Norada Lanes to Host Jon Henry & Danica Patrick Dirt Cars on Memorial Day May 28th

ADA, OH (5/14/12) – On Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, Jon Henry Racing will have the Dirt Late Models of Danica Patrick and Jon Henry on display at Norada Lanes from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Henry will also be on hand to sign autographs, merchandise will be for sale, and a chicken dinner will be served from 11:00am to 2:00pm.

Jon Henry, of Ada, Ohio, has won three straight Dirt Late Model races at three different tracks with victories at Fremont (OH) Speedway, Attica (OH) Raceway Park, and Oakshade (OH) Raceway. He currently leads the points at Attica Raceway Park and has five straight UMP DirtCar Championships under his belt.

Henry and his team will prepare a car for international motorsports star Danica Patrick to race at Eldora (OH) Speedway’s Feed The Children “Prelude to the Dream”, a charity event featuring over 25 different stars from NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and the World of Outlaws. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 6th and will also be televised live on pay-per-view.

On Monday, May 28th, Henry will have Patrick’s Prelude car as well as his own car on display at Norada Lanes, a sponsor on Henry’s No. 15, from 11:00am to 6:00pm. Merchandise for both Henry and Patrick will be on sale and Henry himself will be on hand for photo opportunities and to sign autographs for eager fans. Norada will also host a chicken dinner from 11:00am to 2:00pm for anyone wanting to come out and support the cause.

Norada Lanes is located one mile north of Ada, Ohio on State Route 235. For more information, you can contact Norada Lanes at (419) 634-8900.

For more information on Jon Henry, visit his website at www.jonhenryracing.com.

In the Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Models, Ada , Ohio ’s Jon Henry is proving his 14-win season in 2011 was no fluke. The Steel Driver passed Cody Scott on lap five and survived a late race caution to take his second win of the season at Attica and second straight, as he posted a victory at Fremont last Saturday. It was Henry’s 11th career Attica super late model win.

“This car is awesome. I can basically put it any where I want to. We tried some stuff tonight…we were just experimenting a little bit. I have to get the slick program a little bit better and I think we did pretty good tonight. My Dad, Randy, John and Casey…these guys help me put this car together…it helps me a lot having them and all these Dirty Dozen members and Fultz Fabrications. I really appreciate everything they do for me. All these fans out here…it’s good to be back in victory lane. We have three wins now and a second…that’s pretty good. We parked that other car (last year’s) in the corner and got this one out…I think we’re going to stick with this one awhile,” said Henry adding thanks to sponsors JLH General Contractor, William H. Bass Trucking, Reproductive Assistance, Truman Quarter Horses, Re-Deck of Northwest Ohio, Home Savings and Loan, Mike and Sheila Keller, Ron Spencer Real Estate, Automated Transport, Lehman & Lehman, Norada Lanes and APC – the Dirty Dozen.

Oakshade Raceway, Wauseon, OH (05/12/2012) 34 Late Models.

Jon Henry’s narrow win in the UMP Late Model feature at Oakshade Raceway highlighted an incredible weekend of racing action with close finishes in racing events on both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.

Things heated up quickly in heat race action on Saturday night when Josh Scott’s UMP Late Model got upside down in a multi-car wreck on the backstretch that involved last week’s feature winner Matt Miller. Scott was not injured, but his car was done for the night. Miller was able to make repairs and race his way into the feature through one of the two UMP Late Model consolation events.

Chris Keller led the first two laps of the UMP Late Model feature. After a caution on lap two, Jon Henry took command on the restart. One lap later, Dan Wallace spun on the backstretch and Matt Miller slowed to a stop at the same time. Both drivers went to the pits. Andrew Reaume from Blenheim, Ontario, Canada got by Keller on the restart to move into the second position.

Reaume, looking for his first ever Oakshade feature win after coming close on several occasions, stayed right with Henry as the two raced for the lead all the way to the finish. Brian Ruhlman closed in on the leaders to make it a great three-car battle for the lead late in the race. With all three drivers vying for position, Reaume made one last run off the outside of the final corner to get up alongside Henry. With the crowd on their feet, Henry edged out a narrow victory by just inches over a disappointed Andrew Reaume.

