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Nickname - "The Jet"
Car # - 96J
Home Track - Beatrice Speedway
How he got involved in Racing - His Father,
Elmer Saathoff
Been Racing Since - 1980
Occupation - Owner of Jet Racing Inc
Owner of Northeast Auto
Favorite Snack - Chocolate Chip Cookie
Favorite Nascar Driver - Clint Boyer, Carl
Edwards, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Favorite Colors - Purple and Yellow
Johnny lives in Beatrice, Nebraska with Traci,
his daughter Sierra, son Jaxon, and their dog
Mandy.
Car # - 96J
Home Track - Beatrice Speedway
How he got involved in Racing - His Father,
Elmer Saathoff
Been Racing Since - 1980
Occupation - Owner of Jet Racing Inc
Owner of Northeast Auto
Favorite Snack - Chocolate Chip Cookie
Favorite Nascar Driver - Clint Boyer, Carl
Edwards, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Favorite Colors - Purple and Yellow
Johnny lives in Beatrice, Nebraska with Traci,
his daughter Sierra, son Jaxon, and their dog
Mandy.
Johnny "The Jet" Saathoff
The Jet
As a boy, he was raised with cars
His father's business would make him a star
He started early to tinker in the yard,
Always a feeling to be on guard.
As he grew, his interest was to go fast,
A dream of his that would always last.
On the Streets of Beatrice, ready to race,
Any "dude" that would get in his face.
He seemed destined to race at a track,
Courage and talent, he didn't lack.
Many of wrecks he would go through,
Only to go home black and blue
As time went by his talent grew,
A champion was emerging, Beatrice never knew
The town didn't realize the talent, they couldn't see
As John started bringing home more business for the
community
For the speed that John drove, a nickname was set,
Everyone know would know him as the Jet
An idea grew, a business would be born,
Jet Racing could be found amongst the corn
In 1996, the first in Beatrice to have won,
He was crowned the IMCA National Champion
A crown under his belt, his hunger for another win came,
In '97 he would win the same.
As a boy, he was raised with cars
His father's business would make him a star
He started early to tinker in the yard,
Always a feeling to be on guard.
As he grew, his interest was to go fast,
A dream of his that would always last.
On the Streets of Beatrice, ready to race,
Any "dude" that would get in his face.
He seemed destined to race at a track,
Courage and talent, he didn't lack.
Many of wrecks he would go through,
Only to go home black and blue
As time went by his talent grew,
A champion was emerging, Beatrice never knew
The town didn't realize the talent, they couldn't see
As John started bringing home more business for the
community
For the speed that John drove, a nickname was set,
Everyone know would know him as the Jet
An idea grew, a business would be born,
Jet Racing could be found amongst the corn
In 1996, the first in Beatrice to have won,
He was crowned the IMCA National Champion
A crown under his belt, his hunger for another win came,
In '97 he would win the same.
In his highlighted life, he took the good with the bad,
Many nights coming home, a beating he had.
To hold his head high, when fellow racers put him down,
Sometimes didn't seem worth the crown.
Did people really realize the hours and dedication,
They seemed to think he did it for fun.
He was on top, they didn't think he deserved the crown.
It seemed so easy for them to put him down.
Against the odds, it happened for Johnny "The Jet",
As in '98 and '99, again the IMCA title he would get.
A feat that few men had ever done.
The weight on his shoulders had become a ton.
Following John around for one day will open your eyes,
You will see how hard he really tries.
To be fair to his fellow racer and return their call,
But some days, not enough time to return them all.
Come to his shop, take a look at this man,
He really tries to help everyone he can.
Sure, some dislike him, criticism is easy to do,
The should come meet him and get a clue.
As for me, Ive known him since school,
Back then I didn't think he was cool.
But seeing his passion, the dedication he can't hide,
I have finally gotten to see the real John inside.
Dedicated to John from a friend, 1999
