Special Thanks to Terry Callahan for
Use of My Favorite JP Photo

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August 7, 2002 - John Paul Jr Overlooked by NASCAR Teams in Search of Premier Hired Guns

With the road race at Watkins Glen looming upon us again, I just have to come out and say something about the "hired guns." While this is not necessarily a practice I agree with -- in many ways it defeats the purpose of a driver being able to prove their mettle by competing on ALL types of race tracks -- if you are going to hire a road course specialist, why on earth hasn't a NASCAR team talked to John Paul, Jr., acknowledged as one of the premier road racers in motorsports, to drive their car? Not only is John a tremendous road racer, he is also in great demand as a teacher at various road racing schools, such as Justin Bell's Driving School.

In a country such as ours which prides itself on fairness and equity, IF the only reason John hasn't been approached for driving in a road race is the ancient history of his father's criminal past--well, it's certainly way past time that the sins of the fathers should NOT be visited on the son. If that's the reason--well, now THAT's criminal. JP has more than paid for the crime of being loyal to his father. Despite the lack of guts of people with major sponsorship money to come forward and sponsor John, nevertheless he has persistently competed in various motorsports events. Lack of sponsorship $$$ has kept him out of more events.

John Paul, Jr. led at the Indy 500, with a reputable (if not big-budget team) 4 years ago, and JP won the Inaugural Texas Motor Speedway's IRL event. The man has been competitive in every series he has ever raced in and the man can drive....Come on, someone out there looking for a genuinely skilled road racer--why don't you give John Paul Jr. a call? If you don't know how to reach him, contact me and I will put you in direct touch with him.

If anyone out there in racing land is looking for a skilled, professional and talented driver, they need look no further. Frankly, John Paul, Jr. is one of the most gracious, humble, self-effacing and uplifting men I have had the extreme privilege to know. He has quietly triumphed through years of pain brought on by his unfortunate family situation. It's time someone in racing has the courage to cut the man a break and offered him a quality ride and opportunity to show what he can do. The man is a class act; make no mistake about that.

Did I mention he's also a helluva road-racer?

by Valerie J. Wood

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