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- JGR NEWS -
November 27, 2023 - Neises to Return to Track
Dateline: Elkhart Lake, WI
Rob Neises had to be helped from the car post race. His shoulder was stabbing with pain. He was treated and released in the Infield care Center after piloting his Burger King Chevy Camaro to a Top 20 and a Top 10 respectively in the Barebones and Barebones Challenger race. Incredibly, he finished 23 of 28 laps, the last half of the race under severe pain.
"I don't know what came over me, I was there, my Team was there, so I ran the race," Neises told the media in the post-race presser. I won't be back for a week or so, if then. Goal is to run in both the RTG and NNSCRA Christmas races.
Neises was taken to the JGR Special along with PR Director Simone in the Team's golf cart, and entered the Special on his owns two legs. The Special is scheduled to return to Kansas in the morning.
November 27, 2023 - Neises to Return to RTG at least to Practice
Dateline: Elkhart Lake, WI
Rob Neises will be in attendance tonight for RTG's Barebones series at Road America. Its not certain whether he will turn a few laps in practice or not, though the JGR Special has made the trip with the Burger King Chevy Camaros aboard. Its not believed if he does run tonight, if he'll run any time again this week at RTG.
Neises was involved in what many around him considered a near-life threatening crash back in Kansas on October 4th. He fell asleep at the wheel, rolling and flipping his Oldsmobile. He spent most of the month of October, and a chunk of early November after suffering a post-accident heart attack in the hospital.
That's why he doubts he'll actually race tonight. If he does, he believes he'll need time to recover, as he hasn't got his full stamina built back up, and Road America is a road course, always a challenge since he has lost his right leg four years ago.
August 12, 2023 - Neises to Celebrate 20 Years of RTG and N2k3 at Week-long Birthday Bash
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
After Saturday nights BSR SS fun run on the high-banks of Daytona, Rob Neises and crew climbed aboard the OP/JGR Special. Their destination, Detroit, Michigan and RTR Motor Speedway. That's where the RTG Birthday Bash Week kicks off Monday. After the Pit Challenge, the Team will hop a Charter Jet for Martymo, Misouri. There, Monday ends with a race at Martymoville Speedway.
Tuesday is a total logistic nightmare. It starts with a race during the day at Pocono. At its conclusion, the Team will hop back on its Charter and fly to Bermuda for a race at the Bermuda Triangle Superspeedway. At the finish of the race in Bermuda, the Team will fly to Watkins Glen Road Course and go points racing in BSR Truck action Wednesday.
The bash goes on Wednesday, where they will run on the Dirt and Paved tracks at Raleigh. Neises and the OR/JGR Team will skip that day for the points.
Thursday, the Team will hop the Charter in New York and fly to Bentonville, Arkansas, where the Team retyurns to the Birthday Bash Celebration at Burnt Screwdriver Raceway (BSR). The Party goes on Friday, with Late Model racing at South Boston.
No word if the Team will run at South Boston, or return to Watkins Glen to go Xfinity points racing at BSR.
July 12, 2023 - Neises Wins Race for Second Consecutive Season
Dateline: Kansas City, KS
The Infield is Rockin' at Kansas Speedway tonight! The reason for the all-out raucous...Rob Neises finally got a win at Kansas Speedway. Feeling he had nothing to loose, Rob Neises piloted his number 54 Oakland A;'s Major league Baseball Team Olds Cutlass around the 1.5 mile Tri-Oval, crossing the Finish Line First in RTG Aero88 Challenger Series action.
With Family and Friends looking on from his Pit, Hauler, The OR/JGR Special and Section 111, the Un-Official Rob Neises Section at Kansas Speedway. And all with pit access didn't wait for Rob to finish post-race activities before breaking out the kegs and bottles.
After nearly drowning out the pa announcer, and Rob being presented with the Winner's Trophy, Neises invited all to a party at the "Special", parked on the Speedway grounds. There, Neises had the Team cook fire up the grills and cooked burgers and dogs for the party-hardy group assembled.
