Catchfence

Justin Johnson - Photo Credit: John Harrelson / Getty Images for NASCAR

Race: Too Tough To Tame 200

Date: March 12, 2011

Location: Darlington Raceway

Vision Aviation Racing (VAR) NASCAR Camping World Truck (NCWTS) Series Notes

Two Trucks are Better Then One: VAR was originally slated to enter only the No. 51 truck of Justin Johnson for this week’s race in Darlington. Early last week the team decided, based on the performance in Phoenix two weeks ago, to also enter the No. 15 Toyota Tundra with rookie Dusty Davis at the wheel.

Crew Member Spotlight: This week’s crew member spotlight is on VAR Fabricator/Mechanic, Craig Kemp. Kemp, who is affectionately known as ‘Shrek’ around the shop, is originally from Randallstown, Maryland and had his first job in racing by age 16. Kemp has worked for such well known organizations as Bill Davis Racing and Billy Ballew Motorsports, among others. The former dirt car racer was able to achieve one of his highest career goals this year when VAR and the No.15 Tundra went to Daytona victory lane with driver Michael Waltrip. Kemp is a dedicated family man, married to wife Amy and has five children, Ashleigh, Michael, Taylor, Graci and Katie.

Simulated Darlington Stripes: Because NASCAR’s testing policy limits the amount of seat time for rookies, both VAR drivers have been logging as many laps as possible on the egg-shaped oval with the team simulator. Competition Director, Rip Michels commented, “Justin and Dusty have run about 1000 laps at Darlington on the simulator and I think they permanently flat sided the video game truck. They are getting really good and now they get the real Lady in Black this weekend.”

Air Time: Catch all the action Live on SPEED starting at 4:30PM/ET on March 12th, 2011. The race will also be broadcast live on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius XM Satellite Radio starting at 5:00PM/ET.

Justin Johnson

No. 51 Wounded Warrior Project / Vision Airlines Toyota Tundra

Race Notes and Quotes

Last Race: Johnson made his NCWTS debut two weeks ago in Phoenix where he was able to bring his Toyota Tundra home 8th after starting 14th.

This Week’s Chassis: Johnson will be in chassis number 032 this week in Darlington. Kyle Busch drove this chassis to victory lane at both Chicagoland Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.

Wounded Warrior Project: Johnson’s sponsor, Wounded Warrior Project, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to honoring and empowering wounded servicemen and women. Wounded Warrior Project aims to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in the nation’s history. To learn more about how you can help visit woundedwarriorproject.org.

Johnson Quotes:

Why is Darlington so intimidating for a rookie?

You hear all these stories from the veterans that scare you. Then you’re going 180 miles an hour and thinking, oh boy, here comes the corner. You don’t want to wreck your truck the first time out and that makes it intimidating.

What have you learned about Darlington from running the simulator that will benefit you this weekend?

Commitment to the throttle is going to be important. That is what I have learned from the simulator because if you don’t commit to the throttle you end up getting the truck sideways or into a tight condition and it’s hard to get out of it with such a narrow track. You have the apron you can’t use, it’s too flat, and the track is only so wide. Talking to other people I think that you’ll probably have to give and take and just race the racetrack to be successful.

What goals have you set for the weekend?

I just want to come out with the truck in one piece, try to learn a lot and put it in the memory bank for the next time we run there and hope to earn as much respect as I can.

- Vision Aviation Racing Press Release