(Bill W) July 17, 2009 – Jesse Hockett doesn’t want to leave the state of Oregon, but he’ll have to tonight, when the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series arrives in Elma, Washington. Three straight victories at Medford, Cottage Grove and Lebanon have the “Rocket” on a roll!
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 at the Southern Oregon Speedway. “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.”
Tuesday, it was on to the Cottage Grove Speedway. Jesse started in row three, and won his heat, before starting sixth in the main event. “The car was running well in the heat,” he says. “Steven Tiner was running well in the feature out front, and ended up spinning out. We were second by then, and that gave us the lead. We were able to pull away from the pack in the end.”
Jesse adapted quickly to the track. “There was a good top and bottom at Cottage Grove,” he says. “It was another track that fits our style…a banked ¼ mile. You could race anywhere. It was a pretty racy track. We had pretty much the same setup on all week. We didn’t waver much from it.”
Starting in the third row in a tough heat, Jesse was able to move up to second, before a good draw for the main event. “We ended up running second to Roger Crockett in the heat, and we finally drew well in the redraw when we got the pole. It was a good draw for the way the track was,” he says. “It was pretty narrow and slick. There was still something on the bottom, so that’s where everyone ran. It was definitely a change for me to run 30 laps on the bottom! I don’t know if I’ve done that too often.”
Late in the race, a caution came out. “We had built a pretty nice lead, but that yellow put Crockett on our bumper,” he says. “We ended up holding on by about a car length. I never really saw him beside me, but I knew he was there.”
Tonight and tomorrow night, the Lucas Oil ASCS National series help close out ASCS Northwest Speedweek. Jesse goes into the event holding a 28 point lead in the Speedweek standings.
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://jessehockett.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 completed his “Hat Trick” at the Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Oregon
- Bill Wright on Jul 17, 2009
- Article Date: 7/17/2009