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Joey Granatelli Steps Onto The Podium
- July 8, 2009
The Granatelli name is legendary
in motorsports, they have done it all from Indy and now to off road
racing. Joey Granatelli has raced Trophy Karts for the past few
years and in 2009 stepped up into the SuperLite class. Getting his
truck days before the first race of the season meant that Joey did
not get much testing time but he showed good speed and some skill
behind the wheel. The next race in AZ Joey was a the fastest
qualifier for Saturday's race, a solid step forward in the class
however during Saturday's race Joey was involved in an accident that
left him out of the race for Sunday. Over the long break between
races the Granatelli crew went to work rebuilding the truck. And
while the crew was rebuilding the truck Joey was travelling around
the country taking part in other racing activities such as
doiminitaing a rain soaked sports car race at Virginia International
Raceway.
Rolling into Elsinore Joey was very confident and for good reason, 2
hard fought days of racing finally yielded a podium finish for the
young Granatelli on Sunday with a second place finish.
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Jojo Granatelli wins his first Bertil Roos Series race on his first time out. - Jun 17, 2009
JoJo Granatelli Wins Bertil Roos Race, First Time Out
Once again, Jojo Granatelli, son of J.R. Granatelli of Granatelli Motor
Sports Inc., show his versatility by winning in his first outing in the
Bertil Roos Racing Series. Like most open wheel racing, they run rain
or shine. Jojo's first race started under the dark clouds of VIR Raceway
but by lap 4 of the 20 minute timed race the drizzle came followed by
very heavy showers for the remainder of the race. However nothing could
spot the youngest Granatellis charge to the lead in the 20 car race.
Jojo said, "The harder it rained the more comfortable I felt. It was
like the rest of the cars were going in slow motion. My time of short
course off road racing really paid dividends in teaching me car control
and driving with my back tires." He closed by saying, "this is the
first race I have won when my little brother Vincenzo wasn't at the
track. Halfway through the race I could feel my cell phone vibrating in
my pocket and all I could think was: my dad is going to kill me for not
taking my phone out of my pocket but when the race was over and I took
my phone out, the missed call was from Vincenzo so I guess he was there
after all"
"what can I say" said the eldest Granatelli, J.R., "there was no need to
a 2 way radio was yelling so loud as he drove by each lap all the fans
were laughing as I cheered him on".
Bertil Roos Driving School was established in 1975 and their driving
series has produced some of the hottest drivers over the last decade.
This could be the beginning of great things to come for the next
generation Granatelli racer.
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Joey “JoJo” Granatelli Achieves Maximum Lift in Round 3 of LOORS - April 11, 2009
JoJo Granatelli - Off Road Racing 2009 - April 11, 2009
He may be only 16 years old but JoJo Granatelli has quickly become a seasoned Professional in the SuperLite ranks in every series he has entered. After Qualifying #1 for Saturday’s race in Wittman AZ for round 3 of the Lucas Oil Off Road Series, Granatelli was inverted 4 rows (see footnotes at bottom) placing himself 8th on the grid. By the half way point he was in forth and a few laps later while passing for third Granatelli got a little hot through the whoop section and launched himself nearly 25 feet in the air as he cartwheeled down the track. After several tumbles Granatelli finally came to rest on his roof several 100 feet from where his wild ride had started. When asked what he thought about the trip JoJo said, “I was setting myself up for the next turn and the next thing I know I saw blue sky then the fans in the stands, then blue sky then 2 trucks seemingly driving underneath me. I might have seen Elvis as well, it all happened so fast” The moment the safety crew got Granatelli back right side up, he restarted the truck to try to get back on the lead lap not noticing he was missing the left front wheel and tire. Needless to say, his race weekend was over. Granatelli escaped with only a small gash in his left ankle easily repaired by 7 stitches. In closing JoJo stated, “it’s on now; I have even more to prove to the fans and more importantly myself”. “Thanks to all the well wisher that have called and emailed over the last week”
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Granatelli Returns to Racing in 2009 - January 09, 2009
J.R. Granatelli, owner of
Granatelli Motorsports and famous drag racing champion, has decided to
return to racing. His usual office is a 1,000+HP Pro Stock drag car but
in 2009, J.R. will be switching gears to off-road racing in the 2009
Mickey Thompson SXS Stadium Series. What better way to jump back into
the sport then by garnering the attention of the title sponsor?
Granatelli and Mickey Thompson have agreed to come together and defend
the inaugural title.
With the '09 season getting ready to start, there is an all-star list of
support from the industry's giants & legends. The list includes Mickey
Thompson, Kal Gard Lubricants as well as receiving support from the
industry's largest off-road publication, Off-Road Magazine!