As of the time of this publishing of this story, Neises had to move the party about 35 yards East of the "Special", so the crew could prepare to leave within the hour for the Tally Challenge race at Talladega tomorrow. Even getting the party moved for a second time, and the shutting down of the grills, the party was still going full-steam, just without Rob Neises and his crew and support staff. When asked for the plan, Neises said, "We'll just have to stop along the way to replenish our supplies, can't sit here waiting for a resupply from Wichita."
June 20, 2023 - A Happy Rob Neises takes Pole and Just Misses Top 10 at Burnt Screwdrivers Raceway!
Dateline: Bentonville, AR
Rob Neises and Crew met the OR/JGR Special last night in Bentonville. Arkansas. A short hop by plane from last nights finishes at Texas Motor Speedway, in the Denton County, Texas area. Pre-race, Neises and the crew of the number 54 US NAVY Toyota Tundra seemed very loose. Laughing and joking around before Qualitying for the start to Playoffs in the RTG Tally Challenge.
The Team was rewarded for their efforts with the Pole, Neises' first since 2011. Neises led the field the first three laps of the race before deciding to just ride. Unfortunately, Pitting was the bane of Rob's existence tonight, getting an EOLL Penalty during each pit cycle.
With approximately 10 to go, the final restart saw Rob back in 24th place after another pit road speeding penalty. But following the flow the best and safest he could, Neises took the Checkers in 11th Place, tenths of seconds out of 10th. The 11th Place finish was Neises' first Top 20 finish in eight races in Season 59 of RTG's Tally Challenge Series.
Neises is taking the rest of the week off for a Train Show put on by Spring Creek Model Railroad in Deschler, Nebraska. While the load / unload crew stayed behind and loaded the Tundra, the rest of the Crew, the PR Department and Neises himself flew back to Garden Plain, where Neises is expected shortly after landing to head North to the Train Show. The Crew will prepare two Pinty cars for another Canadian Make-up Doubleheader Sunday.
Plan is for the Team to get the cars for Sunday on the Canadian Special by Friday Evening. Once it crosses the border, the Train will be split for the destinations, Autodrone St Felicien and St Euastache. The Crew and Neises will fly to both tracks late Saturday Night. Clearing Canadian Customs with plenty of time to get ready for the races. A skeleton crew will make sure the car for the second race is ready while Neises and the others run the Opener at Autodrone St Felicien.
July 07, 2023 - An Angry Rob Neises Skips Post-Race Press Conference
Dateline: College Station, TX
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June 05, 2023 - Neises Finally Spills the Beans
Dateline: St Louis, MO
Rob Neises was a guest on the end of week podcast today. A podcast produced by his own JGR Productions, and hosted by his PR Director, Simone. In his segment he talked a little about his disappointment with the season so far, and he offered a long-term solution. Effective June 1st, JGR is once again a Dodge Motorsports Race Team.
That was what was being housed in the "Skunkworks" Building back at the Shops near Garden Plain, Kansas. JGR Wednesdays and Thursdays, plus Fridays, JGR will now pilot various Dodges in BSR Truck, Cup, and Xfinity Series Action. "Currently, the Crew at the Shops in GP is converting the former Chevy producing lines into Dodge lines." Neises said.
Neises did not say if this was the only car make change in store for OR/JGR and JGR Race Teams. But he admitted as one of the first Teams to recommit to Dodge, he knows there could be some growing pains. He did say a full compliment of Dodge fabricators and Engineers would be working with JGR to get them on par with the other Teams.
Most of the sponsors are known to JGR, on Wednesdays, Jones Soda Co. moves over to the Dodge Ram Truck program. On Thursdays and Saturdays, Dodge Dealers returns to JGR on the Dodge Chargers, and Fridays, the NMRA.org move over to the Dodge Challengers. The car number remains 54, and all personnel will remain the same through the 2023 Campaign.