“I feel like the biggest challenge will be getting comfortable behind the wheel of a Dirt Late Model,” Patrick told K&N. “As someone who has raced my entire life, there are times when even I don’t feel as comfortable as I did the week before, or even the race before. Knowing the race is only for charity will most likely ease some of those concerns, but also knowing you’re racing a $40,000 Dirt Late Model that doesn’t belong to you brings about a few stresses. In addition, I think the above-mentioned car control and throttle control may prove to be big learning curves. I think any racer - no matter what type of car or surface - will tell you that controlling a 2300 pound, 900 horsepower race car on dirt is a challenge no matter how much or how little experience you have.”

Henry, a two-time Sunoco American Late Model Series Champion, last fielded a car in the Prelude to the Dream in 2010. The driver of his car that year was another worldwide motorsports star, Travis Pastrana. Pastrana finished 23rd in his dirt track debut, but stated the opportunity to race a Dirt Late Model was something he’d never forget. We talked with Henry to get his take on having Patrick pilot his championship car.

What does it mean to you and to the Prelude event to have Patrick sign on?

“It’s a huge honor for me to have Danica Patrick drive my car at the Feed the Children Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway. She’s a worldwide superstar and well-known on so many different levels that the amount of exposure it brings to my team can only benefit us. As for the Prelude itself, I’m sure everyone associated with Eldora Speedway, and to that event, is just as proud to have her signed on as I am. She brings a following of fans that, most likely, will have never been to a dirt track stock car race before. Bringing new fans into our sport is great for the sport itself, as well as a prestigious venue like Eldora Speedway.”

Tell us a bit about the charity and your involvement with it.

“Although I’m not directly involved with Feed the Children in any way, I know they have signed on a sponsor at Eldora Speedway, not just for this event, but for the entire year. Their mission is to have served over 320,000 families by the end of the year. What I enjoy most about the organization is their desire to not just feed kids in the literal sense, but also on the education side of things. They’re big on nourishment for the mind as well, which I think is great for the underprivileged children of the world.”

How do you feel Patrick will do in the Late Model world, has she practiced in your car yet, and how did it go?

“As you probably know, Danica has been progressively getting more involved with the stock car type of racing the past few years. Racing Dirt Late Models will undoubtedly give her an experience she has probably never had before. Honestly, I feel as though racing Dirt Late Models can often benefit anyone racing on asphalt as it teaches you an unbelievable amount of both car control and throttle control. Although she has not yet practiced for the June 6th event, we’re currently working on getting her a test date in the near future.”

This may be a tough question to answer, but is she thinking of trying other dirt racing formats or is this a one-time thing?

“That’s a good question and, honestly, I’m not sure. I would imagine, for the time being, this is simply a one-shot deal. However, in the same sense, I doubt she would pass up the opportunity to race for charity again if the opportunity presented itself and the event fit into her busy schedule.”

http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=3948

Jon

Sometimes just knowing you’re ready to run with the big dogs is all you get, and often that’s plenty good enough to spark a highly success year. Third-generation racer Jon Henry and his Ada, Ohio team opened the 2012 season in promising style, even though their car may not have seen it that way.

The Jon Henry Racing LTD crew traveled to Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky to be part of 33 Late Model field for the opening of their 2012 race schedule. Henry finished second in his heat race and started 4th in the feature. The racing surface was super fast, abusively demanding, and started rolling up quite a bit in the corners, which created a survival mode for racers. Henry moved up into 2nd in the feature before having to surrender on lap 17 after the vibration in his car got too severe.

“Well we were rolling really good until the vibration continued to get worse and worse forcing me to pull off before any major damage occurred,” explained Henry. “Come to find out we had a bad u-joint from our driveshaft and it was almost to the point of slipping out. But take the good with the bad in these situations- we weren’t able to finish, but we showed a lot of potential running in the top three with some heavy hitters.”

Henry has every intention of keeping the momentum train rolling down his tracks after a stellar 2011 season. “Last season was an awesome year!” adds Henry. “I became a two-time Sunoco American Late Model Series Champion, I was co-Late Model Champion at the famed Eldora Speedway, I finished 3rd in the UMP national points, and won the East region for UMP. It was a very successful year!”

During the off season the team sold their 2001 Rocket that won a lot of races for them last year, including making it into the 2011 World 100. “After that I bought a brand new 2012 Rocket,” said the K&N sponsored driver. “Thanks to everyone at Rocket we were able to spend three days down in Shinnston, West Virginia at Rocket Chassis to completely assembly the car from top to bottom. I also still have my 2003 Rocket that we just kicked off our 2012 season with, but I’m really looking forward to getting out that new Rocket soon.”

