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| July 08, 2008 News |
| eKartingNews.com Driver of the Month - Jason Foley - June 2008 |
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 | Jason Foley - EKN Driver of the Month - June 2008
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
In a continued effort to highlight the many outstanding performances by drivers around the country, eKartingNews.com is proud to introduce the ‘Driver of the Month’ program. Each month, the staff at EKN will determine the one driver who stood out above the rest and give the viewers a chance to know exactly what they accomplished and who they are.
If you were walking around the paddock of a WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series event, you would notice the ‘usual suspects’ and veterans that run up front at each and every track on the circuit. One name or face you might not recognize is that of Jason Foley. When everyone began packing up following the Racersites.com Grand Nationals at Badger Raceway and the podium ceremonies presenting the WKA Eagles for each win were handed out, Foley needed some assistance. Three Eagles had his name etched on the name plate following his three-win performance on the weekend.
On day one, Foley swept all the track sessions for the Yamaha Heavy class, including a four-second win for his first Eagle of the weekend while finishing fifth in the competitive Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Lite division. Day two would be even sweeter. He repeated the same feat the Yamaha Lite category as its Saturday counterpart for Eagle number two. What was the highlight of the weekend was the final race of the event, Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Heavy.
The top two all day had been former Triple Crown winner Corey Reeves and multi-time champion Mark Dismore Jr. with Josh Call and Foley on their tail. The twenty lap final saw the quartet mix it up for 20-laps with Foley and Call getting the edge on the veterans in the final two laps. Foley would hold off Call for his third win of the weekend and without question his best weekend performance of his career on the kart track.
Part of Foley’s success is that the Badger Raceway in Dousman, WI, where he began his karting adventure. Introduced to the sport in 2003 through his grandfather Mike Purcell, a longtime karter, Foley got his start in the Junior Briggs class at the Badger Kart Club. After a year, he moved up to the 2-cycle Junior class where he would earn two BKC championships, one in Jr. Can and one in Jr. SSX Can. In 2006, Foley attended some regional events, earning a couple victories along the way. Moving to the Senior ranks in 2007, Foley continued to improve running at the club level and the Midwest Sprint Series. The year was highlighted with his first ever WKA Grand National Eagle at USA International Raceway in Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Heavy.
A knee injury playing basketball one month later put Foley on the sidelines for the remainder of the year, coming back behind the wheel in December 2007 for the WKA Daytona Kartweek. With three rounds of the WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series, Foley is third in the Yamaha Sr. Sportsman Heavy division, while sitting seventh in Yamaha Lite, Yamaha Heavy and Yamaha Sr, Sportsman Lite. Foley is also battling for the championships in the Yamaha Medium and Yamaha Sr. SuperCan divisions of the Midwest Sprint Series - where he earned a second and first respectively at the MRP of South Bend event at the end of the month.
 | Jason Foley earned three WKA Eagles at the Man. Cup Grand National at Badger Raceway
(Photo: Go Racing Magazine) |
June 2008 EKN Driver of the Month - Jason Foley
Bio:
Date of Birth: January 1, 1991 : Age - 17
Hometown: Sun Prairie, WI
Parents: Tonya Foley and Jim Larson
Sibling(s): None
Height/Weight: 6’ - 145lbs.
Education: Sun Prairie High School
Occupation: Student, Franklin Motorsports (Part-time)
Racing Resume:
Team Name: Purcell Racing
Chassis: Merlin
Engine and Engine Builder: Yamaha - Switch Racing Engines
Sponsors: Franklin Motorsports, Switch Racing Engines, Purcell Racing
Series you compete in: WKA Manufacturer’s Cup Series, Midwest Sprint Series
Years Karting: Six
Accomplishments:
- Four-time WKA Grand National Champion
- Two-time Badger Kart Club Champion - Jr. Can and Jr. SSX Can
How did you get started in karting? My grandfather (Mike Purcell) got me involved as fun thing to do
What has been the high point in your racing career? 2008 WKA Grand Nationals at Badger Raceway - Three Eagles
In a few words, how would you describe your driving style? Clean racer but aggressive
Funniest moment at the race track? Mechanic race at South Bend for Midwest Sprint Series race in 2008, wrecking in the first turn
What are your goals in racing? Try to win the WKA Yamaha Sr. Sportsman championship and win as many races as possible
Likes:
Favorite Track: Lowe’s
Favorite form of professional motorsports: NASCAR
Favorite karting driver: Kevin Nelson
Favorite professional driver: Jimmy Johnson
If you could have anyone, who do you want holding your helmet in victory lane? Jimmy Johnson
Favorite web sites: worldkarting.com, racersites.com
Favorite movie: Billy Madison
Favorite actor: Paul Walker
Favorite music: Anything Country
Favorite vacation/activity spot: Orlando, FL
Favorite food: Tacos
The Real Deal:
What do you do when not at the track? Play video games and hanging out with friends
What are your goals outside of karting? To drive in NASCAR one day
What type of street car do you drive? 1994 Chevy Beretta
What type of car would you like to drive? Lamborghini
What are your pet peeves or things that irritate you? Not having a clean house, people leaving things unorganized
What do you think could be done to improve the sport of karting? More opportunities to move up into the other forms of motorsports, especially NASCAR
What are your favorite aspects about the sport of karting? Competition level, the tracks, and the people you meet at events.
June Driver of the Month - Honorable Mentions:
- Travis Firing: New Castle Motorsports Park Ironman 150 winner, WKA Man. Cup Series Grand National - TaG Final #2 winner
- Chris Larson: Two-time WKA Man. Cup Series Grand National winner and point leader, New Castle Motorsports Park Ironman 150 - 3rd place |
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