June 03, 2023 - Rain Postpones Season Finale'
Dateline: Talladega, AL
Tonight was the Season 14 scheduled finale in BSR SS Series Racing. Rob Neises and the James Gang racing Team sat at the rail siding aboard the JGR Special, watching it rain practically all day. It was early this evening that Neises got the word that the race would be a rain out.
No dates have been set for any of the three races rained out this season. Word from the league is that they will come out with a make-up schedule, and plan accordingly based on the weather forecasts.
Neises and a limited crew left after the cancellation notice was delivered to the Teams. Neises said before leaving that with the help of Canada's VIA Rail, the "Canadian Special" was split yesterday. The Crew part of the Special, along with a Transport Hauler was left in Geary, New Brunswick, Canada, near Speedway 660, VIA Rail took the remainder of the Special to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, by Riverside. Plans are to run two races tomorrow in Canada to make up for an earlier rain out. Neises and Crew flew to Geary once notified about the BSR rainout. The Charter LearJet will stay in Geary, and at the completion of the race there, will fly Neises and Crew to the race at Riverside, then afterwards, back to America. St Louis, Missouri, where Neises and Crew will meet the "OR/JGR Special", where Monday the Barebones Series will run at World Wide Technology Raceway.
May 29, 2023 - Neises and 54 Team Enjoy Holiday Off.
Dateline: Garden Plain, KS
Rob Neises was seen raising the flag this morning at race HQ in Garden Plain, Kansas. A lone reporter asked Neises if he had a few. A relaxed Rob Neises invited the intrepid local reporter from Channel 10, KAKE TV, Wichita into the shops, where he offered donuts and coffee as they sat down in his office.
The reporter seemed surprised to find Neises at the shops raising the flag. "It's my duty in remembrance of all that gave all, Neises said. The reporter responded he was just out for some B roll footage, expecting Neises and the Team to be chilling in New York, getting ready for tomorrows RTR Superspeedway race there. Neises said the Team arrived late last night by charter airplane at Eisenhower National Airport. "We travel as a family aboard the JGR Special, so that when we have a Holiday, I do what I can to get everyone home with their families!" We'll return to New York early this evening, again by private charter.
Neises then stood up and offered a tour of the shops. As they rode, the reporter seemed surprised how big the complex was. He didn't ask many questions until they came upon a new building. Neises admitted Simone wouldn't approve, but he was gonna give him access to their "Skunkworks". The only ask was no pictures of the inside of the building be published till after June 4th. The reporter asked why the 4th? Neises said by then everything currently in the building would be public knowledge. With his agreement, Neises hit the doors, and entered OR/JGR's "Skunkworks". Unfortunately, the contents will not be exposed, at least not today, in this article, according to Neises. After touring everything, and receiving some Team swag from Neises, the reporter jumped in his car and headed East to Wichita.
May 19, 2023 - Outlaw Racing with JGR Ships Team to Bermuda.
Dateline: Port Everglades, FL
Outlaw Racing with James Gang Racing loaded the equivalent of nearly four 53' shipping containers on a specially prepared cargo ship, destination, St. George, Bermuda. The 54 Team, and the 84 Team each loaded the nearly four containers for next Tuesdays RTG Superspeedway race at the Bermuda Triangle Superspeedway.
Plans are, after the race, to move both haulers, rigs, cars, extra parts, tools and equipment to a secured warehouse to be stored for the second race there, later in Season 59. Executive Security of Kansas will be providing the security for both Teams and the warehouse.
In other news, Rob Neises will skip tomorrow nights BSR race at Talladega. Rob and some guests are planning on attending the Wichita Windsurge Double A Minor League Baseball game at Wichita's Riverfront Stadium. Rob will use his dropped race at seasons end to replace the race.
Also, in a followup to the Body Armor Associate Sponsorship news, the Sponsorship begins June 4th across the OR/JGR and JGR Teams.
