Dirt Late Model Racer Josh McGuire Has a Successful 2011 Season

Josh McGuire and his and his U.S. Steel #41 car
Josh McGuire and his and his U.S. Steel #41 car
In motorsports, a seasons success can often be defined by looking at the number of trophy's sitting on the mantle at the end of the year. For Grayson, Kentucky dirt late model driver Josh McGuire, 2011 turned out to be a season full of mantle fillers.
Josh McGuire and the JMR race team #41
Josh McGuire and the JMR race team #41


"Overall, this year was a success," McGuire said. "We really had a great car all year. We were a top five contender at most events we entered."

McGuire finished the season with 6 wins, 12 top 5's, and 15 top 10's in 32 events. He captured career-defining wins at the Butterball Woolridge Memorial Race at Richmond Raceway Park in Ky. and in a $5,000 to win open race at Atomic Raceway in Ohio. The end of the season was particularly strong for McGuire.

"We really turned a corner in our performance late in the year and got a winning groove going," McGuire said. "We were really sad to see (the season) come to an end."

The season wasn't all a success though. McGuire and his team found the television spotlight for all of the wrong reasons during the Jackson 100, one of the teams favorite events. McGuire flipped seven times in a race televised on SPEED, making highlight reels for years to come. But despite the wreck and an engine failure that caused McGuire to sit out a few weeks, the team broke through in the most important race of the season.

The $7,500 payday at the Butterball Woolridge Memorial Race was certainly a gratifying moment for McGuire and his U.S. Steel #41 team. McGuire had finished in the runner-up position multiple times at the event, and while the payout was the richest of the season, the win was gratifying for bigger reasons.

"Winning the Butterball Memorial was very special to me and my team. Finally capturing the win at this race, and honoring such a wonderful racer, was quite an accomplishment, and of course one that could not be done without the help of K&N," McGuire said.

With the 2012 season on the horizon, McGuire and his JMR team have an ambitious schedule in the works.

"Things are coming together well for JMR," McGuire said. "We plan to head south for Speedweeks in February to kick off the season. Then we'll return home, regroup and get ready for our regions kickoff in April. We are planning on running an outlaw type of schedule, with several series including the Lucas Oil and World of Outlaws events. Ending on such a positive note in 2011 really helps to carry momentum into this season. We are excited and ready to get back on the track."

McGuire and his team said they would like to thank K&N for their continued support. "K&N has been with us from the beginning. They really provide a competitive advantage."

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