(Bill W) July 14, 2009 – Jesse Hockett picked up win #16 on the season at the Southern Oregon Speedway near Medford in his first visit to the state last night. The event marked the beginning of ASCS Northwest Speedweek, which continues in Oregon: tonight in Cottage Grove and tomorrow in Lebanon. The weekend will bring the Lucas Oil ASCS National series to Elma, Washington.
Jesse and the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch #13 team made the 28 hour tow from Hartford, South Dakota on Saturday to Medford on Monday. After starting fourth in his heat race, “The Rocket” waited until late to make his winning move. “It was fun. We were able to pull off a slide job there on the last lap for the win. It made the drive worth it, that’s for sure.”
With the top eight in passing points redrawing (Jesse was tops), the usual luck followed to the Pacific Northwest with a draw of eight. It didn’t faze Jesse, and he took the lead towards the midway point. “With Wayne Johnson on the pole, we knew we had our work cut out for us,” he says. “About five laps in, we were able to get up to third. We were able to get by Wayne with about ten laps in, and we were pretty much good from there on out.”
This is Jesse’s first trip to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is the ninth state that he has tasted victory in. “The track suited my style,” he says. “It’s a nice little quarter mile. It’s pretty country out here. Our next few drives won’t be quite as long as Sunday and Monday, that’s for sure.”
Saturday, the Lucas Oil ASCS National series made a stop at the I-90 Speedway in Hartford, South Dakota before heading to the Pacific Northwest. The banked short track was heavy all night long. Jesse started and finished third in the heat with 52 cars on hand. “The track was pretty heavy and hard to pass on in the heat,” he says. “It was that way in the B too. Pretty much where you started, was where you were going to finish.”
With the top two transferring through the B to the A, Jesse fell one spot short. He ended up taking a provisional and driving from 23rd to 9th in the main event. “Finishing third in the B, we had to take a provisional for the A,” says the Warsaw, Missouri driver. “We had most of the cars passed in the early going before we were up to full speed. The car was really good, but we probably had ten of those cars passed in the first couple laps. After that, the track was heavy and everybody was about the same speed, so it was hard to move up.”
The team heads to Cottage Grove Speedway tonight, before hitting the Willamette Speedway in Lebanon tomorrow. ASCS Northwest Speedweek will conclude with the arrival of the Lucas Oil ASCS National series at Grays Harbor Raceway Park in Elma, Washington on Friday and Saturday.
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: Billy Alley was the mystery crewman with Jesse at Double X Speedway.
Last week’s winner: Paul Kidd from Sioux Falls, SD
This week’s question: How many ASCS National series wins does Jesse have in his career?
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 has eclipsed his career best win total of 13 that he achieved twice, once in 2003 and then in 2008. In 2003, he had six wins at the US36 Raceway, three at Double X Speedway, once at Savannah Speedway and Capital Speedway. He also won with the ASCS National series in Sedalia, and at the Lakeside Speedway SCRA finale worth $10,000. Last season, he picked up six at Double X, three at Manzanita Speedway, two at Lake Ozark Speedway, one at LA Raceway and the $12,500 Perris Oval Nationals in California.
Partner Spotlight – JEI Chassis
JEI Chassis was established in the fall of 2003 with the first chassis hitting the track in 2004. They now have cars racing locally all across the US and Australia. At JEI, they are not interested in having the cheapest product out there nor are they interested in building the highest volume of race cars. Their expectations are high and their focus is solely on building the best sprint cars out there. Each and every piece that carries the JEI logo is manufactured from the highest quality raw material available. They cut no corners. Their priorities are in safety, strength, durability, and performance. They genuinely care about all of our customers' safety and success. Visit them online at www.JEIPerformance.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 at the I-90 Speedway in Hartford, SD (Gene Kaderabek Photo)
- Bill Wright on Jul 15, 2009
- Article Date: 7/15/2009