Dan Pardus Press Release- Bluegrass Quality 200

August 30, 2000

MAKING LAPS

Dan Pardus finished 35th in the Kentucky Bluegrass Quality Meats 200 in a borrowed car.

Speaking after the race, Dan commented, "We just didn't have the time to make the set-up on the car fit track conditions. We had less than an hour pre-race track time and little time to install and adjust our set-up package. It just didn't work out." Because of several early caution flags in the race. Dan was able to pit three times without losing a lap to make some adjustments. On the restarts, Dan was able to drive past the ten or twelve cars in the back of the field, but the car did not have the handling necessary to drive its way into the top twenty.

To save the engine and not risk an accident in Rich Woodland's car, the team decided to end the day on lap 34. Rich Woodland's primary car No. 7 blew an engine on lap 38. "We were the "bad luck boys" today."

Jim Gardner stated, "We were a two team effort today. There's nothing worse for a race team , then coming to a race and not being able to run. Thanks to Rich Woodland, his family and team, we were able to start the race. We really appreciated their help." By starting the race and making laps, the team was able to protect their 2nd place position in ARCA's Speedway Challenge.

On a lighter note, Jim Gardner's birthday party started and finished in top form. "My two favorite things on a dinner plate are a steak and chocolate cake. We had plenty of both this evening."

BLUEGRASS BIRTHDAY BASH

(8/25/00) Jim Gardner, Co-Owner of Jim & Judie Motorsports with ARCA driver, Dan Pardus cannot remember celebrating a birthday away from a racetrack. Jim’s father was a mechanic for the famed Novis in the Indy 500. Jim first attended the Brickyard Speedway when he was ten in 1946. Later following college, he joined the crew of Jimmy Clark’s Lotus team and also worked for Dan Gurney’s All American Racing Team.

Switching to NASCAR racing, “Big Jim” helped Elmo Langley on that circuit for thirty-five years. In 1992, Jim formed his own ARCA race team when he purchased equipment from Nascar driver, Kenny Schrader. He hired Port Orange native, Dan Pardus as his driver.

Devoted to racing all his life, Jim usually celebrates his birthdays as just another day at the track. A birthday cake and ice cream in back of the transporter with teammates and friends is the usual bill of fare.

This week, Jim celebrates his sixty-fourth birthday and was looking forward to another birthday bash at the track. In Thursday’s practice session, Driver Dan Pardus spun out and hit the turn three wall. The car could not be repaired, and with no backup car in Kentucky, it looked like Jim’s birthday party would be at home in Charlotte.

ARCA drivers are a family. To the rescue came Rich Woodland Racing. Rich qualified fourth for Saturday’s race. With a backup car on the transporter, the team has lent this car to Jim and Dan. On Friday the JJM engine and transmission was installed and set-up adjustments made. Number 7 decals were changed to Number 42. Jim Gardner started to smile again in the garage area. “I really appreciate all that Rich, his father Dick , brother Patrick and Calvin Humphries are doing to help us race this weekend. I hope they can come to my birthday party.”

The birthday party at the track is scheduled as usual. A special Birthday decal for “Big Jim” will adorn the hood of the borrowed Car 42 when the race starts on Saturday. Dan and the crew opted to work on race set-up during Friday’s afternoon practice, and will start the race using a provisional, starting in the 37^th spot.

Jim and Judie Motorsports is a contender for the ARCA speedway challenge this season, and currently stand second, fifty-five points behind Point leader Mark Thompson. A missed race eliminates a team from this Award program. It’s the ARCA Family that’s helping Jim compete this weekend and enjoy his birthday.

Happy Birthday. Big Jim.

"Survivors"

(8/24/2000-Sparta, KY) The Jim & Judie Motorsports Chevy is not quite race ready with qualifying scheduled within the hour. After completing a good few laps, second fastest in the pre-race qualifying practice session, the car got loose in turn three, spun & backed into the wall. "I guess I got a little too aggressive. We thought we could be the fastest, now we're the slowest." Dan commented as he surveyed the damage with co-owner Jim Gardner in the garage area.

All is not done for the JJM team this weekend. "We've got a good engine, and we're knocking on doors to find a car to put it in. We'll know something before the day is done. Meanwhile, the crew is gathering at the motorhome to eat some grub worms, drink rainwater and wait to see if the ARCA Tribal Council votes us out of the garage area.

Stay tuned here for the continuation of "JJM Survivors."