JOHN LOMBARDO RACING NEWS

Hoosier Burn Camp ‘Day at the Races’ Makes Annual Return to Pit Area of Defending Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals Winner John Lombardo Jr. on September 1

Racers and children from Hoosier Burn Camp will again join for a “Day at the Races” on September 1 during the 2018 Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals.

INDIANAPOLIS, August 29, 2018 – The grandest stage on the fastest-accelerating motorsport on the planet means more than an opportunity for glory for racers such as Top Alcohol Funny Car driver John Lombardo Jr., who has experienced the thrill of winning the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals as a driver last year and as a crewmember during his father’s Funny Car win in the late Raymond Beadle’s famed Blue Max in 1985. The luring sights and sounds at the most prestigious event on the NHRA tour along with the willingness of the drag racing community to help others have created a platform for Lombardo to annually host children from Hoosier Burn Camp for a memorable “Day at the Races.”

Lombardo, car owner Rick Jackson and the other members of the NAPA Filters/Lucas Oil Chevrolet Camaro team aim to raise funds for Hoosier Burn Camp and the Racers for Christ Kids Program with an online auction on Facebook and by accepting donations. On Saturday, Sept. 1, they provide “A Day at the Races,” a program bringing 50 2-to-16-year-old children from Hoosier Burn Camp to the track for a fun-filled day at no expense to their families.

The children be in for a fun-filled day that lasts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. that will be complete with games, activities and the behind-the-scenes activity of a top caliber race team. A highlight of the day will be an autograph session beginning at 11:30 a.m. that will be attended by John Force, Courtney Force, Brittany Force, Jack Beckman, Erica Enders, Angelle Sampey and many other drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

“We are just a few years into hosting the Hoosier Burn Camp at the U.S. Nationals, but it already feels like a tradition,” said Lombardo. “Campers, along with their friends and families, have made the biggest and most prestigious drag race of the year that much more special for our whole team. Last year, we were fortunate to enjoy the win at ‘the Big Go’ and put the Hoosier Burn Camp logo in the winner’s circle.”

The amplified magnitude of hosting the “Day at the Races” event that is so important in the lives of the children from Hoosier Burn Camp while simultaneously engaged in competing at the biggest event on his annual racing calendar has only brought out the best in Lombardo, on and off the track. His victory last year was perhaps the biggest of his career, and Lombardo has a repeat performance in his sights.

“While winning, welcoming new fans, and sharing the excitement of NHRA Drag Racing are not always mutually exclusive, know that we have exactly that goal in mind,” said Lombardo. “Your first Wally – at the Texas Motorplex in Dallas for me – holds a special place. Enjoying victory at home at Pomona with friends and family is fantastic. Winning Indy puts you on the list; you're in a different club. To a Funny Car pilot, there's not a bigger circle or target in the country!”

"Day at the Races" is brought to you by Jackson Lombardo Racing, Hoosier Burn Camp, Centre Pointe Collision Centers and Racers For Christ Kids. It is also supported by Moore Restoration, Finke Equipment, Accelerated Travel, Lucas Oil, Chicago Metal, ATI, GEFS, TSMGI, Napa Filters,

John Force Racing, NHRA, Wayne Township Fire Dept., ProThings Apparal, Mahle-Clevite, PHS, NGK Spark Plugs, Hoosier Trainer and VP Racing. Lombardo welcomes team sponsors Benmit and Arvada Excavating.

The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals takes place this weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis on Aug. 29-Sept. 3. Tickets and information are available on www.NHRA.com.

Jackson Lombardo Racing is hosting “A Day at the Races” with Hoosier Burn Camp on Saturday, September 1. For more information about Hoosier Burn Camp, please visit www.hoosierburncamp.org.

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About Jackson Lombardo Racing
Jackson Lombardo Racing was formed in 2014 when two successful Southern California-based Top Alcohol Funny Car teams led by driver John Lombardo Jr. and owner/crew chief Rick Jackson combined resources. Lombardo grew up the son of Funny Car driver “Lil’ John” Lombardo and competed in open-wheel racing for 15 years before entering the NHRA ranks in 2009. Lombardo is the national speed record holder at 274.61 mph. He is the 2011 Division 7 champion, the 2013 and 2015-2017 Central Region champion, a multiple-time national event winner, and a two-time winner of the prestigious JEGS Allstars event. The JLR team also includes Chris Perl, Scott Manning, Lew Larson, Les Davenport, and LuAnn Bishop.

(High-resolution photography from Auto Imagery is available upon request.)

Contact for media inquiries:
LuAnn Bishop
317-498-5913
[email protected]

LAS VEGAS, April 4, 2018 – John Lombardo Jr. is ready to make his 2018 season debut at this weekend’s DENSO Spark Plugs Four-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas with a new car and the same mindset that drove the NAPA Auto Parts/Lucas Oil Chevy Camaro Top Alcohol Funny Car team to nine total wins in 2017.

Though eager to begin his pursuit of the 2018 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series championship, Lombardo and team patiently put a new race car together while others put their first competitive runs in the books in Pomona and Gainesville. Once the thorough process was completed at the team’s Southern California headquarters, they gained valuable information with the new frame at a test session at Auto Club Famoso Raceway before venturing out to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Lombardo doesn’t foresee five months’ time elapsed or a whole new race car tempering the considerable momentum he gained with wins in Las Vegas and Pomona to close the 2017 season in November. He drives with confidence knowing that the team surrounding him has immaculately prepared the supercharged, methanol-burning hot rod.

“Rick Jackson, Chris Perl, and crew are known to take first class race cars to the starting line,” said Lombardo. “Their efforts produce results as evidenced by nine wins in 17 races last year, including Vegas and Pomona in November. Our offseason has been a bit longer than normal, but it was extremely busy and productive.

“We are debuting a new McKinney Camaro and starting our season this weekend at Las Vegas. I can't wait to let the clutch out and pour the power to it, so we can see what this car needs to run up front and trigger those win lights!”

The reigning Central Region champion had a fruitful 2017 campaign with nine victories that included a perfect six-for-six sweep in regional event competition. His three national event wins included the most prestigious site on the schedule, the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Not ones to rest on their laurels, Lombardo and team owner Jackson are methodically looking ahead at the tasks at hand to do one better than their runner-up finish in the national championship.

You can follow Lombardo on his web site and social media (Facebook and Twitter).


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About Jackson Lombardo Racing

Jackson Lombardo Racing was formed in 2014 when two successful Southern California-based Top Alcohol Funny Car teams led by driver John Lombardo Jr. and owner/crew chief Rick Jackson combined resources. Lombardo grew up the son of Funny Car driver “Lil’ John” Lombardo and competed in openwheel racing for 15 years before entering the NHRA ranks in 2009. Lombardo is the national speed record holder at 274.61 mph. He is the 2011 Division 7 champion, the 2013 and 2015-2016 Central Region champion, a multiple-time national event winner, and a two-time winner of the prestigious JEGS Allstars event. The JLR team also includes Chris Perl, Scott Manning, Mike Pavia, Les Davenport, and LuAnn Bishop.