Jordan in the lead on the road rally for the OPTIMA Qualifier at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana | This past year certainly has had its moments to talk about around the water cooler, what with the craziest election in American History to date taking place. But more interesting than that would certainly be the story of AIRAID team driver Jordan Priestley and how he raced not one but 2 cars at OPTIMA’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car series season opener at Thunderhill Motorsports Park, “Evilynn” the AIRAID Equipped 2016 Camaro SS, and “Frankie”, his AIRAID equipped 2011 5th Gen Camaro. You see Thunderhill was the first race for “Evilynn” and Jordan wasn’t sure what to expect out on track with this bone stock street car, with the exception of upgraded tires. Needless to say, this straight from the showroom floor, 6th Gen Camaro SS put the competition to task. GM has seriously raised the bar for all those other muscle car manufacturers. But imagine if you will, having to keep two cars performing on the track and doing double duty as the driver. Now imagine 2 days, running from car to car, where in the end you place both 1st and 2nd on the podium in the competition rounds. Pretty impressive indeed. 
Introducing the NMCA West - Hotchkis Cup Series Grand Champion, Mr. Jordan Priestley | But Jordan didn’t stop impressing us at Thunderhill. He went on to have the most outstanding year in his motorsports career to date. Competing almost every other weekend all across the Nation, our AIRAID team driver hit the ground running and competed in more than 25 events. Talk about serious seat time. This proud papa has much to be proud of for his season in racing, family, and business.With the first of the year launch of the 6th Gen Camaro, there were quite literally no parts available to enhance “Evilynn’s” performance. While Jordan states that GM did an outstanding job with the design and development of the car, he needed more to up his competitive edge. JDP Motorsports found themselves throughout the season designing and fabricating performance parts for “Evilynn” to keep her nipping at the competition's heels. The 2016 AIRAID-equipped Camaro SS was also fitted with a prototype Detroit Speed & Engineering/JRi Shocks coilover package that also included front adjustable camber plates. Priestley also installed the new Centerforce DYAD Clutch, which was not only lighter, but outperformed the stock clutch, making a significant difference in how the Camaro handled out on track. 
Coming off the oval banks at Pikes Peak International Raceway for the OSUSC Qualifier in Colorado | The 2016 race season has been nothing short of stellar for the folks at JDP Motorsports. Just take a peek at this past season’s race highlights and all of the team’s podium finishes:- Thunderhill Motorsports Park - Multiple 1st Place finishes in GT Class competition rounds, Multiple Runner Up finishes in GT Class competition rounds, 2016 Camaro SS & 2011 Camaro
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway - 1st and 2nd Place finishes in GT Class competition rounds
- National Corvette Museum - 1st Place finish in Design for GT Class, podium finishes for GT Class in competition rounds
- Pikes Peak International Raceway - 1st Place finish Overall for GT Class earning the invite to OUSCI, OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational
- Circuit of the Americas - 1st Place finishes in GT Class competition rounds of Autocross and Road Course, 2nd Place finish Overall in GT Class
- Auto Club Speedway - 1st and 2nd Place finishes for GT Class in ALL individual categories of competition, 2nd Place overall for GT Class
- OUSCI Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Finished 26th overall against 90 competitors
- NMCA West Auto Club Speedway - Hotchkis Cup Modern Muscle Series Points Winner
- NMCA West Auto Club Speedway - Hotchkis Cup Grand Champion, having earned a 2nd Place finish at each of the 4 events. The Grand Champion is recognized for consistency over the course of the series season
- Sturgis Camaro Rally in South Dakota - 1st Place Autocross
- Holley LS Fest Beech Bend Raceway, Bowling Green, Kentucky - Top 10 Finish in the 3S Challenge, Top 20 Finish out of almost 140 Competitors
- 2016 Tire Rack Solo Nationals SCCA Lincoln, Nebraska - With a Podium Finish in Classic American Muscle Classic
Jordan takes home the win and OUSCI invite from Pikes Peak International Raceway |
And these are just the highlights. Jordan competed in the CAMC Invitational, multiple SCCA and NASA Events locally at the Utah Motor Sports Campus, along with so many more track days. As the President of JDP Motorsports, the #1 GM LSx Performance Parts Source located in Sandy, Utah, he is driven to excellence. Whether behind the wheel of his 6th Gen or in the shop building his customers' perfect dream car, he recognizes what it means to perform well. When talking about his long term goals, he’s working toward creating a brand reputation that is the Gold Standard in the automotive industry. He’s inspired by names like Lingenfelter, Guldstrand, and individuals like Mark Stielow who have helped to shape the industry as a whole. 
On the famed Circuit of the America's Road Course with OPTIMA's Search for the Ultimate Street Car | He’s quick to recognize the attention and benefits that the OPTIMA Series and MAV TV have afforded him and the JDP Motorsports Team. In turn, Jordan wants to give every bit he can back to those who have believed in him, his vision and passion from the very start. Jordan is humbled by the opportunities to represent national brands like AIRAID and Detroit Speed and Engineering, and so many others. He plans to continue with product testing through racing, consulting, and getting the parts from AIRAID and DSE out onto the proving grounds. He’s gunning to be a stronger force in the late model world with aftermarket performance choices. Currently JDP Motorsports is working with several local dealerships offering “Dealer Packages” allowing the consumer to have the performance of a supercharger included in the financing of their new vehicle. It certainly seems that our AIRAID driver has his eye on the prize! 
Jordan Priestley killing it out on the autocross course at the final NMCA West event | We asked Jordan just who some of his biggest influences have been in his life and in racing. He thought for a moment and shared that his grandfather who passed when Jordan was 20 was certainly a positive influence. He was a man of character and left Jordan always feeling good about himself and that he could accomplish anything he set his mind too. He had hoped his grandad could see what he’s been up to these days. Another person Jordan is inspired by is the legendary Dale Earnhardt. Talk about juxtaposition! But Jordan admired him for his prowess behind the wheel and his no-nonsense racing attitude. When the helmet went on it was time for racing and Jordan can relate to that. “Sure he was controversial, but that man could race” said Jordan. He likes to think of himself falling somewhere in the middle! 
Out on the Speed Stop Challenge with Jordan at Auto Club Speedway for the OSUSC Qualifier | What few rarely see is all the man hours from the team and the families that go into prepping these cars for track days. Jordan relies on that support and recognizes that any success he has whether in business or out on the track has been a team effort. His gratitude, sincerity and humility makes him approachable and most assuredly one of our favorites out on track. We look forward to what the 2017 race season brings for Jordan and the JDP Motorsports Team. He did tell us that his plan was to top the race season of 2016 and gave us a little teaser to keep us watching. Turns out the folks at JDP Motorsports plan to debut a 2017 Corvette Grand Sport mid-season. We couldn’t be more excited to see where this takes our AIRAID team driver. |
