AFTER FIRST WIN, JASON JACOBY IS READY FOR THE NEW TRI-CITY SEASON
by Brian Spaid

February 26, 2004 

                August 17, 2003, is a special date in the 50-year history of Tri-City Speedway. Jason Jacoby started sixth in the 20-lap Super Sprint feature. Up to this date, track champion Rod George and Ed Lynch Jr. had won every feature race in the division since May 19, 2002. An extra $300 bonus was on the line for the first driver to defeat the duo.

                And this race would be one to remember.

Andy McKisson of Strattanville led the first two laps. Jacoby blasted into second by the end of the first lap. The Franklin racer used a restart to launch into the lead one lap later. Lynch, who started inside Jacoby,  tried a valiant move the following lap to try to take first and second from Jacoby and McKisson, but he nearly spun in turn four and George passed him. Within two laps, Lynch was running second and reeling in Jacoby.

“I figured Ed or Rod would be there chasing me,” recalled Jacoby. “I thought I’d get passed in lapped traffic because they have more experience.”

By the eighth lap of the race, Jacoby was running in slower traffic. His silver Eagle No. 4J diced through the maze as Lynch closed in for an apparent pass. Just past the halfway point, Lynch appeared to be under Jacoby off turn four on the half-mile oval. No pass was completed, and Jacoby made a brilliant pass between two lapped cars in turn three to buy more room.

                “My dad and I tried a different setup that night,” said Jacoby, who works full-time as a crane operator for Ferguson Steel Erectors in Greenville. “Little things helped a lot last year, and I learned more from Lynch and George and other guys like Dale Blaney.”

                With each passing lap, the crowd grew tense. Jacoby was riding the outside lane to perfection, and he seemed to get faster each time around. At the white flag signaling one lap to go, the crowd was on the edge of its seat hoping to see history. Lynch could not close in, and Jacoby sailed under the checkered flag to the wild cheers of the hometown crowd. Best of all, Lynch and George finished second and third.

Jacoby truly beat the best.

                With George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone” blaring over the speakers, Jacoby made a victory lap following his first career feature win at Tri-City, and he climbed from his racer in victory lane to resounding applause.

                “It’s about time,” said the happy racer in the understatement of his career.

                Jacoby, 31, is still putting his team together for the start of the racing in less than two months. He will have two sprint car chassis at his disposal once again. Sponsorship will come from Double Play Sports Bar & Grill in Oil City and Franklin businesses Franklin Service & Supply, Galaxy Federal Credit Union, Green Enterprises, McCartney Vinyl Graphic and Vision’s Collision Center. More important, he has renewed confidence.

                “Last year was the cheapest season we’ve ever had because we didn’t tear up a bunch of equipment. We got lucky with fewer wrecks too. I worked and worked on car setups all season. My dad, Henry, worked hard too. I really think we can do better this season.”

                Jacoby will race all season at Tri-City and Sharon Speedways with the goal to win more features and a track championship.

                “To win the title at Tri-City would be nice, real nice,” said the second generation racer. “Rod and Ed are the guys to beat though. They’ve got good equipment and a lot of years under their belt.”

                Jacoby will be ready. And he’s prepared to give the fans more memories of their hometown sprint car hero.