heathlawsonphotos.com

With Brennon Willard sidelined by back injuries suffered in a Friday wreck at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill., fellow Lebanon, Mo., driver and de facto teammate Tony Jackson Jr. will pilot Willard's No. 3 Dirt Late Model the rest of the season, the team announced today.

Willard (pictured) suffered compression fractures of two vertebrae when his car slammed down in a World of Outlaws Case Late Model Series consolation race incident. The injury was discovered in an MRI test today.

“As a result, I’m out of the driver’s seat for at least eight weeks, but to be on the safe side I’ll likely sit the rest of the season out to make sure I get fully recovered," Willard said in a press release. "I want to make sure I’m fully healthy for my family, and I’ve also got a business to run, so I’m focused on those aspects before considering a return to racing."

Willard will turn over his car to Jackson, a five-time MARS and two-time Lucas Oil Midwest LateModel Racing Association champion who will pilot the Capital Race Car starting with upcoming Comp Cams Super Dirt Series events in Oklahoma.

“I’ve known the Willard family for a long time and a few years ago I drove a pavement car for Brennon’s uncle David. Brennon and I started working on some things this year that we are looking to progress into next year, so with all of that already in motion he decided to have me drive his car for the remainder of the year,” Jackson said. “I greatly appreciate the support from the Willard family, and hopefully we can kick things into gear with some wins during the second half of the season.”

Jackson, winless in 13 starts in his own No. 56 car this season, is looking for his first victory since his Sept. 4, 2022, MLRA triumph in Moberly, Mo.

Correction: Fixes year of Jackson's previous victory.