The West Coast run hasn’t been the greatest for the third year World of Outlaw Sprint Car driver, Sam Hafertepe Jr., but the team did pull of a solid finish the first night in Tulare this past Friday. It was a night of 15’s for Sam as he qualified the Fusion Energy Boost J&J in the upper half of the field, finished just outside the top 2 in the heat race at third and lined up on the inside of the 8th row for the Main Event. Up to 11th in this 35 lap contest, Hafertepe bicycled and fell back a couple of spots and finished 15th to cap off the night. Saturday’s show in Tulare, Hafertepe qualified late at 29th which placed him in the back of the pack in the 1st heat race. Finishing outside of the top five, Sam then had to run the Semi. He started 9th with his Fusion Energy Boost J&J, jumped to fourth and then made a last lap 2-car pass to transfer himself into the 35 lap Main Event. Unfortunately the Cali’ bad luck continued and a brake line broke early in the race on the third lap. “We just haven’t had the luck this year,” explains Sam, “We have the team to make solid top ten finishes week in and week out, and it’ll come, we just can’t allow these bad weeks get to us and take every week as its own.” Going into Manzanita the team feels very confident considering the fact that they always qualify decent there and they know just what the need to do to make that goal of a top 10. After Manzanita this coming Saturday, it is off to the family owned Lonestar Speedway in Kilgore, Texas, where the World of Outlaws will make their 1st appearance since the track was taken over and refurbished by Sam’s parents, Sam Sr. and Lisa. Stay up to date with Sam and the Plumbfast team through the team website, www.sam15.com. Special thanks to Fusion Energy Boost, GH Plumbing, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Smiley's Racing Products, Kear's Speed Shop, Wings Unlimited, Rocket Headers, J&J Chassis, Frankland Racing Supply, Torco Racing Fuels, Rod End Supply, Ameri-Tech Pest Control, Hoosier Tires and Penske Shocks.
- administrator on Mar 23, 2009
- Article Date: 3/23/2009