The highly motivated and thoroughly promising team made some other key changes during the off season by hiring some very experienced part-time help. “Scott Smith, also known as ‘Schoolboy,’ has been a big help to getting our program headed to the next level,” said Henry. “Another big change was me personally spending some time at Accu-Force Shock Service in Millersburg, Ohio with owner Keith Berner. Keith is very sharp with shocks and with these racecars; he taught me a lot in a short amount of time and it’s going to be a huge help to my performance in 2012.”

“Our goal is to run in the Summer Nationals this year, which is also called the ‘Hell Tour.’ It consists of 28 races in 31 days over seven different states. We will also be contending for another Eldora Speedway Championship, and hopefully we’re in the mix again for another run at the UMP national championship.”

Find K&N products for your vehicle using the K&N application search then use the K&N dealer search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.

Danica Patrick to Drive for Jon Henry Racing at Eldora’s Prelude!

ADA, OH (3/27/12) – When Eldora Speedway announced that Danica Patrick would be racing in their Feed The Children Prelude to the Dream on Wednesday, June 6, many folks began asking which Dirt Late Model driver would be fielding a car for the popular female racer. The answer is 2011 Eldora Speedway Late Model Champion Jon Henry.
During the last several months, parties from Jon Henry Racing and Danica Patrick’s team have been working diligently to get the deal in place. Patrick was looking for a top notch ride and Henry was looking for a popular driver. When an agreement was reached, both sides were excited about having Patrick race for charity in one of the country’s premier Dirt Late Model events.

“What an awesome opportunity!” said Henry. “To have Danica drive my car at the Prelude is really special. My team and I are certainly looking forward to it and I know Danica is too.”

“I raced on dirt once before in a go-kart when I was young, but that’s about it. It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but I know Tony has offered to help in any way possible. I’m excited about it, but I’m also nervous,” Patrick said in an Eldora Speedway press release. “It’s a totally different style of racing, so I’m not sure what to expect. But, it’s for a great cause with Feed The Children benefiting from the money raised this year, so I’m ready to give it a shot.”
Henry, a two-time Sunoco American Late Model Series Champion, last fielded a car in the Prelude to the Dream in 2010. The driver of his car that year was another worldwide motorsports star, Travis Pastrana. Pastrana finished 23rd in his dirt track debut, but stated the opportunity to race a Dirt Late Model was something he’d never forget.

For more information on Jon Henry, visit his website at www.jonhenryracing.com.

JON HENRY RACING 2012 “DIRTY DOZEN” MEMBERS:
Mike & Sheila Keller (Lima, OH)
Truman Quarterhorses (Kenton, OH)
Re-Deck of Northwest Ohio (Ada, OH) - www.redeckonwo.com
Norada Lanes (Ada, OH)
The JLH Company (Fremont, OH) www.jlhcompany.com
Home Savings & Loan (Kenton, OH) www.hslc-kenton.com
William H. Bass Trucking (Ada, OH)
Automated Transport (Kenton, OH)
Reproductive Assistance (Terrace Park, OH) www.reproassistinc.com
Ron Spencer Real Estate (Lima, OH) www.rsre.com
Lehman & Lehman (Milford Center, OH)
Associated Plastics (Ada, OH) www.associatedplasticscorp.com

Jon Henry Racing Affiliate Supporters: Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop, Wide Open Graphics, Snyder Chiropractic, BOCO Machine, K&N Filters, Hooker Harness, Outerwears, Bell, Eibach Springs, Accu Force, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Hawk Performance, VP race fuels, Wiles Drive Shaft, Team Peterson, Allstar Performance, Dyer Rods, Dargie Race Engines, Rocket Chassis, Sweet Mfg, Frankland Rear Ends, Micro-Armor

*Special thanks to the Snider family for purchasing us two new tires for the Spring 50!

