Braun Racing's Jason Leffler hopes to end winless skid in Nationwide race at ORP
Jason Leffler’s love for O’Reilly Raceway Park goes beyond his victory there in 2007 in what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series.
The Braun Racing driver made the .686-mile his home in the earlier days of his career, running many United States Auto Club events. Living in Indianapolis at the time, Leffler spent many days and nights at the track and surrounding gathering places.
So for Leffler, who hasn't won in the past 68 races, going back there for this weekend’s Kroger 200 Nationwide race truly is like going home. Heading into this weekend's event, Leffler is fourth in the series standings and has five top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 19 starts.
“ORP is an exciting track for me,” Leffler said. “Obviously, I’ve raced there a lot. It’s a big week of racing. It seems to kick off with Gateway. I just love the place. It’s really my home track and the place I’ve raced at the most in my career.”
Leffler gave Toyota its first victory in the series with his win in ’07, but that was far from the first time he’s won at ORP. Leffler is seventh all-time in victories at the track, tying him with Parnelli Jones.
In addition to his win in 2007, Leffler also has four USAC Midget races and two Silver Crown events. He still holds the Silver Crown track record set in 2000.
Leffler will have plenty of family and friends in attendance for Saturday’s Nationwide race, as well as Thursday’s USAC Midget event.
“As well as we ran there a couple years ago, it’d be cool to get another win there,” he said. “I’m going to run my USAC Midget there on Thursday night, so maybe I can start it off with a win there in the USAC race and then carry it on.”