May 13, 2023 - Neises Takes 5th in Xfinity Race, Then has Sponsorship Announcement
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
The JGR Special arrived at its trackage in Sanford, Florida about 4:30 am eastern this morning. There were already Motorsports Media waiting for him in the station waiting area. The PR Department rounded up the media and escorted them to the "Special". They were taken to the Press Car where they were greeted with a full breakfast, compliments of the Chefs from the Special.
The PR Department, Crew Members and even Driver Rob Neises were all in attendance, giving the assembled media the opportunity to get some "Off-the-Record" comments. It was determined that the Team has not heard from RTG about its missing points yet.
About 9am eastern a few more people entered the car, they were wearing Coca-Cola and Body Armor swag. After their arrival, they were seated at the head table with Simone, the PR Director and Rob Neises, Owner/Driver at JGR. As the room came to order, Simone introduced the newest attendees and identified them as being with Coca-Cola Corporate in Atlanta. After a presentation on the over 20+ years of sponsorship of JGR and Rob Neises, the last frame flashed the flavor array of their Body Armor line of Sports Drinks. With that, five lovely ladies in Body Armor bodysuits came out and presented the media members with a basket containing a six-pack of Body Armor and a press release announcing Body Armor Sports Drink as a new Associate Sponsor on Rob's JGR and OR/JGR rides. The ladies left momentarily after handing out the baskets, only to return with polo shirts and hats for the head table.
After slipping on his shirt and swapping his JGR hat for his new Body Armor hat, Rob Neises stood up, thanked and shook hands with the Body Armor / Coke reps, then he addressed the media and crew. He thanked them for coming on board and said hopefully his next win will be with a car with Body Armor and Coca-Cola on it.
May 12, 2023 - Neises Forced to Put Jet on Standby, and Uses It!
Dateline: Bentonville, AR/Darlington, SC
Rob Neises was knocked out of "Knock-Out Qualifying" last night. When he seen the full entry list, and knowing he was out of the Top 25 by 2 points, Neises made the call to Wichita, and pilot Michael Pullum brought the Company Learjet down to Bentonville, just in case. Unfortunately, Rob had a terrible qualifying run, and he was supposed to be awarded last-place points. Which he has yet to receive, calls have already been made by Neises.
With not any time to spare, Neises and the car crew, a;omg with PR Director Simone all headed to Darlington via Learjet. He got there and was able to qualify. Unfortunately his luck wasn't great at the "Lady in Black". He had a brake failure and missed his pit. Since he was alone on pitroad, he put his Del Monte Foods Chevy SS in reverse and backed down pitroad to his stall. He was met by an Official, informing him that "stunt" was getting him parked for the rest of the night. Neises finished 19th.
Later that night, he pulled out a ninth place finish at Brewerton in the Dirt Late Models class.
After the dirt race, Neises and crew all flew back to Darlington where they slept on the "JGR Special".
Neises will be in action again tonight at Darlington in the Xfinity race.
May 9, 2023 - OR/JGR and JGR Ammounce Special Schemes This Week
Dateline: College Station, TX
Director of PR, Simone held a press briefing from the "OR/JGR Special" after the race today, where Rob finished 16th in the WSU Shockers Camry. Simone held it in the newly refinished Digital TV Studio on board the "Special." In her briefing, she announced that both OR/JGR and JGR would be running special schemes in honor of his middle daughter Kaitlyn, and her birthday. The special schemes will run Saturday thru Wednesday of the week of May 13th thru 17th. Again the car will be a duplicate of the die-cast her father, Rob designed for her at birth. The big diff is her face adorning the hood, and on some, the rear quarters. No special die-cast will be sold as is the policy on Rob's children's birthday cars.
In a taped statement, Rob Neises thanked the children's Mother for raising such great kids, and then wished (her) Angela, and all the Mothers a Happy Mother's Day this Sunday. That was Neises' only appearance in the nearly 30 minute broadcast.
