April 14, 2021 – Holly, Michigan – When the Must See Racing Maxima Racing Oils Midwest Lights Series kicks off its season Saturday night, the competition will be gunning for defending champion JJ Henes.

The series kicks off its 2021 season at Lorain Raceway Park in South Amherst, Ohio Saturday night. The 17-year-old third generation driver will have his sights on defending his title. But even Henes knows he will have his work cut out for him. Henes, who calls LaGrange, Ohio home, narrowly won the title last year. It came down to the final race and Henes claimed the title by a mere 2 points over Dylan Watson.

The teenager has a busy season in store for him. In addition to the Must See Racing Maxima Racing Oils Midwest Lights Series, Henes plans to race select MSR 410 and Midwest Supermodified Series events. To say he will be busy is an understatement.

“We’ll be running the Crate car full-time, hit a few 410 shows, and run the Super a little bit” states Henes. Asked if there is a notable difference between the three cars Henes explains. “The Crate and 410 are similar but the 410 is a little faster. The Super is completely different. With the Crate car if you get a little loose its fine and you just drive out of it. You definitely don’t wanna get loose with the Super”.

When asked what it feels like to be the defending champion of a recognizable touring series, Henes shared his thoughts. ”It feels pretty good, especially going into a new season. Being the champion last year should surely propel us the first race or so”.

Henes also explained winning last years championship was a big deal to him and his team. The chase was so tight that his father Jon was calculating and updating the points chase as the night went along. ”I was behind Dylan (Watson) going into the final night. I remember I finished second in the feature. We were on the front straight and my Dad did the math, but he did it wrong. He said we lost by 2 points. Afterwards someone came and said we actually won. That was a pretty good feeling. I’d definitely say this has been the highlight of my career so far”.

The defending champion will face a stout line-up this weekend that includes a handful of drivers from the MSR 410 series that includes Charlie Shultz and Jacob Dolinar among many others.

April 12, 2021 – Holly, Michigan – The Maxima Racing Oil Must See Racing Lights Series is one week away from kicking off its 2021 season. The action begins for the second year series on Saturday April 17 at Lorain Raceway Park in South Amherst, Ohio.

Defending series champion JJ Henes will attempt to defend his throne. The Lagrange, Ohio teenager won the 2020 championship on the final night of the season. A tight point battle with Dylan Watson went right down to the wire. Henes won by a mere two points to claim the 2020 championship and collected one feature victory in the process.

The series, powered by 602 GM sealed crate motors, was created to give younger drivers seat time in a winged asphalt sprint car and give the MSR 410 series a feeder system of top-notch young talent. The series has done just that as a handful of drivers from this series will make their 410 debuts in 2021.

This year’s roster of drivers will be a mixture of youth and veterans. Former Supermodified veteran and current MSR 410 competitor Charlie Shultz is expected to compete in 2021 as well as Jacob Dolinar who also competes in the 410 series.

Other drivers expected to compete include Joshua Sexton, James Rader, Joey Wyckoff, Dylan Watson, Justin Stanley, John Reiser, Tim Henthorn, Jason Rader and 17-year-old lady racer Lauren DePasquale.

It is only fitting that the season opener will be hosted by Lorain Raceway Park as many drivers in the series call LRP home. LRP will also host the series in June, August and for the series championship in October. Henes and Wyckoff each found victory lane at LRP in 2020 Maxima Racing Oil Must See Racing Lights Series.