Story By: ALEX NIETEN / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – Eight months ago, a text appeared on Robby McQuinn’s phone that completely changed the trajectory of his year.
He was in Florida helping Zach Daum during Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Nationals already with change on the horizon. After two years on Noah Gass’ team following the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour, McQuinn’s 2024 plans featured a move to Washington to work for Greg Hamilton.
And then came a text from Carson Macedo asking him to call.
Macedo wanted to know if he might want to join Jason Johnson Racing as they were in search of a car chief. Before he knew it, McQuinn had moved into their team shop in Eldon, MO and was back with a full-time World of Outlaws team.
It didn’t take long for a breakthrough moment to come. On McQuinn’s fourth night with the team, Macedo took the No. 41 to Victory Lane at Kennedale Speedway Park. It’ll forever be a special moment for McQuinn as it marked his first night on a World of Outlaws winning crew.
“Just talking about it now I get chills. It’s something that, for a while, I never thought I’d get the feeling of achieving,” McQuinn said of the Kennedale victory. “I can remember standing up there and watching it. There’s five to go, and I’m counting down. We’re catching traffic, and David (Gravel) is charging. Carson doesn’t know the top is coming in in (Turns) 3 and 4. I’m getting nervous. Then the checkered flies, and it was just a surreal moment that you’re never going to feel again because you’re never going to win your first Outlaw race again. It was super cool and a moment I’ll never forget and a night I’ll never forget.”
Macedo and company haven’t slowed since. They’re up to 10 wins and in the thick of the title fight, 86 markers behind David Gravel with eight races to go. McQuinn has fit right into the mold of JJR.
“He came on board and has just done a phenomenal job,” Macedo said. “We knew that he was going to be a good fit right away because we had seen his ethic. When we reached out to Randy Gass and asked, ‘What do you think of Robby?’ he had nothing but great things to say. That really helped us make that decision, and he’s kind of hit the road running ever since. He does a great job. He’s got a great work ethic. He’s got a great attitude. He’s really been a great asset to our team.”
A year on the road with the team established by the “Ragin’ Cajun” has not only allowed McQuinn to enjoy loads of success, it’s also been a major learning experience. Working for JJR means working for one of the most respected car owners/crew chiefs in the sport, Philip Dietz.
“It’s been a blessing for me,” McQuinn said. “I’ve learned a lot this year, almost a different way of thinking for me personally because Phil is very calculated. He doesn’t make a change that he hasn’t already thought through in his head once if not twice maybe even three times. He’s an engineer by trade, so his mind thinks a little differently than most. For me, it’s been a real eye opener to see the way he goes about setting up a Sprint Car and just handling day to day operations.”
The peak of their 2024 campaign arrived just this past weekend at Williams Grove Speedway. Macedo drove to a National Open title, making McQuinn a winner of one of the sport’s most prestigious crown jewels.
It’s a moment that caused McQuinn to reflect. Less than a year before his racing journey looked to be heading in an entirely different direction. One that would’ve removed him from the national scene. Instead, his dreams are coming true with Jason Johnson Racing.
“When we were driving back from “The Grove” I was sitting there in the passenger seat just thinking to myself, ‘Wow, I almost wasn’t even in this position’” McQuinn said. “I was almost in Washington not even on the road. To me just riding in the truck I think that’s when it hit me. Not even that we won the National Open, but it hit me that I was about a month away from not even being in this position to contend for a championship and win a crown jewel and win 10 races and develop friendships that will last a lifetime. In the moment, I was just very grateful for everything that has happened.”
And while the National Open is currently the highlight of the season, there’s an opportunity for McQuinn to reach the sport’s mountaintop. Macedo sits second in the standings with a handful of races to go and a manageable gap between himself and Gravel. That single text back in February has led McQuinn to a dream season and put him in a position he never imagined.
“We’ve just kept rolling and rolling, and the next thing you know we’re not too far behind David again in the points,” McQuinn said. “And we’ve got one goal in mind for the rest of the year.”
Macedo, McQuinn, and the entire Jason Johnson Racing crew continue their pursuit of a World of Outlaws championship this Saturday, Oct. 12 at Abbottstown, PA’s Lincoln Speedway.