April 29, 2023 - End of Season Report
Dateline: Daytona Beach, FL
The Official end of Season 58 is here. Rob Neises sat in on a press meeting as the "JGR Special" headed North from Daytona toward Canada. Tomorrow, April 30th kicks off Season 59 for the Outlaw Racing with JGR and JGR Driver. Obviously, Season Five continues over at BSR, where Saturday Night, in the SS Series, Neises piloted his Ron Jon Surf Shop Chevy SS to a 4th place finish at the 2.5 mile Superspeedway. Prior to the race, PR Director Simone let the press corp know that three hours after race completion, the "Special" would be headed to Barrie, Canada for the kickoff to Season 59, and that Rob Neises would be making an appearance at a press briefing overnight.
Around Washington, DC, that press briefing began, with Rob sitting beside Simone for the event. He said he will be running all RTG Series in Season 59, including Superspeedway and Tally Challenge. Both of those, full-time. Along with a special "Canadian Special" Section of the OR/JGR Special that will supply the racing needs of Rob Neises on Sundays. All other Series; Barebones, Barebones Challenger, Aero 88 and Aero 88 Challenger will be primarily a part-time schedule. When asked, Neises reported that himself and a small crew pitting/preparing the # 54 Wonder Bread / MOPAR Dodge Challenger would fly in to a airport close to the weeks track, and fly out Sunday Night. Catching up with the OR/JGR Special at the Monday track. Sponsorship will be provided by new primary / global associate sponsor Burger King, and NAPA Auto Parts, Tuesday will be returning from the past Century, Wichita State University Shockers, his Alma-mater, and Ron Jon Surf Shop. Wednesday will be returning sponsor, Ron Jon Surf Shop and new to OR/JGR, the MLB's Oakland Athletics baseball team. They will be in Oldsmobile Cutlass', the rest of the OR/JGR effort will be in Toyota rides. Thursday, so far, is returning, Jones Soda Co. Neises admitted to still working with the US NAVY to split time with Jones.
The Team will travel by train from race to race in Season 59. Any significant down-time, the Team and Support Staff will be hustled back to the main shops in Wichita, Kansas via Chartered jet.
Neises and Simone seemed to be holding back something, no news on what, but reps from Dodge Motorsports were on the train to Canada.
January 27, 2023 - Let It Begin!
Dateline: North Wilkesboro, NC
Just two days since JGR Owner, and OR/JGR & JGR Driver Robby Neises was notified of his Suspension from RTG racing action for a week, and his removal from the Superspeedway Series for the remainder of Season 58. Neises' Public Relations Director, Simone hosted a sit-down with the gathered racing media at North Wilkesboro Speedway. She told them they might as well get used to seeing her more often, as Rob has passed on most, non-League-required press appearances to her. In answer to questions on her taking over most public press duties, She responded it was a proactive move by the Team. Rob has been known to let his mouth overload his .... Well you know the rest of the statement, she finished. Secondly, yes she will now be traveling with the Team aboard the "JGR Special". Someone from her staff will take care of many of her old duties from the Garden Plain Home Offices/Shops.
That is just the first of what is expected to be several changes in the upcoming year or so. The changes are mostly ones that have been in the works for awhile, their implementation has just been accelerated with Rob's suspension, his second from RTG in a little more than a year.
The biggest change, is Neises cutting ties with the past, while still paying homage to all 38 Championships and 406 wins from the same past. In RTG racing, Upon his return on Wednesday, the driver formally known as "Robby Neises" will now race under the moniker, "Rob "DaBandit" Neises". She continued that in BSR Racing, the name change is scheduled to take effect Season 5 in February. Out is "Robby", in is "Rob "DaBandit" Neises".
With those words, she excused herself, disappearing into the "Team Members Only" part of the "Special".
Other changes being made since earlier this week, includes the addition of a "Press Members" area to the "JGR Special", Section 1. It includes cars for Simone and staff's living quarters; a working car with full satellite and cellular communications. That car includes Broadcast Studios for Digital Media, TV, and Radio broadcasting, etc; a mobile studios car for working press to use; up to two living quarters cars for traveling / working press; a "working press/open" dining car, and a lounge car where Team press staff and Outside press can relax and co-exist. A total of seven (7) cars have been added to Section 1 of the JGR Special, with room for several "expansion" cars. Long range plans, for Neises' "Retirement Tour" is to have the "Press Members" portion be made into a separate consist, with its own Motive Power and Support Cars. Its replenishment will be handled by the same Ferry Section that refurbishes the Team Sections of the "Specials."