Carl Robinson, Motorsports Manager of Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
said, “We could not have picked a better person to represent the history
and heritage of our company then J.R. The Thompson and Granatelli
families racing connection goes back to the early 60’s when they ran
open wheel and Indy cars.” J.R. Granatelli was quick to say, “WE ARE ALL
IN on this one. We don’t take this support lightly and all of us at Team
Mickey Thompson / Granatelli Motor Sports have our eyes on the prize.”
Adding to the mix will be driving support from a younger Joe Granatelli,
J.R.’s son JoJo Granatelli: “Thanks to my father and grandfather,
there’s over 70-years of Granatelli racing heritage. As the next
generation of Granatelli racer, I’m looking forward to perfecting my
driving skills and the quest for the winner’s circle. Since the SXS
series calls for co-drivers at all events, I look forward to racing with
my father. And, don’t be too surprised if we have a 2-car team by years’
end”.
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Team Granatelli Motor Sports DOMINATES Dallas
Dallas Texas - October 24, 2007 - Championship Off Road Racing, Trophy Kart / MMR:
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The Dynamic Duo of Quentin “Lil tucka” Tucker and Joey “JoJo” Granatelli won three of four races in Dallas, Texas, Friday October 19th and Saturday October 20th, 2007. The CORR Series of Trophy Kart / MMR has quickly become the premier showcase for today’s brightest and most talented youth off road short course racers and 2 of the series most outstanding participants both race under the Granatelli Motor Sports banner. Quentin Tucker, the series points leader, walked away with both Fridays and Saturdays over all wins. Not to be shown up, JoJo Granatelli won Friday and Saturdays main events for an over all third place finish for the weekend. Saturday’s main event and final race of the evening began with Lil Tucka on the pole and JoJo qualified in 7th place after flipping in the days earlier heat race, which also determined the main events starting positions. Right from the start JoJo would not be denied and charged from seventh to 4th place by turn 1. By turn 8, the final corner of the first lap, JoJo was chasing his teammate Quentin Tucker for the lead and by turn three of lap 2 JoJo took the lead for good. Tucker and Granatelli diced it out for the remainder of the race but in the end, it was Granatelli who won his 2nd straight #1 finish 2 days in a row.
“My SMD / Granatelli Motor Sports kart was near perfect but JoJo was just on fire this weekend, I tried every trick in the book to get around him but I just couldn’t get a clean pass. He earned this well fought win”, said Quentin Tucker. “Tucker has been the guy to beat all season long, his strong series points lead speaks for itself. I told my dad before we started my dream race would be Tucker and I in a battle for the lead and all my dreams came true tonight”, said JoJo in the winners circle. James Tucker, crew chief and father of Quentin could barely contain his joy. “I am so proud of our boys tonight, they real worked hard for this, Joey got 2 main event wins and my son left with 2 over all wins, what could be better?”
MMR – Mini Motorsports Racing
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Oxnard, CA – July 24, 2007. For over 65 years, Granatelli has been a name synonymous with race winning innovation. Granatelli’s race winning innovation includes over three hundred land speed records, the world’s fastest modular engined Mustang, the world’s fastest Camaro, several wins at the Indy 500 plus Turbine Indy car innovation.
Now, two 3rd generation Granatelli’s (Joey “JoJo” Granatelli and Vincenzo Granatelli) are continuing the racing tradition with CORR (Championship Off Road Racing) Trophy Karts. Recognizing the opportunity for tremendous exposure, several notable corporations are now proud sponsors including Comp Cams, FedEx (Vincenzo Major sponsor) Fleming Motorsports, Granatelli Motor Sports (Major Sponsor), Matco Tools, Optima Batteries, Redline Oil, and Rock Star Energy Drinks (Major Sponsor).
According to J.R. Granatelli (father and team manager for Jojo and Vincenzo), “we’re honored to be sponsored by major players in racing, lifestyle and food industries. Trophy Kart racing is an all-new venue ideal for young racers to get their feet wet in racing. Trophy Kart racing takes place at every CORR race and many are featured on NBC (see www.corracing.com for dates and times). JoJo and Vincenzo have a passion for racing that is really amazing to be a part of. They have a drive and determination for winning that’s almost electric and you can feel it while in their presence. And, they have a lot of charisma (a Granatelli staple). Of course, this is only the beginning. Someday, they might pursue Indy car or Formula 1. Whatever they decide, I couldn’t be prouder of them wanting to continue the Granatelli racing legacy.”
For more details, event schedules, photos, video and more, check out their all new web sites at www.JoJoGranatelli.com and www.VincenzoGranatelli.com. For sponsorship opportunities or interviews, please contact J.R. Granatelli at 805-486-6644, Ext. 11 or 13 or JRGranatelli@GranatelliMotorSports.com, Granatelli Motor Sports, Inc., 1000 Yarnell Place, Oxnard, CA 93033