RPW Column: Jason Armstrong Ready To Move To Sportsman At Accord For 2020 Season

RPW Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – RHINEBECK, NY – After a successful season running in the Rookie Sportsman division in 2019, Jason Armstrong is moving up to race with the Sportsman at Accord Speedway in 2020.

“I felt that I had a pretty good season in 2019,” Armstrong said. “We had a win and came close on some other occasions. With my team’s co-owner Art Ferris and some great sponsors, we are confident that we will have a good 2020 season.”

Jason first became interested in racing while living in the state of Florida.

“I was a crew member for Darrel Smith at East Bay and I just fell in love with the sport and sprint cars,” he said. “Smith’s car owner Ken Sands (former OCFS General Manager) taught me a lot about racing and the sport in general. I leaned many different aspects of racing such as sponsorship from him.”

As Jason moved back to New York, he became a crew member for Mike Kolka for many years. And the 12 time OCFS Modified feature winner became a mentor to him.

“I learned so much from Mike working on his cars and it’s great to have him as part of our team,” he said. “We have become great friends. I rely heavily on him, he has the knowledge.”

Jason first raced Sportsman in 2018, racing at many of the tracks in the area. He settled into Accord’s Rookie division in 2019. For 2020, in addition to racing for points at Accord, Armstrong’s team may also do some races in the Rookie’s at Orange County.

“Our main goal is to finish in the top 10 in Accord’s points,” Jason said. “We may do some Rookie races at Middletown, I would love to get a run on the new surface. We would definitely be interested in the Eastern States Weekend Sportsman Race.”

For 2020, the Armstrong team will have some newer equipment.

“We ran a 2004 chassis last year. It ran good, I had a win and Nick Plumstead won a race with it in the Sportsman. For this season, co-owner Art Ferris and myself will have a 2016 Bicknell Chassis that’s been all updated with new equipment,” he said. “Our team is very pumped up about the upcoming season. Look for our car at the OCFS Motorsports Show.”

Sponsors for the team include Valley View Landscaping (Kingston), Di Bella’s Pizza Shop (Kingston), Raj’s Deli Mart (Kingston), Ulster County Glass and Mirror (Kingston), Bengal Motors (Kingston), Bowler’s Edge Pro Shop (Chester), MJK Home Maintenance (Middletown) and Discount Printing Industries (Pine Bush).

Crew members are crew chief Mike Kolka, Art Ferris and the Ferris Family, John Grube, Brian Cable and Melik. The crew also appreciates what Lisa Punzone and Jessica Kolka do for the team on race nights, bringing all the food for the group.

Jason Armstrong and his team are very enthusiastic as the 2020 season approaches. Looking for this up and coming racer to be a contender at Accord this season.