As the ARCA Re/Max series is celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2002, there is an extreme amount of youth and talent, which is creating one of the most unforgettable seasons so far. While there are several new and upcoming faces on the circuit this season, there is a sophomore on the track that has proven that he is no fluke and that is Jason Jarrett.
Jason Jarrett is aiming for the ARCA Re/Max Series Championship this year in his #67 Biomet/Damon RV Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Jarrett’s passion for racing is very easy to understand. With Grandfather Ned, and father Dale both earning NASCAR Winston Cup Series Championships, Jarrett was destined to carry on the legacy in racing.
Jarrett 26, who scored his first ever ARCA Re/Max Series Victory from the Kansas Speedway, will look to return to the track this weekend and possibly score his second ARCA Re/Max Series victory. “The win last year just built confidence for the entire team, and especially for myself. It’s been a long drought since I won, and that was in a late model.” Jarrett also added ” It was ARCA Re/Max Series first race from Kansas, it was a great feeling. Also with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing there at a later date, I was able to visit victory lane before they did. It was a pretty neat deal.”
The team enjoyed on track performance throughout the 2001 season. Jarrett accumulated an impressive eight top five and 15 top-10 finishes, along with winning the pole for the ARCA Re/Max Series race from Michigan International Speedway.
The ML Motorsports team also finished second in the ARCA Re/Max Series Points in only the team’s first year of competition. “It was a great season last year. We had some good runs, we scored a win, and then we topped it off with a second place in the series championship. We were pretty happy,” says Jarret.
Jason Jarrett was also able to capture a special award at the conclusion of the 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series season by capturing the Rookie of the year title. “It was great to accept the award of the Rookie of the year. It really meant a lot to me, and I was happy to bring it back as well to the ML Motorsports team.”
The ML Motorsports team, which is owned by Mary Louise Miller and Stephany Mullen, currently does not have a primary sponsor for the team. But, that is not holding the team from competing in the entire ARCA Re/Max Series schedule for the 2002 season. “This team is a great team. Mary Louise Miller gives us everything that we need to be competitive. And the help that we receive from Biomet and Damon RV really gives us the opportunity to go out on the track and do well. Of course we would like to have a primary sponsor on this Chevrolet Monte Carlo, but the team is doing well, and we are very happy right now.”
Jason Jarrett who has visited the NASCAR Busch Series three times throughout his young racing career with DAJ Racing, BACE Motorsports, and Jarrett/Farve Motorsports has over 40 starts in the series. His best finish is 17th at Daytona International Speedway in 2000. Jarrett says, “I am not in a hurry to get back into the NASCAR Busch Series. I am very happy to be over here in the ARCA Re/Max Series. We have a great team, and we are all waiting for the right opportunity to move on to the next level. We want to win the championship, we want to win races, we want to lead laps, and we all believe that we can do that, in the ARCA Re/Max Series.”
Jarrett is dedicated to performing more as a driver from last season to this season. “I just want to be able to go out there win races, be in the top ten, score some poles, and have the chance to win the ARCA Re/Max Series Championship in 2002. There were several drivers that have taught me a lot on this series, and I only look for better things. Not only from me, but this entire ML Motorsports team.
Jason launched his racing career in the World Karting Association (WKA), where in 1993 he claimed the WKA’s Sprint Division Championship of the Carolina’s Cup at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C. Jason would make the next step in 1994, where he returned to a track that had provided early success for both his father and grandfather – Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
He began to compete in the Limited Sportsman Division and scored one victory and one pole award, along with earning Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Jason would only further boost his racing career the following year. He would compete in the Winston Racing Series Late Model Stock Division. For the next three seasons, Jarrett would hone his skills around the famed oval.
1997 would prove to be an exciting year for the third generation driver, as he competed in 46 late model events between tracks at Hickory Motor Speedway, and Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, N.C. During the 46-race stint, Jarrett scored two victories, two poles, 19 top-five and 33 top-10 finishes. Also, Jarrett would make the next step toward a career in the “family business”, making his NASCAR Busch Series debut at Hickory Motor Speedway. Jarrett’s father, grandfather, and uncle (Glenn Jarrett) all made their first career NASCAR Busch Series starts at the legendary short track.
There is no doubt about it, Jason Jarrett wants to race. He has the experience to race, and he definitely has the talent to race. The 2001 season saw Jarrett join forces with ML Motorsports, an established Indiana-based ARCA Re/Max Series team. This team was able to provide Jarrett with the equipment and personnel needed to achieve success. There is no reason anyone should not consider him one of the most up and coming drivers on the circuits.
His goal is plain and simple. “My ultimate goal is, of course, to compete in NASCAR Winston Cup. After having a successful season last year in the ARCA Re/Max Series, I have definitely set my standards a little higher with regards to where I hope to be within the next few years.”
Here are some facts on Jason Jarrett whose best finish so far of the 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Season was at Salem, IN in April. Jarrett finished second to 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Champion Frank Kimmel.
Name: Jason Jarrett
Birth Date: 0/14/1975
Hometown: Newton, NC
Residence: Hickory, NC
Marital Status: Married to Christina
Heroes: Parents/Family
Favorite Foods: Spaghetti, Pizza
Hobbies: Baseball, golf, computers, and fishing
I personally would like to thank Jason Wise and Jason Jarrett for allowing this interview to take place.