(Bill W) June 23, 2009 – Jesse “the Rocket” Hockett was victorious in two more feature events last weekend, giving the Warsaw, Missouri sprint car driver a lucky 13 wins on the season, matching his car number.
After devastating an ASCS-Midwest/WOW field on Friday night at US36 Raceway, he won again at the Double X Speedway near California, Missouri on Sunday night. Oh yeah, he mixed in a pavement race in Michigan on Saturday! This weekend will be highlighted by Saturday’s Daniel McMillin Memorial at the Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon, Missouri on Saturday.
With the weather iffy on Friday, Jesse and the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch team were planning on a trip to race on Saturday at the Kalamazoo Speedway in Michigan. When the rain held off at the US36 Raceway near Cameron, plans changed in a hurry…too much of a hurry. The rig ran out of fuel, and the trip was made without wings. “We didn’t think we were close to the empty line, but we ran out,” says Jesse of the fuel gaffe.
“We learned how far we can push the new truck. We were banking on Cameron raining out to be honest. We had put our dirt car upstairs (in the trailer) and our pavement car was down. After we loaded, we totally forgot the wings. We had nine sitting there.”
A call to Mark Burch was placed, and Jesse spent the night with a black “bananawagon” #1m wing on top of the sprint car. “I have to thank Mark Burch for lending us the wing, but I have to question his sanity for loaning it to us at Cameron,” says Jesse. “Lending us a wing is one thing, but to do it at Cameron is another!”
The high-banked 1/3 mile was its typical bucking bronco self. “It is always rough and heavy,” says Jesse. “It has a lot of treacherous characteristics. I like the track, because most of the other guys don’
t. They don’t run as hard as they need to, and I run where most don’t even think about running. The harder I drive the car there, the better it handles.”
Lining up in the back of a heat that included Brian Brown, Chad Humston, Jack Dover, Josh Fisher and Mike Boston was not what the doctor ordered, but Jesse drove from eighth to fifth. Starting in the lucky 13th spot in the main event, “the Rocket” was surging. He was to third by lap seven, and would eventually make the winning pass on lap 12. “The heat was tough, but we were able to get through it and make it to the A,” he says. “Once we did that, I knew with a couple of yellow flags that we would have a shot. As it turned out, I’m not sure we needed them.”
The win made the 600 mile trip overnight to Kalamazoo a little sweeter.
That ended quickly as Jesse struggled to a 14th place finish. “We just struggled getting set up there,” says Jesse. “We had no notes on the place, and with not a lot of experience on pavement, that makes it tough without a baseline to go off of. It’s a guessing game and we were totally wrong. I’m looking forward to this week at Richmond (Friday).
Chris Santucci and Robert Hubbard who help with our Silver Crown car will be down there to help me along on the pavement.”
The rig steered back home, and Jesse was home in time to capture the win at Double X Speedway Sunday. “Randy Martin and I had a good race going,” he says. “We had a couple of slide jobs back and forth the first three laps. Another five, and I tried to slide him and we were side by side when the yellow came out.”
Though Jesse stayed up front, Martin made a charge that got the fans going. “He ended up with a flat tire on a red flag so he had to go to the back,” says Jesse. “I hated to see it, because it was going to be a good race between us. He ended up coming back through there to second on my rear bumper with eight to go. We were able to take off to the win after that.”
Daniel McMillin Memorial Saturday!
The Lucas Oil ASCS National Series visits the Lake Ozark Speedway on Saturday for the Daniel McMillin Memorial. The race will honor Jesse’s late cousin and crew chief. “I’m really excited about that,” says Jesse. “I’m looking forward to the race and to remembering Daniel. It’
s a time to enjoy the memories and have a good time. That’s what Daniel was about.”
Surprises are in store for the #13. “We have a special paint scheme for this one race only,” says Jesse. “It’s a pretty crazy deal that will surprise a lot of people. We’re going for the win too! It’s a great track, and there will be a lot of great drivers there. A lot of them were buddies with Daniel and I. This race is all about him and having a great time.”
Jesse on Lucas Oil ASCS Show With Racin’ Boys Tonight!
Jesse will be appearing tonight on the www.Racinboys.com and the Lucas Oil ASCS Show. He will be looking back on his win at US36, and ahead to the Daniel McMillin Memorial. Click the LIVE BROADCAST button on the homepage. The show is at 7 p.m. CST.
Sprintcar and Midget Magazine!
Jesse is the cover story for June’s edition of Sprintcar and Midget Magazine. Dave Argabright did a great job with the story! Go pick it up now!
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://jessehockett.homestead.com!
T-Shirt Trivia!
Last week’s answer: Jesse sported the #77 when he started running sprint cars.
Last week’s winner: Brandon Darr from Kirksville, MO
This week’s question: What racetrack did Jesse run his first race at?
Each week, we’ll be giving away a Jesse Hockett t-shirt to our trivia winner! We will draw a winner from the correct answers submitted on Friday following the release. Submit your trivia answer, along with your name, address and t-shirt size to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net! Put "Hockett Trivia" in the subject line.
Rocket Rambles
Jesse should be ready for the Lucas Oil ASCS National series and their visit to Lake Ozark Speedway. He has won his last four starts at the oval near Eldon, Missouri going back to August of 2008. Overall, he has twelve wins in 27 feature starts at the facility located around 60 miles from his hometown of Warsaw. Those wins have all come in his last 21 starts.
Partner Spotlight – Diversified Machine, Inc.
Jesse says – “We run the Bulldog rear-ends, and one thing you don’t have to worry about is mechanical failure. DMI builds strong parts and we’ve been working with them from the start.”
Enthusiasm and dependability are three attributes you find on a winning team. The DMI product line is a constant work in progress and has been since 2001. DMI has been there with new designs and superior product while trying to maintain a fair price. Team up with a company that wants to be the best. Join Team DMI! Visit them on the web at www.DiversifiedRacing.com!
Rocket Hockett
“Rocket Hockett” is an up close look at the past, present and future of Jesse Hockett. To receive "Rockett Hockett", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Hockett" in the subject line.
Jesse would like to thank the partners of the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch team, including Parker Store of Phoenix, AMS Waterfall Systems, Rod End Supply, LRB Manufacturing, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Diversified Machine, Inc., Fischer Body Shop, Simpson, Hoosier, Conroy Bleeders, ARP Fasteners, Indy Race Parts, Massey’s Truck and Tank Repair, RMS Racing Engines, Pro Powder Coating, Korte Transportation, Rocket Graphics, Lucas Oil, Weld Racing, Spike Products, Maxwell, Red Onion Lounge, Engler, Barnes Dry Sump Oil Systems, FSR Racing Products, RH2, Canyon Apparel, JEI, Total Seal Piston Rings, JE Pistons and Wings Unlimited for all their help!.
Photo -
Jesse was able to celebrate Father’s Day with dad in Victory Lane at Double X Speedway (John Lee/High Fly’N Photos)
- Bill Wright on Jun 23, 2009
- Article Date: 6/23/2009