User:Jgrace1294

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John "JG Race 1294" Graham, Jr. has been involved in racing practically all of his life.

1 History
2 Accomplishments
3 Pix
4 Places I've been
5 Articles I've written
6 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Early history

He started out at age 5, helping his dad (also named John) work on his race cars, handing him wrenches, and learning how everything worked. At about the age of 11, John became a member of his dad's pit-crew. By age 14, John had amassed enough knowledge to become the Crew Cheif for his father's racing operation, overseeing the daily operation of the team, and setting the car up for the next race.

[edit] Racing in the Navy

John left for a brief time, to join the US Navy, and see the world. Even while he was in the Navy, John's passion for racing never died. He managed to attend races whenever,and wherever, his military duties would allow. He attended races at Skagit Speedway, in Burlington, Washington, as well as attending races overseas in Perth, Australia and Narrogin, Australia. While at the track in Narrogin, John helped a local racer almost win a feature race, by showing his prowess as a Crew-Cheif, and setting the car up. Fate was not in it for the luckless driver, as he blew a tire on the last lap, and finished second, his best finish of the entire season, on the last night of racing. After his tour of duty, in which he became a Veteran during Desert Storm, John returned to the U.S. and to his position of Crew-Cheif for John Graham Racing.

[edit] His own car

After many years of watching his dad, his uncle, Tom, and his 2 cousins Jeff Graham & Scott Landers win races, John decided it was about time he got his own ride. John was watching an off road race on TV, and saw Randy Eller, who was from not far away. John called him on the phone, and asked where off road races could be found around the area. Mr Eller told him where to find the races, and who to contact. John attended his first off road race in the fall of 1997, and was immediatly hooked on off road racing. Learning that one of his aquaintances had a buggy for sale, John approched him about it, and bought his first off road buggy. John attended his first race as an off road racing driver in January of 1998 at the TWA Dome, in St. Louis, Missouri at a race sanctioned by the USHRA. Even though he did not do so well, John did not get discouraged. He Joined MAORA as an official member in January of 1998, and was immediately liked by all (or at least it would seem, as he was voted in as the MAORA Class 11 Alternate Representitive, never even having raced in MAORA). John showed signs of being a great driver by finishing in the top half of his class in almost every race he entered. John almost achieved one of his goals of winning a race at one of the events in Danville, Illinois. Enterd against cars having almost twice as much horsepower as his, he showed his cunningness on the start, by taking the lead before the first turn......FROM THE SECOND ROW!!! John held the lead in that race for 7 of 10 laps, before being out-horsepowered on one of the straightaways, then missing a shift and getting passed by another car, putting him back to third place. 1999 was not a good year for this up-and-coming star. He was only able to attend 4 MAORA races, breaking the car in the third race, ending his season in the driver's seat.

[edit] A Cinderella story

2000 was a "Cinderella Story" for this now "Wiley Veteran." At the first race of the season, John managed to eek-out a second place finish. He was forced to miss the second race of the season (at his favorite track in Danville, IL), putting him further "In-the-hole" in the chase for the MAORA Class 11 Championship. John's luck was about to change. After some minor adjustments to the car, and a fresh paint scheme, John started his comeback. John went on to win events at Casey, IL, and Iuka, IL. Tragedy struck again, this time in the unfortunate death of one of John's racing companions. Forced to sit out yet another round of racing, John was helping the track crew flag one of the races at Danville, when 2 ATV's got together, sending both riders flying. It just so happened that John was flagging at the exact point that both riders landed, one was seriously injured, and the other was killed on impact. On the long, tearful ride home, John did a serious re-think of his racing career. After thinking about it for several weeks, John decided that he would win this championship, NO MATTER WHAT!! John went on to win the final 2 events of the season, at Nashville, Illinois and Casey, Illinois. This gave John the needed points to become the 2000 MAORA Class 11 Champion. 2001 was a challenge for John. He hoped to successfully defend his MAORA Class 11 Championship, but ended the season in third place in points. With his election to the post of MAORA Secretary, and his appointment to be the MAORA Vice President, John kept this great sanctioning body at the top.

[edit] Today

Today, John is retired from driving, but still crews for his dad's UMP Late Model. He also runs a vinyl graphics business with his mom.

[edit] Accomplishments

1998-2000 MAORA Class 11 Alternate Representitive

2000-2002 MAORA Class 11 Representitive

2001 MAORA Secretary

2001 MAORA Vice President Pro-Tem

2000 MAORA Class 11 Champion

3 event wins in 2000 (9 heat races in a row)

Won both MAORA Class 11 events held at Iuka City Park in Iuka, Illinois (2000 & 2001).

Finished in the top-10 in points in every year he raced.

Year	Class	Short Course Points Position	Enduro Points Position
1998	Class 12 (Open Buggies)	10th (Runner-up in Rookie of the Year)	unknown
1999	Class 1-2 1600 Buggies (Restricted Buggies)	8th (CORR and WSORR driver, Steve Federico, finished 11th)	8th (Federico was 9th)
2000	Class 11 (Stock Buggies)	1st Career high 9 heat races in a row.	Didn't run
2001	Class 11 (Stock Buggies)	3rd Won 2 heats at the event at Iuka. Won the Iuka event.	Didn't run

[edit] Pix

John Catching some air in a 1998 Pracitice session prior to his first MAORA race.	John taking a jump in calss 1-2 1600, at Lincoln Trail motosports near Casey, Illinois. John is on the right, in the black and flourescent car. This was the summer 1999 event.	A better shot of my car in 1999. Here its getting prepared for an Enduro at Casey, Illinois. In this race, I broke the right front spindle, pitted to repair it, then jammed the shifter in between 2 gears. I finished the race, on 3 wheels, and locked in 1st gear.	John, with his Championship-winning MAORA Class 11 Buggy.
John's newest car, and his hauler, both painted to match.	John's dad's car in '05. John hand-built the body, and installed the graphics.	John's dad's UMP Late Model in '07. Graphics were by John.	John's uncle Tom's car.
John's cousin Jeff's car.