2024 season summary
The 2024 season for JFG Motorsports was the beginning of a new chapter. The team purchased a Pro Late Model, a step-up from the Street Stocks and Super Stocks Gusty has raced before. The team decided to focus on quality races instead of quantity, as a total of 29 races between 4 different cars was raced last year. JFG Motorsports agreed to put forth their best effort at every race to learn and improve their operations.
May:
-5/4: Lancaster Motorplex - Pro Late Model: 5th
JFG motorsports unveiled their newly purchased Pro Late Model at Lancaster Motorplex. With months of anticipation and limited practice 3 days prior at a different track, the team looked to make some laps around the track and learn how the car raced against other Pro Late Models. Gusty completed all the laps in the event and brought the car to a 5th place finish. While the team heads home happy, it is evident there needs to be some improvement to be made on the car. This race with the Pro Late Model is a big milestone for JFG Motorsports, as it has been 13 years in the making up to this point.
June:
-6/8: Holland Speedway - Pro Late Model: 1st
With a full month of preparation, the team would participate in the first Race of Champions Pro Late Model event of the season. The team’s goal for this race was to get more seat time for the driver, data, and experience. Well, it was evident that the team stuck on a good set-up for the car, as Gusty qualified 2nd for the event out of 14 drivers. During the race, Gusty quickly gained the lead after starting 4th and led his first couple of laps in a Pro Late Model. A couple of cautions bunched the field back up, as Gusty would battle for the lead. After the final caution in the event, Gusty prevailed back to the lead and was able to hold off the rest of the field to score his first ever Pro Late Model victory. Unbelievably, Gusty won this race in his second race in the Pro Late Model division.
July:
-7/12: Spencer Speedway - Pro Late Model:
Uncaractaeristicly, Gusty wount race or practice a car in over a month. This make the Spencer Speedway race highly anticipated for the team. This also is concidered a home race with many friends, family and sponsors in attenance. With the momentum from last race,
August:
-8/2: North Wilkesboro Speedway - Compact: 16th -8/3: North Wilkesboro Speedway - Compact: 14th -8/6: Oswego Speedway - Super Stock: 6th -8/13: Lancaster Motorplex - Street Stock: 2nd -8/20: Lancaster Motorplex - Street Stock: 2nd
The trip to North Wilkesboro was amazing and well worth the drive. Jacob was the first compact to turn laps at the track and was fast but we just had some handling troubles. Jacob ran all 4 b and a mains for the 2 day weekend. He was the only car to run every green flag lap during the whole weekend. We think he had the most laps of any FWD compact there. Back in New York, Gusty got back to back 2nd place runs in the street stock division; a huge accomplishment to the team.
September:
-9/2: Oswego Speedway - Compact: 4th -9/3: Oswego Speedway - Compact: 2nd -9/10: Lancaster Motorplex - Super Stock: 2nd
The stig made a surprise guest appearance at Oswego for the Friday race, as Corey Copeland drove the red white and blue 66 compact. Gusty coached him throughout the day, giving corey a 4th place finish. Jacob took the wheel Saturday and started in the rear. He passed over 30 cars in 16 laps but came up one spot short of winning the race. This would mark the last race the compact would compete in for JFG Motorsports. Also, Gusty raced the super stock race in the US Open weekend at Lancaster. He had his best finish of the season in the super stock division, after finishing one spot short again.
October:
-10/1: Street Stock: Lancaster Motorplex - Street Stock: 6th -10/14: Wyoming County International Speedway - Street Stock: 3rd -10/15: Wyoming County International Speedway - Super Stock: 8th
The last month of the racing season showed off the teams real speed. The street stock was the fastest it has been all year, however, a spin would change the outcome of the US Open race for us. The car loosened up and caused a bent RF shock. Jacob would recover to a 6th pace finish. Then, the team converted the street stock into a super stock for Wyoming County. After lots of hard work and issues straightened out, the team shaved 2 seconds off their lap times and finished 3rd in the race. The super stock was a rocket ship. Jacob led many laps until a 50 cent part in the distributor broke and the engine lost all drive off the corner. This was another race that just got away from us.
Summary: Overall the super stock was a new car; it took a little time to work out a few bugs. Tom built a great car and made upgrades to help Jacob be even faster. Jacob is super proud that the car was never seriously damaged throughout the season.
The compact was just what it has always been; a solid car. The Southern trips exposed a few weaknesses but we sorted them out and leaned a bunch. This was the last year running a compact and we recently sold the whole program. It was not an easy decision but it was the right move to keep Jacob’s progression going forward.
The street stock was a huge learning experience. Our plan was to have Jacob drive it how we bought it for a few races and then make changes so Jacob knew the changes to the car. Jacob made huge gains with the car and it was faster as the season went on. We also made a new friend, Ken Maltby, who helped us with the car as he was the past owner.
Jacob won the rookie of the year in the Lancaster street stock division.
Overall it was a great year. Jacob grew as a driver; we learned a great deal as a team, made some new teammates and really enjoyed the racing.
Thank you to all of our fans, family, supporters, and sponsors. Without all your support, we wouldn’t be able to do this.
The compact was just what it has always been; a solid car. The Southern trips exposed a few weaknesses but we sorted them out and leaned a bunch. This was the last year running a compact and we recently sold the whole program. It was not an easy decision but it was the right move to keep Jacob’s progression going forward.
The street stock was a huge learning experience. Our plan was to have Jacob drive it how we bought it for a few races and then make changes so Jacob knew the changes to the car. Jacob made huge gains with the car and it was faster as the season went on. We also made a new friend, Ken Maltby, who helped us with the car as he was the past owner.
Jacob won the rookie of the year in the Lancaster street stock division.
Overall it was a great year. Jacob grew as a driver; we learned a great deal as a team, made some new teammates and really enjoyed the racing.
Thank you to all of our fans, family, supporters, and sponsors. Without all your support, we wouldn’t be able to do this.