April 28, 2006 

   Last September, Jason Johns was considered a formidable challenger for the 2006 Pro Stock track title at Tri-City Speedway. With three feature wins and a runner-up points finish in 2005, the Oil City racer was clearly the favorite. This was especially true after defending track champion Gerry Bruce announced his plans during the offseason to compete in the USAR Hooters Cup Series.

   No one knew, however, that Johns had other thoughts at the end of the 2005 Applefest 100.

   “I know everybody thinks that winning is everything,” said Johns, “but if you don’t enjoy the car that you’re driving and maintaining, then you want to go to something bigger and better.”

   So, Johns sold his race car and invested in an E Mod in 2006.

   Modeled after the IMCA Modifieds from the Midwest, the E Mods, which is short for Economy Modifieds, are designed as a low-cost open wheel division. The expense of racing is still pretty high for most teams and drivers, but Johns is looking forward to the new challenge.

   “I’ve been having more fun than ever before getting ready for this season, and I want to start learning,” said Johns. “I have to learn different driving skills and about the adjustments on the E Mods. This is my year to have fun whether I’m doing good or bad.  When I don’t have fun anymore, I’m quitting. I don’t hunt or fish. This is my hobby.”

   Diving into the class headfirst, Johns knew that he needed top notch equipment. That meant a Bob Pierce chassis. Two-time track champion Brent Rhebergen made the Pierce chassis famous at Tri-City winning 40 feature races in four seasons from 2001 to 2004.

   “I purchased my 2005 Pierce chassis from a driver named Aaron Jenkins in Fort Recovery, Ohio,” noted Johns. “The car has a feature win at Limaland Speedway and Jenkins raced the car at Eldora Speedway.”

   Johns then contacted Rhebergen and visited his shop in Clymer, New York. Johns wanted to learn from the best.

   “Brent showed me the ins and outs of the car. He’s been a tremendous help. There are a lot of people behind a Bob Pierce car that want you to succeed.”

   Johns even took the time to attend a chassis seminar in Illinois during the offseason. Listening to Johns talk about his preparation for the 2006 season, the E Mod rookie exudes confidence and fun.

   “These are cool cars. I’m used to the engine and tires. There isn’t too much difference from the Pro Stocks. The big learning experience will be the suspension adjustments and my driving style. There’s a lot of homework, but I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

   As for the expense of starting from scratch, Johns firmly believes that he’s better off in the E Mods.

   “The Pro Stocks have so many different rules nowadays, that it becomes more and more expensive. You end up having to purchase a lot of parts to keep the car competitive. I put this car together with parts from swap meets, not specialty racing catalogs and speed shops.”

   Johns debuted his new steed at the Cranberry Mall race car show in March to rave reviews. The black and white No. 31 was one of the sharpest looking E Mods in recent memory.

   “I got to meet some of the other drivers at the mall show,” noted Johns. “Shawn Shingledecker, Russ Dempsey and David Atkinson are a few of them.  If I make a couple of rookie mistakes this season, I hope those guys will forgive me.”

   If the car runs as good as it looks, it is unlikely that the other racers will forgive Johns, who works as a technician for Changing Times Telephone Service of Oil City. Instead, those drivers will be wishing that Johns never left the Pro Stocks.

   “This is a great class and I hope I can pick up a feature win. There is so much competition this season. Brent Rhebergen’s coming back for a few races. Matt Lux is probably the man to beat. Even Bobby Whitling has an E Mod that he hopes to bring out midseason.”

   With so much talent, the E Mod class will likely feature some of the best racing all season at Tri-City. For Johns, it is now time to make a new name for himself.

   Sponsors on Johns’ E Mod include Changing Times Telephone Service, Cherrytree Mini Storage, Tom Scott Stocker Bodies, Pennewell Sandblasting & Painting, Creekside Automotive, and E.F. Rogers Pluming & Heating of Oil City, RCR Automotive, Bruce Smith Construction, and O’Polka & Company of Franklin, and Les Frickshun Automotive & Machine of Reno.