Kevin O'Connell Receives 1st Annual David M. Jackson Racer's Achievement Award


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 30, 2014) -  The Jackson racing family representing three generations of stock car racing on the west coast announced today that the 1st annual David M. Jackson Racer's Achievement Award has been awarded to American NASCAR and sports car road course driver Kevin O'Connell. 

The David M. Jackson Racer's Achievement Award is given annually and bestowed when merited to honor members of the racing community who have made distinguished achievements in racing and competition, contributions in leadership, the advancement of charitable causes or innovation in the general business of motor racing. 

David M. Jackson stated, "In 2014, Kevin was nominated and selected for the award for the following achievements:

  • Only NASCAR driver in a top national series (Nationwide Series) to earn an advanced degree -- Master's Degree in Business (MBA) -- Pepperdine University 1999
  • The 1st American to enter and compete in NASCAR Europe in a road race -- 2013 in the American SpeedFest at Brands Hatch, England.
  • Family heritage of racing dating back to the 1960's with father Gus - Kevin has been a team owner & driver in both NASCAR and IMSA.
  • Active in the promotion of charitable causes: Shania Kids Can
  • 1st in the 2014 Toyota Southwest Superlates Series Winter Classic
  • 2nd in championship points 2014 IMSA Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Pro-Am Series with Rick Ware Racing with 2 wins and 7 podiums.
  • 3rd in 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series in the Gardner Denver 200 at Road America with Rick Ware Racing -- named Mobil 1 Driver of the Race.

Kevin O'Connell commented, "I have known about the Jacksons since the late 1990's and witnessed them dominate the west coast stock car racing scene in California. It's an honor to receive this recognition from the Jackson family and I appreciate their endorsement." 

This award entitles the recipient to a seat on the 2015 nominating committee for the 2015 David M. Jackson Racer's Achievement Award as well as an entry and fully sponsored race in the 2015 Toyota Southwest Superlates Winter Classic. 

About David M. Jackson: In 1972, Jackson Race Cars was founded in Southern California by David M. Jackson. After receiving a degree in engineering from the University of Nevada, David discovered his passion for stock car racing as a driver and team owner, chassis builder, innovator and racing series founder. As an innovator, David was an early adopter of modern stock car concepts. In the late 1970's, he was the first car builder to construct a fiberglass body for oval track cars. David has had many notable racers drive for his teams throughout their careers including Rick Hendrick, Jimmy Insolo, Ron Esau and Jim Robinson in the 1980's, Ron Hornaday, Ernie Irvan, Kenny Schrader, Jim Thirkettle and Greg Pursley in the 1990's, Kurt & Kyle Busch, Rip Michels and Nick Joanides in the 2000's and three generations of the Gilliland racing family with Butch, David and Todd.

About Kevin O'Connell: Kevin O'Connell is an American road course racing driver featured by O'Connell Racing (OCR) that competes directly in NASCAR throughout North America and Europe, in IMSA -- the sanctioning body of the Tudor United Sports Car Championship in the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Racing Series and in SVRA & VARA in various vintage racing events. 

Contact Information:

FOR Kevin O'Connell (OConnellRacing.com)
Digney & Company
Jerry Digney
Tel 323.993.3000

FOR David M. Jackson
Company Contact:
Matt Jackson
Tel 661.305.7391