Lebanon Midway Speedway hard charger Donnie Jackson enters the 2019 season riding a high note from the end of 2018 season. With a new car to start 2018, it took some time to get things lined-up but the familiar brightly-colored No. 42J was clicking off top-fives while always being in contention to visit the winners circle wherever he raced at.

Jackson rode to a second-place finish in the Lebanon Midway Speedway Fall Series behind champion Sam Petty.

Normally ranked around the top 40 in the last couple of seasons, Jackson ranked 65th Nationally with 26 races under his wheels—a smaller amount than normal.

What some of the area officials would consider a sleeper in the chase for the championship, Jackson has a busy season planned as he will be fielding both an Out-Pace USRA B-Mod and Midwest Modified which will be driven by Trent Wynn at Midway.

"We just got off to a rough start last season and had some things go wrong, regrouped and then started to hit strides during the latter part of the season," Jackson said.

The owner of Donnie Jackson Construction, he is less than seven minutes from Midway. A chance to race close to home, get back home quickly and then get ready for Saturday night action.

"Its hard to not race there being so close to the shop. My wife Tammy is a great supporter and is always with me at the track and it is neat to be able to have my grand-daughter come to watch."

A family man, family time is important to Jackson and he always makes time for that despite a busy business schedule, racing schedule and has started a small sideline of help to put and make race bodies for several drivers while keeping up two race cars.

"We really love the new wrap that Randy Lebow at R&R Graphics did for us, I think he knocked it out of the park.

"My sponsors are outstanding," he added. "Eagle Machine in Buffalo provides a good solid power plant for us. R&R Graphics, Cornerstone Subs and Pizza in Lebanon, Joyce Jones Accounting and Tax Service, Whitman Trucking and East 32 Highway Meat Processing and, of course, my wife and family with Donnie Jackson Construction. With that many local sponsors, you want to race at home to show support.

"Jack Jones and the track prep at Midway has really been great the last couple of seasons and during our practice last Tuesday evening I think the new dirt placed on the track will really make it better."

The Lebanon Midway Speedway will begin the chase for the championship this Friday, April 5, with Out-Pace USRA B-Mods plus Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Pure Stocks, Hornets and the new Kidz Cruiser class.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and driver's cut-off at 7:30. Racing gets underway at 8 p.m.

Adult pit passes are only $30 with adult grandstand admission $12 with discounts for military and seniors.

For more information visit the track's Facebook page or official website at MidwaySpeedway.net.