RPW Exclusive: Monadnock Was A Special Win For Jake Johnson & His Local Favorite Modified

Column By: STEPHEN DURHAM / RPW – WINCHESTER NH – It was a special weekend for Jake Johnson, the Massachusetts native, capturing his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at Monadnock Speedway.
This win is particularly special for Johnson, as it was a win for the ‘Ole Blue’ number 3 modified, a car he has been a huge fan of since he was a kid.
“It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it slowly is. There are so many people that are a part of that team, they all deserve it” Johnson explains “I’m just happy for them to get them that win, it’s special for them.”
Boehler Racing Enterprises brought Johnson on full time this year, the first time since 2020. This win was the first time for ‘Ole Blue’ since 2017 by Rowan Pennink at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. For Johnson, it has meant a lot to him to pilot ‘Ole Blue’, as legendary tour drivers like Ryan Preece, Tony Hirschman, and Bugs Stevens have all driven the famed blue number 3 modified.
“Looking back at the history of the blue number 3, the list of drivers who have piloted that modified is phenomenal,” Johnson explains, “it’s something as a kid, I was always rooting for this car, it was the local car for me, and it’s pretty wild, now I’m driving the 3 and I won in it, and it’s pretty awesome to now say I’ve won with this team.”
Johnson still thinks he has a lot to learn though, despite winning with the famous team.
“It’s definitely awesome to have my name next to the other legendary names that have driven the blue number 3, but it doesn’t mean I’m equal to them by any means,” a humble Johnson says “but it’s just really cool and an honor to have said I’ve raced and won for this team.”
Jake Johnson, who is now 21 years old and now in college, has been racing for over 10 years, first starting in go-karts in Connecticut, then eventually moving to legends cars at 12 years old in 2015, at his hometrack at Seekonk in Massachusetts.
Since then, Johnson has raced multiple divisions there, including the American Canadian Tour late models. One of Johnson’s most recent big wins was the Snowflake 100, where he became the first New Englander to win the crown jewel event for Pro Late Models. Johnson says this win with ‘Ole Blue’ ranks right up there with that win.
“The Snowflake 100 win, that was pretty incredible, my family car and everything, that was a really special win,” Johnson says “but this win with the blue 3 modified, on the tour, is probably the most special out of all of them.”
The reason why this win is likely Johnson’s favorite? It roots back to him growing up watching it.
“It’s always been the car I was rooting for growing up, it was the same for my family,” Johnson said. “The number 3 modified, that’s the local tour car, that’s the pinnacle of racing in our area, and to win it and with that group of guys and the bond we have created with the whole team, has made it the most special.”
As every driver does, whether young or old, they have grown up looking up to previous drivers, and Johnson has looked up to two of them specifically over the years.
“There’s always been two drivers I’ve always idolized and thought highly of when it came to racing, on the late model side of things, it was Eddie MacDonald,” Johnson says “and on the modified side of things, it was always Ron Silk, which is ironic, being that we were side by side there at the end of the race.”
Idolizing and looking up to the defending Whelen Modified Tour champion, it made the win last Saturday at Monadnock that more special, battling it out with Silk.
“I’ve raced against Ronnie quite a few times now, and normally he’s the one that ends up finishing in front of me,” Johnson explains “it was pretty cool to see afterwards and see all the names in the field, like Silk, Bonsignore, and Hirschman, I had to fight great names to get this win.”
The schedule remains busy in the month ahead for the NASCAR Modified Tour, with visits to Riverhead, Johnson’s hometrack of Seekonk, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming schedule. Loudon is a blast, but especially Seekonk,” Johnson says “that’s my hometrack, and going back there, I always love going back there.”
At the beginning of the season, Johnson said the expectation was to get a win with the ‘Ole Blue’ 3 modified, and he now just wants to be out front competing consistently.
“It’s special to get this win with the team, now we want to continue with consistent strong finishes each race,” Johnson says “if we can go out and get those finishes, it will be special to compete for a top spot in the championship points.”
Jake says he is so thankful for the entire 3 team and everyone apart from Boehler Racing Enterprises and everyone that helps get the team to the track.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Riverhead Raceway on May 18th, Seekonk Speedway June 1st, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway as part of a NASCAR weekend on June 22nd.