SPORTSnationals winners poised for a shot at JEGS Crown

COLUMBUS, Sept 21, 2009: The 16 winners of the two most recent JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals events held earlier this year in Belle Rose, La., and Fontana, Calif., are halfway home in their quest to capture the coveted JEGS Crown trophy. The eight winners of the JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals at No Problem Raceway Park and the eight champions who were crowned at the JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Calif., will now have an opportunity to capture one of the most unique trophies in Motorsports when the JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals takes place at National Trail Raceway in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 25-27.

The JEGS Crown is beautifully handcrafted trophy that was designed and created by Dan Dreisbach, of Naked Sculpture (www.naked-sculpture.com). The only way to earn the JEGS Crown is to win the same category at two of the three JEGS Mail Order-backed SPORTSnationals events in the same calendar year. The only driver to earn the elusive award is Mike Ashley, who won back-to-back Pro Mod titles in 2005, the year the JEGS Crown was created. The three JEGS SPORTSnationals races are designed as a showcase for competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

The Belle Rose winners – Kevin Self (Comp), Brad Zaskowski (Super Stock), Austin Williams (Stock), Tommy Phillips (Super Comp and Super Gas), Mike DeSio (Super Street), Jeffrey Barker (Top Sportsman) and Casey Spradlin (Top Dragster), are eligible to win the award, as are the eight Fontana champions – Ed Sigmon (Comp), Mark Faul (Super Stock), Leo Glasbrenner (Stock), Thomas Bayer (Super Comp), Hollis Colleasure (Super Gas), Mike Blodgett Jr. (Super Street), Jed Bourquin (Top Sportsman), and Tom Yancer (Top Dragster).

Of the 16 eligible drivers, one who might have the upper hand in the race for the JEGS Crown is Brad Zaskowski. The winner of the Belle Rose event, Zaskowski lives in Belmont, Mich., and frequently races at National Trail Raceway. Zaskowski is also a leading contender for the national championship in Super Stock, which should provide additional motivation.

“I am very familiar with National Trail Raceway and I really enjoy running there,” said Zaskowski. “It was great to win the SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose this year but it would be even more awesome to win in Columbus. I’m doing pretty well in the [national] points standings so I have a lot riding on this event.”

Another driver who certainly holds a mathematical edge is Tommy Phillips of Forney, Texas. Phillips accomplished a rare feat when he won both the Super Comp and Super Gas titles in Belle Rose. Should he win either class in Columbus, he’ll become the second recipient of the JEGS Crown. Of course, should Phillips defy the astronomical odds and win both classes again, he would return to Texas with a pair of JEGS Crown trophies in his possession.