January 25, 2023 - The Cost May be a Vacation
Dateline: Loudon, NH
One day after celebrating his first win at RTG, and overall his first in two years, OR/JGR Driver, Robby Neises got the call all RTG drivers dread.
While on his way to Rockingham, North Carolina, it was RTG Owner / Diretor of Punishment, Bones. In the short conversation he was told he was being charged with Unsportsmanlike Conduct for an incident involving himself and SS Admin Rodney Sullins. The feeling at the Head Office is that the accidental get-together under caution was some sort of revenge action. Neises said, "He's my, or was my, car builder. Why would I have a beef with him?" Makes no sense. I tried to explain it was a product of over-hustling, and not having a right leg. Both drivers were able to continue.
Long story longer, Neises was parked a week from all RTG Racing activities. He is allowed to return on Wednesday the 1st of February. The true hammer fell when he was told Sullin's doesn't want him to race in the new series. So its basically a three month suspension from the Tuesday night series. He is allowed to return when Season 59 starts in April. If he chooses to.
It puts a crimp in his long term retirement plans. He was going to start scaling back to primarily Superspeedway racing, at least through the 2025 seasons, where he'd evaluate his full retirement strategy. "I'll have to see if I retire after 30 years, or if I make up time lost from Suspensions and injury time down," Neises told the media over the phone. "I'm not one to just give up, So he turned the JGR Special around and stopped at the "Magic Mile", Loudon, New Hampshire. There he plans on running tonight in BSR Truck racing action.
With the terrible news, JGR sent out a refurbishment train from Garden Plain to meet the Special in Indianapolis. The site for Thursday's BSR Cup race. The ferry train will pick up all the Tuesday racing equipment, vehicles that are too damaged, etc; and exchange them with replenishment rides and BSR Cup and Truck racing equipment.
Hopefully, the story ends there !
 January 23, 2023 - Neises gets Elusive First Win at RTG.
Dateline: Ellamore, WV
The lights stayed on all night on the JGR Special as it sat not too far from racing buddy Chuck McClure's West Virginia home, or as Neises likes to call far-Eastern Kansas. There was a big cause for Celebration. Robby Neises, in only the fourth race of RTG's Season 58, finally got his elusive "First RTG Victory", it came at MNTR Speedway. Neises, who also broke a two-year drought in the Win column last night was literally Howling at the Moon. The Victory came in the Barebones Challenger Series.
About the only intelligible statement at the party was, "Lets not wait two years before we do this again!" The US NAVY was the primary sponsor on the number 54, Toyota Camry, in the Nex Gen Mod.
Unfortunately two people, , besides Neises, could not enjoy the beer and Jack Daniels that was flowing in the pit / engineering car aboard the JGR Special. Those two are the morning crew of the "Special."
The crew is scheduled to leave the siding at Ellamore at 5am, heading back to Kitchen Creek, North Carolina for today's Super-Speedway Series race at Kitchen Creek Super-Speedway.
The win catapaulted Neises into a three-way tie atop the leaderboard in the Barebones Challenger Series, four weeks into a 14 week season.
The win is Neises' 406th in his 28 year career, that began at Darlington International in August of 1995.
January 1, 2023 - Happy New Years From JGR
Dateline: Talladega, AL
You won't find the SCKL's, "JGR Special" in the new yard West of Wichita, near Garden Plain, in Western Sedgwick County. It and Team Owner/Driver Rob Neises have again taken a small crew to Talladega to start the 2023 racing season there. This is the 3rd straight year running in the Hangover 200 by BSR.
Neises sat down with the media gathered at Talladega, and wished everyone a Happy New Year, and hoped they all had a Merry Christmas.
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