Nashville, TN - Since 2018, Mt. Clemens, Michigan native, Jimmy Tucker has raced a part-time schedule with the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance. With 18 starts in his career, Tucker has never run more than half a dozen races in one season. Between driving his The Pleasure Zone No.22, Tucker works on other teams as a Crew Chief, Spotter, or Driver Development coach. Last season, Tucker spent time with drivers like Barrett Polhemus and Billy VanMeter. This season, getting his race car to victory lane and chasing a JEGS Tour Championship just became priority No.1.
A mastermind for race craft, Tucker understands the sport well and has been involved for several seasons, from racing street stocks and modifieds, to becoming involved with VanDoorn Racing Development, Tucker’s roots in asphalt racing run deep. However, his stats in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour remain something that, frankly, irritates Tucker when the conversation comes up. In his 18 starts, Tucker has posted a top 10 finish eight times and has cracked the top five twice; but a win continues to evade him and his team. Tucker says it has a lot to do with seat time.
“That's kind of the commitment that we’re making this year,” explained Tucker. “I think this year is going to be the best opportunity that we’ve had to [win a race] in a long time. You have to get seat time and race against these guys more than 4 or 5 times a year.”
Tucker says 2024 was the perfect time to latch onto the JEGS Tour full-time. The schedule fits his other commitments outside of the car, the races are prestigious and high caliber, and the tracks are all within a couple hour's drive from home. A schedule that feels nearly tailor-made for Tucker.
“I think with how the races are [scheduled] this year, they’re going to be so regionalized,” Tucker said. “I think a lot of drivers around here have been asking for. It’s exciting to see what’s in store and it’s awesome to see what has become of the JEGS Tour.”
Tucker says in the end, fans who follow the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour in 2024 will be the real winners. Over a dozen drivers have voiced their commitment to race full-time this upcoming season, and Tucker says that’s going to ramp up the competition and drive to win.
“You’re going to see the most competitive season that you’ve seen in quite some time,” stated Tucker. “You saw it last year too with the number of people who showed up who could win the race.”
The Pleasure Zone sponsored No.22 Chevrolet and Jimmy Tucker feel like they have as good a chance as anyone to win races in 2024. Tucker’s time racing on Michigan’s finest short tracks plays right into the schedule for the JEGS Tour. Tucker believes he may have as much experience as anyone in the field.
“We showed speed at a lot of these tracks that we’re going to,” Tucker recalls. “I’m probably one of the few that have seen all of these tracks that we’re going to except, maybe, Berlin. I love Flat Rock and I’m hoping to break through there, or maybe Owosso. I love both of those places.”
Put simply, Tucker is ready to go this season. Big money, big races, and even bigger excitement - Tucker said, “It’s an exciting time to be a Pro Late Model racer.”
Tucker will join the field of other hungry drivers looking for a JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour win this season on Saturday, April 27th with the $5,000 to win Season Opener at Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI. Discounted advanced tickets are available at BerlinRaceway.com. Fans who can’t attend the event in person can catch the action LIVE on TrackTv.com and RacingAmerica.Tv.
For more information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance log onto CRA-Racing.com. Find CRA: Champion Racing Association on Facebook and follow @CRARacing on X.
Story - Zach Hiser
Photo - Koty Geyer
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