At the conclusion of the 2020 season, the three critical actors that comprised JJR all had significant questions.
Dietz needed to be clear on Bobbi Johnson‘s plans for the next year. Gravel needed to be sure to land at a team capable of winning, while still trying to make things happen in the world of NASCAR. For her part, Bobbi needed to conduct a personal inventory of all that was ongoing in her life and what was reasonable for her to take on.
“I just didn‘t know if I could juggle it anymore,” she says. “That‘s why at the first of the year I told David (Gravel) that I didn‘t know what I was doing, plus he had other deals that he was talking about doing on the asphalt side. So, I was like, man, maybe this is good for both of us. Maybe it is time for me to walk and be done with it and start a new chapter of life. I didn‘t really know what I was going to do at that point.
“I got to talking to Phil and Brooke (Dietz) about different things and I saw how much Phil enjoyed the 14 team. I also saw how much Brooke took initiative in that deal. She has a marketing degree and really stepped it up and made it look so professional on that side. So we talked, and it was like maybe we can become a family deal and not have all of this laying on me.
“I feel that this last year Phil really had to step up. Jaxx started school in August. When he gets home we have homework to do, and things to do to keep him on that same track. I don‘t want to let him down. With that being said, I talked to Phil and Brooke and said ‘What about doing this?‘ We talked and then they came back and asked if I was serious. And so…we came to an agreement.”
For Dietz it was another step towards his ultimate goal.
“I knew there was going to be a day when Bobbi wanted to scale back,” he said, “and I didn‘t know if she wanted the team to continue even if she wasn‘t the owner or if she just wanted to be out of it completely. The (No.) 14 car was a way for me and my wife to have a fallback plan in case things didn‘t work out. That is how that whole team came about, and how Bobbi and I came to an agreement earlier in the season.
“Basically, I would buy JJR from her and keep the same structure, but kind of scale back on the 14 car. We are very proud of what we did (in 2020) with the 14 car, to pick up a World of Outlaw win was really special for us. But it is important for us to shift our focus now to the 41. If an opportunity ever comes about to run some races with the 14 down the road, and we can put the right pieces in place, we would like to do something there too. It has been a dream of mine to have my own team, and to be a mechanic and crew chief on the World of Outlaws circuit is really special to me.
“To carry the JJR name and legacy that Jason built 10 years ago is really cool. It is cool to keep this going and keep all of our families involved. We have a really good relationship with the vendors who make up our team, and none of that is going to change moving forward. It makes it easier to sell the image and the history that makes up the JJR team than it is to sell Dietz Motorsports to someone.”
As for Gravel, Bobbi says there were amiable conversations that led to the decision to part.
“We just didn‘t fit anymore,” she said. “I know a lot of people are down on us, and doubting us, but it was a mutual agreement between David and I sitting in the kitchen.”
Adding his perspective, Dietz noted, “I feel like JJR‘s goals and his long term goals were not aligned. I don‘t think he has any truck races for 2021, but I do know that it is his dream and his goal to land some races next season. If that opportunity comes, he would jump at that and I don‘t blame him. That has been his dream since he was a kid.
“I hope the best for him. We want to win a lot of races and win a championship. I feel like we came really close (in 2020) and to be as close as we were with multiple drivers just goes to show we have what it takes. I think having one driver for the whole season is going to help.”
The beneficiary was Macedo, who ended the 2020 season strong. When Kyle Larson decided to mothball his World of Outlaws team for the time being, Macedo was in search of a ride.
“Kyle did the right thing, in my opinion, by letting everyone know in advance,” Macedo said. “And it gave us time to get something together for 2021.”
Macedo also knows he has big shoes to fill.
“David did a really good job at JJR,” Macedo admitted. “He is an incredible driver, and I think he will do a really good job in the 2M car for Tod Quiring, Cody Jacobs, and that group. This all depended on David. He made a move to the 2M and that opened up a seat for me. My goal is to win the World of Outlaws championship. It‘s a goal I share with JJR.”
Bobbi Johnson can take a breath now. She will still be handling merchandise and will still be very much involved with the team. She also plans on being on the road with the squad when she can. But she needs a break.
It gets quiet in the Ozarks as the summer turns to winter. Sometimes it’s dead quiet.
There is a lot to think about at those times and a lot to process. Sometimes it’s too much.
There have been many miles traveled from the time she strayed from Thomasville, Pa., and settled in Rocky Mount, Mo.
When an exhausted Bobbi tucks Jaxx in, he looks up at a painting of Bryan Clauson, Greg Hodnett, and his late father. It was a gift from racing patron Richard Marshall.
Jaxx has questions but, as always, Bobbi keeps it light. In her world, there are always things to be thankful for. There is always a new day.
She has spent many hectic months tending to the needs of others and she began to realize she needed a bit of comfort too.
“After a while you need another person to talk to,” she admitted. “You can get lonely.”
Bobbi has been dating Steve Beach, who has been associated with Lake Ozark Speedway, and happily reported things are going well.
“He treats Jaxx like his child,” she said of Beach. “And Jaxx has warmed up to him over time. It‘s just a good deal. I feel he gives us balance. Jason‘s folks have really adapted and like him, and I feel he helps them out too.”
The world has rested on Bobbi Johnson‘s back long enough. Let‘s hope nothing but good days lie ahead. She‘s earned that, and a lot more.