Herzog-Jackson Motorsports
Encyclopedia
Herzog-Jackson Motorsports was a NASCAR Busch Series team based in Charlotte, North Carolina
. Originating as Herzog Motorsports, the team was owned by Bill, Randy, and Stan Herzog. In its final year, the team was co-owned by former Oakland A's and New York Yankees
player Reggie Jackson
. The team is notable for fielding two future champions in Todd Bodine
and Jimmie Johnson
.
team. The team won the 1998 SODA
Pro-2 (rear wheel drive) championship with rookie driver Rick Johnson
. Johnson won 6 of 16 events.
and American Speed Association
driver Jimmie Johnson
, who had previously worked with them in SODA. Sponsored by wireless company Alltel
, Johnson would finish 10th in the points and place third in the 2000 Rookie of the Year points, behind Ron Hornaday
and Kevin Harvick
. Johnson's rookie year was notable for a crash at Watkins Glen International
, where his brakes failed heading into turn 1 and he slammed the barrier head on. He was not injured and even pumped his fists after exiting the car. After Alltel left for Penske Racing
, Johnson remained with the team for 2001, sponsored by Excedrin
. Johnson gave the team its first ever win at the inaugural race at Chicagoland Speedway
. Herzog's plans were to field a Cup team with Johnson, but he had already signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports
for 2002. Herzog then turned to Todd Bodine
. Bodine would take the team's second win at Kentucky Speedway
and finished 23rd in points. After Excedrin's departure, Herzog Motorsports joined with former baseball player Reggie Jackson to form Herzog-Jackson Motorsports in 2003. With Bodine back at the wheel, the team took its third and final victory at Darlington Raceway
. Despite the added presence of fame, the team had sponsors for a few races, but could not attract a major sponsor to pay the bills, despite Bodine leading the points. Troubles were evident when the team skipped the Chicago race and Bodine was released. HJM returned at Kansas
with Jeff Green
, who finished 11th. That would be the final race for the team, as they shut down near the end of the season.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Originating as Herzog Motorsports, the team was owned by Bill, Randy, and Stan Herzog. In its final year, the team was co-owned by former Oakland A's and New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
player Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
. The team is notable for fielding two future champions in Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine is a NASCAR driver. Todd is the younger brother of former racers Geoff Bodine and Brett Bodine. Bodine is known for his bald head, which has given him the nickname The Onion...
and Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
.
SODA
Herzog Motorsports started as an off-road racingOff-road racing
Off-road racing is a format of racing where various classes of specially modified vehicles compete in races through off-road environments.-North America:...
team. The team won the 1998 SODA
SODA (series)
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was an off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.-History:...
Pro-2 (rear wheel drive) championship with rookie driver Rick Johnson
Rick Johnson
Rick Johnson may refer to:* Rick Johnson , American actor and director, and former CFL quarterback* Ricky Johnson , American motocross, NASCAR and off-road racer* Rick Johnson , American musician and bass player...
. Johnson won 6 of 16 events.
Breeding of Champions
HJM debuted in 2000 as Herzog Motorsports with SODASODA (series)
The Short-course Off-road Drivers Association was an off-road racing sanctioning body in the United States.-History:...
and American Speed Association
American Speed Association
The American Speed Association is a sanctioning body of motorsports in the United States formed in 1968. The Association was based in Pendleton, Indiana and currently is headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. ASA was most famous for a national touring series which began in 1973 but was...
driver Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
, who had previously worked with them in SODA. Sponsored by wireless company Alltel
Alltel
Alltel Corporation is a wireless service provider, primarily based in the United States. Before an acquisition by Verizon Wireless, it served 34 states. After the merger, Alltel continues to serve six states, mostly in rural areas...
, Johnson would finish 10th in the points and place third in the 2000 Rookie of the Year points, behind Ron Hornaday
Ron Hornaday
Ronald Hornaday, Jr. is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is the father of former NASCAR driver Ronnie Hornaday, and son of the late Ron Hornaday, Sr., a two-time Winston West Champion. Adding on to the family legacy, Ron is a four-time champion in the Truck Series, his most recent...
and Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
. Johnson's rookie year was notable for a crash at Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International
Watkins Glen International is an auto race track located near Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The facility is owned by International Speedway Corporation...
, where his brakes failed heading into turn 1 and he slammed the barrier head on. He was not injured and even pumped his fists after exiting the car. After Alltel left for Penske Racing
Penske Racing
Penske Racing is a racing team that competes in the IndyCar Series and NASCAR. They also previously competed in road racing, and Formula One. Penske Racing is a division of Penske Corporation, and is owned and chaired by Roger Penske...
, Johnson remained with the team for 2001, sponsored by Excedrin
Excedrin
Excedrin is an over-the-counter headache pain reliever, typically in the form of tablets or caplets. It contains acetaminophen , aspirin, and caffeine. Until late 2005 it was manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, but in July 2005 it was purchased by Novartis, along with other products from BMS's...
. Johnson gave the team its first ever win at the inaugural race at Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. The speedway opened in 2001 and currently hosts NASCAR racing including the opening event in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Until 2011, the speedway also hosted the IZOD IndyCar Series, recording...
. Herzog's plans were to field a Cup team with Johnson, but he had already signed a deal with Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports
Hendrick Motorsports , originally named All Star Racing, is a current American auto racing team created in 1984 by Rick Hendrick. The team currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Chevrolet Impalas...
for 2002. Herzog then turned to Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine is a NASCAR driver. Todd is the younger brother of former racers Geoff Bodine and Brett Bodine. Bodine is known for his bald head, which has given him the nickname The Onion...
. Bodine would take the team's second win at Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway
Kentucky Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Sparta, Kentucky, which has hosted ARCA, NASCAR and Indy Racing League racing annually since it opened in 2000. The track is currently owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports, Inc. and Jerry Carroll, who, along with four other investors, owned...
and finished 23rd in points. After Excedrin's departure, Herzog Motorsports joined with former baseball player Reggie Jackson to form Herzog-Jackson Motorsports in 2003. With Bodine back at the wheel, the team took its third and final victory at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
. Despite the added presence of fame, the team had sponsors for a few races, but could not attract a major sponsor to pay the bills, despite Bodine leading the points. Troubles were evident when the team skipped the Chicago race and Bodine was released. HJM returned at Kansas
Kansas Speedway
Kansas Speedway is a tri-oval race track in Kansas City, Kansas. The speedway was built in 2001 and currently hosts two annual NASCAR race weekends. The IndyCar Series also raced at the speedway until 2011...
with Jeff Green
Jeff Green (NASCAR)
Jeffery Green is an American stock car driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He currently drives part time in the Nationwide Series for Tri-Star Motorsports in their #44 entry and the Sprint Cup Series for Front Row Motorsports in their #55 entry.Green's 1990 Nashville Speedway USA championship...
, who finished 11th. That would be the final race for the team, as they shut down near the end of the season.