Jake Johnson Toughs It Out To Leave Lima With Points

Jake Johnson really isn’t a “cushion” track rider, but he headed to the Lima Half-Mile looking forward to letting it all hang out on his new Estenson Racing Indian Scout FTR750. Unfortunately for Johnson, he went into one of the most physical races of the season at a disadvantage – recovering from a training injury to his right leg that had him not quite a hundred percent.

In spite of the setback, Johnson pushed forward and worked his way through another tough start of the day to keep moving forward and continue to make improvements throughout the day. He overcame a dismal qualifying session, a seventh-place finish in the Heat and got a good jump on the restart of the Semi to get out of the pea-gravel spray and ride his own race to finish fifth. Johnson felt even better in the Main, but unfortunately burned his brakes up early and went on to keep it on two wheels to finish 12^th. Although still not the results the former two-time Grand National Champion has been searching for, he felt he made progress on his new machine and looks forward to the New York Short Track which is more his style.

Jake Johnson – AFT Twins #5:

“Going into the Main, I knew it was going to be tough, but I got a really good start from the second row. I was actually feeling pretty good; was feeling pretty racy actually, but my physical condition wasn’t the greatest today. I was charging hard at the beginning and once I lost the brakes I kind of just tried to pace myself and make sure I finished.

“It was a pretty rough week, but we came out of here with something. I think we learned a little more about the bike too, which is good. I’m really looking forward to next week. Hopefully get some good rest this week and feel 100%. I think New York is going to be my kind of track.”

Catch the race on NBCSN, July 7 at 2:00 p.m. ET.

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