Jon

JON HENRY RACING 2012 “DIRTY DOZEN” MEMBERS:
Mike & Sheila Keller (Lima, OH)
Truman Quarterhorses (Kenton, OH)
Re-Deck of Northwest Ohio (Ada, OH)
Norada Lanes (Ada, OH)
The JLH Company (Fremont, OH)
Home Savings & Loan (Kenton, OH)
William H. Bass Trucking (Ada, OH)
Automated Transport (Kenton, OH)
Reproductive Assistance (Terrace Park, OH)
Ron Spencer Real Estate (Lima, OH)
Lehman & Lehman (Milford Center, OH)
Associated Plastics (Ada, OH)

Jon Henry Racing Affiliate Supporters: Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop, Wide Open Graphics, Snyder Chiropractic, BOCO Machine, K&N Filters, Hooker Harness, Outerwears, Bell, Eibach Springs, Accu Force, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Hawk Performance, VP race fuels, Wiles Drive Shaft, Team Peterson, Allstar Performance, Dyer Rods, Dargie Race Engines, Rocket Chassis, Sweet Mfg, Frankland Rear Ends, Micro-Armor

February 14, 2012
Media Contact: Dustin Jarrett (dustinjarrett@yahoo.com)

Jon Henry Readies for 2012 racing Season

ADA, OH (2/14/12) – In preparation for the 2012 racing season, Jon Henry is excited to announce he has locked in all twelve sponsors for his new “Dirty Dozen” program. In addition, Henry is pleased to announce that veteran wrench Scott “Schoolboy” Smith will join the team in a part-time role.

During the offseason, Jon Henry announced that twelve sponsors would come on board at $1,200 each to become members of a fraternal marketing and partnering group known as the “Dirty Dozen”. The sponsorship package included benefits such as personal appearances, victory lane photos, t-shirts, autograph cards, and more. The members of the 2012 Dirty Dozen have officially been announced: Associated Plastics (Ada, OH), Lehman & Lehman (Milford Center, OH), Ron Spencer Real Estate (Lima, OH), Reproductive Assistance (Terrace Park, OH), Automated Transport (Kenton, OH), William H. Bass Trucking (Ada, OH), Home Savings & Loan (Kenton, OH), The JLH Company (Fremont, OH), Re-Deck of Northwest Ohio (Ada, OH), Truman Quarterhorses (Kenton, OH), and Mike & Sheila Keller (Lima, OH). In addition, Henry will welcome back associate sponsor Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop.

“I’m very, very thankful for the support of everyone in this group,” Henry said of his twelve new marketing partners. “Without their help, we wouldn’t be in as strong of a position as we are to start the 2012 season.”

In addition, Henry has brought Scott “Schoolboy” Smith on board as a part-time wrench for the upcoming season. Smith most recently served as crew chief for Matt Miller at McCullough Motorsports, and helped guide Miller to a $100,000 win in the 2005 Dirt Late Model Dream at Eldora Speedway.

“Schoolboy is a great addition to our team,” the 2011 Eldora Speedway co-champion said. “His knowledge combined with the solid crew members we already have will just help our team tremendously. I looking forward to working with him throughout the season.”

Armed with a brand new Rocket Chassis and power from Dargie Racing Engines, Henry is tentatively planning to kick off his 2012 campaign sometime in mid-March. The defending UMP Sunoco ALMS Champion, Henry also finished third in the final 2012 national UMP Dirt Late Model points standings. The team is currently planning to compete on the UMP SummerNationals “Hell Tour” this summer.

For more information on Jon Henry, visit his website at www.jonhenryracing.com.

JON HENRY RACING 2012 “DIRTY DOZEN” MEMBERS:
Mike & Sheila Keller (Lima, OH)
Truman Quarterhorses (Kenton, OH)
Re-Deck of Northwest Ohio (Ada, OH) - www.redeckonwo.com
Norada Lanes (Ada, OH)
The JLH Company (Fremont, OH) www.jlhcompany.com
Home Savings & Loan (Kenton, OH) www.hslc-kenton.com
William H. Bass Trucking (Ada, OH)
Automated Transport (Kenton, OH)
Reproductive Assistance (Terrace Park, OH) www.reproassistinc.com
Ron Spencer Real Estate (Lima, OH) www.rsre.com
Lehman & Lehman (Milford Center, OH)
Associated Plastics (Ada, OH) www.associatedplasticscorp.com

Jon Henry Racing Affiliate Supporters: Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop, Wide Open Graphics, Snyder Chiropractic, BOCO Machine, WFIN 1330 ‘Racing World’, K&N Filters, Ohlins, Hooker Harness, Outerwears, Bell, Eibach Springs, Accu Force, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Hawk Performance, VP race fuels, Wiles Drive Shaft, Team Peterson, Allstar Performance, Dyer Rods, Dargie Race Engines, Rocket Chassis, Sweet Mfg, Frankland Rear Ends, Micro-Armor