Bar’s Leaks Team Remains Consistent at Texas Motorplex

Bar’s Leaks Team Remains Consistent at Texas Motorplex
photo courtesy Robert Grice, Extreme Photography

<img border="0" src="http://insidetopalcohol.com/johnsonnplaunch.jpg" width="400" height="258" align="left">ENNIS, Texas – After a rough set of runs in qualifying, the Bar’s Leaks / Etterman Racing Team pulled together and ended with a semi-final finish and thus keeping their divisional trail streak alive of semi-final finishes or better.

Through the tough qualifying sessions, the Bar’s Leaks Dodge Stratus broke a rod after the run, just a few feet after the finish line resulting in an oil leak. The Etterman Racing Team elected to pull the wounded engine down that night to find the block was salvageable. Knowing the team had the rest of the parts that the racecar needed, they proceeded to do what was necessary to have the car ready for Sunday morning. After a late night of hard work, four sleeves for the block and fresh set of rods and pistons, Etterman Racing was ready to fire the engine. Soon before the first round of eliminations, the team warmed up the Bar’s Leaks machine without any problems. At this point, George Etterman, David Scheelk, Jonathan Johnson and the rest of the Etterman Racing Crew were all ready for a great competition and aimed for a victory, thus resulting in a first round win with an elapsed time of 5.811 seconds at 245.99 mph over another young driver, Brandon Lewis, who ran a 5.894.

As for the semi-finals, Johnson faced red-hot Kebin Kinsley. Jonathan left the line first with a reaction time of 0.054 seconds and held the lead until the car got a little loose, allowing Kebin to drive around and hold on for the win.

“The group of people that make up Etterman Racing define every word of team,” states George Etterman, owner. “Even when something like hurting the engine plagues us, we pull together and get the job done to make a strong showing for our marketing partners. Jonathan is still learning and by mid-season, I think it will all be second nature to him. He has fewer than 25 total runs in a Top Alcohol Funny Car, and with that said, what he has done speaks a great deal for his ability and drive to be in the car!” Etterman exclaims.

“I strongly hoped for a win this weekend, especially after all the hard work and long hours put in by the crew of David Scheelk, Dickie and Genie Harshey, George Etterman, my dad Glen, and my girlfriend Katie. However, I cannot complain with another semi-final finish,” contributes Jonathan Johnson. “It is especially hard for me to get out of the car knowing how hard everyone worked and not be able to tow to the winner’s circle. Despite this, an event win can only come in time with our great results thus far, and when it does, there will be a party next to our Haulmark Trailer!” declares Johnson.

For more information on Etterman Racing or their Marketing Partners, please visit their website at www.etterman-racing.com.

Contact: Katie Ward
Email: katie@etterman-racing.com