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ARCA: Jason Jarrett full ahead with ARCA Re/Max Program in 2001

11 December 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Cincinnati, Ohio--Jason Jarrett, the son of 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Dale Jarrett, announced in a news conference Saturday at the Regal Cincinnati Hotel in Cincinnati that he would run the complete 25-race ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2001.

Driving Chevrolet Monte Carlos fielded by ML Motorsports out of Winona Lake, Indiana, the Hickory, North Carolina third-generation driver will get started with his new endeavor in ARCA RE/MAX Series Daytona testing December 15, 16 & 17 in preparation for the February 11, 2001 Discount Auto Parts ARCA 200 at Daytona Intl Speedway. "I feel fortunate for the opportunity and excited because I'm running in the ARCA RE/MAX Series at the best possible time," Jarrett said. "Over the past few years the level of competition and quality of teams competing in the series has increased each season; and it's at an all-time high as we head into 2001. The expansion of the ARCA speedway schedule will make even more drivers and teams take notice of the crucial experience such a strong schedule provides. This is definitely my best opportunity yet in this business."

Jarrett first debuted in ARCA RE/MAX Series competition during the Fall 2000 Charlotte event. The 25-year-old racer borrowed a car from fellow ARCA and NASCAR Busch Series competitor Lyndon Amick and turned a 3rd-place starting position into a 4th-place finish with a solid run at the front of the field throughout the race.

"My interest in running ARCA in 2001 was peaked with the running of that race in Charlotte in October," Jarrett explained. "We were prepared and ran up front with tough competition for the entire race. The prospect of competing at that level every week is thrilling and I'm looking forward to our first testing session. It was also nice to have my dad around to provide a lot of inspiration when we really needed it."

"I think its a great opportunity for Jason," said Dale Jarrett. "I can think of many well-known and successful drivers who have been in ARCA competition to boost their careers and gain the type of experience a driver needs to compete in the highest levels of stock car racing competition in the country. Two of the names that come quickly to my mind are former ARCA RE/MAX Series and NASCAR Winston Cup champion Benny Parsons and of course the late Davey Allison (1984 ARCA RE/MAX Series Rookie of the Year). Both of them were able to capitalize on the racing skills they developed in ARCA and transform them into success in NASCAR racing. Naturally, Im excited for Jason to have the chance to gain that kind of experience and develop his skills racing the full 25-race ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule in 2001. Finally, Id like to say thanks to ML Motorsports for this opportunity with a quality race team and to Ron Drager and his staff at ARCA for providing a professional venue in which upcoming drivers get such an opportunity."

"Were certainly proud of Jason, and the fact that he has an opportunity with ML Motorsports to compete in the entire 25-race ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2001," said Jasons grandfather and 1961 & 65 NASCAR Winston Cup champion Ned Jarrett. "The series has come a long way in the past few years, and I dont think theres any better proving ground for a young driver aspiring to move into NASCAR Winston Cup racing. This is a wonderful opportunity for Jason to show what he can do at a very competitive level of racing."

ML Motorsports fielded Chevrolets for Plymouth, Indiana driver Brian Ross in the ARCA RE/MAX Series tour in 2000 and finished fourth in points earning Ross the Prestone ARCA Rookie of the Year award.

Text Provided By Don Radebaugh

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