before drivers progress to the top three series; the Camping World Truck Series, the Xfinity Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. In this season’s opener, JPR will field four cars; one for a NASCAR Cup Series Champion, two returning NASCAR K&N Pro Series Drivers and one first time driver in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.
2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kevin Harvick will return to his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif. on Thursday March 15 to race for the first time at Kern County Raceway Parks famed half-mile track in the “Bakersfield 175 presented by NAPA Auto Parts” NASCAR K&N Pro Series West season opener. Harvick, who won the 1998 K&N Pro Series title, has returned to victory lane in his last two starts in the K&N Pro Series including a victory last year for JPR in the June race at Sonoma Raceway. Harvick will drive the No. 4 FIELDS Ford with Crew Chief Richard Boswell. “We are honored that Kevin is driving a car for us again this year. Kevin is a big supporter of the K&N Pro Series and short track racing. We hope to have the same success at Kern County that we did at Sonoma last year with Kevin behind the wheel” shared JPR co-owners Jeff Jefferson and Jerry Pitts. Harvick will also be the Grand Marshall of “The Happy Harvick 50” that will feature the top NASCAR Late Model drivers in the region.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series driver Will Rodgers will return to JPR behind the wheel of the No. 7 Solvang Brewing Company / Tire Pros Ford that he took to victory lane twice last year for JPR at Watkins Glen and New Jersey Motorsports Park in only two starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East. Crew chief Jeff Jefferson is “excited to have Will back again this year for the season opener at Kern County. We are looking to improve upon our third-place finish in last year’s spring race there and I know Will has the talent to get the job done.” Reid Lanpher, the 2015 and 2017 Maine NASCAR Whelen All-American Champion with two previous starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, will field the Team EJP Racing-Picarazzi / Lance Camper / Fastway Trailer Products No. 59 Ford for JPR with crew chief Jerry Pitts. Reid posted 9 wins in 2017 in the Maine NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and was runner-up in the Oxford 250. “We’re happy to have Reid on board for Kern County, Bristol and Loudon this year. Reid has proven he is a talented short track racer and we feel he is a great fit for our program."
Fielding the final entry for JPR and making his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series will be 15-year-old Austin Herzog in the No. 77 LC Services / Superior Doors and Building Materials Ford. Austin posted 6 wins in the Junior Late Model Series at Madera Speedway between 2016 and 2017 and was named the 2017 RPM Mortgage Pro Late Model Rookie of the Year. Austin was behind the wheel in JPRs No. 11 super late model in the 2017 Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway Park in February. “Austin is ready to take the next step in his racing career and we are thrilled to help mentor him in his racing craft” share Jeff & Jerry.
About TEAM JPR:
Jefferson Pitts Racing is entering only their fourth year of competition, but they have already shown success by winning eleven races between the West and East Series.
- 2015 - 4 Wins, 21 Top Fives, 32 Top Tens
- 2016 - 4 Wins, 20 Top Fives, 30 Top Tens
- 2017 - 3 Wins, 16 Top Fives, 24 Top Tens
- 2017 – Finished 5th and 6th in K&N Pro Series West Championship Owner Points
- 2016 and 2017 Sportsmanship Award Winners
- 4 Time K&N Pro Series West Championship Crew Chiefs (2002, 2011, 2013, 2014)
Keep up to date with JPR:
Website: http://jeffersonpittsracing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jefferson-Pitts-Racing-1614667545420174/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/jeffersonpittsracing/
Media/Sponsorship Contact:
Rod Wortham – Race Face Brand Development
Email: Rod@racefacebd.com • Ph: (727) 999-2628
Jeff Jefferson: jeffjeffersonjpr@gmail.com
Jerry Pitts: jerrypittsjpr@gmail.com
Source: Race Face Brand Development on behalf of Jefferson Pitts Racing
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