The 2018-19 season has been a positive one for Wingless Sprint driver Jacob Jolley, but last Saturday night it got a whole lot better, with the 22-year-old emerging victorious in the feature race on home soil at Lismore Speedway, locking up the Driver to America Series in the process.
Having been in front-running contention for the series throughout the season by virtue of his consistency, Jolley was already sitting atop the point standings heading into last Saturday night’s final series round. However, with the unique format meaning that the final series standings come down to the feature race, Jolley was anything but relaxed.
While he was thankfully set to start the 30-lap feature race from pole position due to his points lead, the Lismore local’s night wasn’t without incident, with a DNF in his third and final heat race well and truly adding to his nerves.
Knowing that all he needed to do was take the early lead and hit his marks throughout the distance, Jolley showed impressive composure throughout the feature race, refusing to let the pressure get the better of him and going on to greet the chequered flag in first place – cementing his status as the Driver to America Series Champion.
“I was definitely nervous heading into the feature race but I knew I’d done everything I could to get myself in the best possible position, so I just had to focus and not psych myself out,” said Jolley, who won his opening heat race and placed third in his second.
“The week leading up to the race was a massive one and the public holidays made it even harder, because I wasn’t able to distract myself with work, but in the end we were all able to keep it together when we needed to and come away with the overall series win.”
While it’s Jolley who pilots the NX # 82 Lismore Nissan & Kia backed Maxim car, there are a number of people who help to make his job as a driver as easy as possible and Jolley is quick to pay homage to them.
“It’s been a massive team effort to make winning the series a possibility, so this is definitely the best way to thank the team for their hard work and support,” he added.
“My dad (Jason) and uncle (Paul O’Neill) are without a doubt the reason that I’ve been able to improve as a driver. Their mentoring and advice is invaluable and I can’t thank them enough for all they continue to do for me.”
Having not nominated for this weekend’s Queensland Title due to sustaining a hand injury in a recent racing incident that he wasn’t sure would have healed in time, Jolley’s next outing will be the 50 Lapper event at Brisbane’s Archerfield Speedway on the Saturday night of May 11.
Throughout the 2018-19 season, Jolley is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Lismore Nissan & Kia
North Coast Petroleum
Valvoline Oils
Wrapt Signs
Troy Rose Painting
B&T Sheds
Territory Road Marking
Caravan City Sales
Jake McRae Excavation
The Glenapp Boys
Special thanks go to Jason, Paul, and the rest of Jolley’s family and friends.
To find out more about Jolley and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Jacob Jolley Racing.
