JASON KELLER

The date was April 27, 1991; Jason Keller and his family owned racing team had made the short drive from Greenville, SC to Lanier, GA for his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race. Keller had achieved success in smaller series around the Southeast, but this was the big time. Hoping to just make the show and be recognized by a few folks in the sport, Keller didn’t get his hopes up too high. For all he knew, this could be his only Nationwide Series race he would ever attempt. In a race with stars like Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte, Keller qualified eighth before an accident ended his day. For his efforts, Keller collected a check in the amount of $575.

Fortunately for Keller, Lanier GA was just the start of what has proven to be an amazing NASCAR Nationwide Series career. Teaming up with CJM Racing in 2007, Keller has made 408 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts, ninth in Career Top-fives (81), fourth in Career Top-10s (159) and is the All-Time Leading money winner with over $11 million in career earnings.

Keller started racing go-karts at the age of 10 and was soon crowned World Karting Association’s Junior Modified Champion. Soon after, Keller raced in NASCAR’s Winston All-American Challenge, where he earned rookie of the year honors in 1990. The following year he joined the NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Series, where he tallied four wins and led the number of laps led during his first season.

The progression to the NASCAR Nationwide Series was a gradual but inevitable one. After his first NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Lanier Speedway, Keller was hooked and would run a limited schedule when funds permitted. In 1994, Keller and Kel Racing (which was owned by Keller and his father) would run a full Nationwide Series schedule. In his first full year, Keller scored the pole at Orange County Speedway, Myrtle Beach Speedway and Richmond International Speedway.

The following year Jason Keller and Kel Racing visited victory lane for the very first time when they won the Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The team finished fourth in the overall driver point standings. The family owned team continued to have mild success in the following years but in 1998 the team closed their doors and sold all their contents to Greg Pollex.

From 1998 to 2004, Keller raced at ppc Racing with team owner Greg Pollex. The chemistry between team and driver was undeniable. Together the team garnered nine wins, seven poles, 67 top-five and 112 top-10 finishes. Jason Keller and ppc Racing ended in the top-10 driver point standings six out of the seven years they raced together.

Unfortunately a lack in sponsorship would cause the team to part ways in 2005 and Keller joined Team Rensi Motorsports. While at Rensi, Keller and the McDonalds team tallied one top-five and six top-10 finishes and placed ninth in the overall driver point standings.

In 2007, Keller was approached with an opportunity to join forces with CJM Racing. The newly reorganized team brought about some old faces as Keller was reunited with his former co-workers from the ppc Racing days. Keller found himself in familiar territory with crew chief Todd Gordon calling the shots and Steve “Big Guy” Helwig serving as car chief. The limited schedule of 15 races produced four top-10 finishes and has provided a strong foundation moving into the 2008 Nationwide Series season.

This season, CJM Racing proudly announced a new partnership with America’s Incredible Pizza Company. With sponsorship secured, Keller and the CJM Racing organization are looking forward to competing in the full 2008 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule and securing a top spot in the points battle.