[i (Bill W) August 4, 2009]
“On the Eighth Night of Hockett my true love gave to me…a Mr. Sprint Car title!” At least Jesse Hockett hopes so. Cox Design and Metal Fabrication Iowa Speedweeks is underway, and Jesse won’t miss a beat at Knoxville and Oskaloosa, as he plans to run eight of the ten nights remaining (the other two are reserved for other competitors qualifying nights). It all starts this week, with the 360 Nationals and the Non-wing Nationals at Knoxville, before things in Oskaloosa begin.
“The Rocket” will qualify on Friday for the 360 Nationals. “I feel good about it,” he says of his chances. “We’re running the same motor we ran last year, and we qualified really well with it. We ended up making it through our heat, and it felt pretty good. We had been coming off running almost exclusively the non-wing stuff last year.”
If laps in a winged 360 were a concern last year, they shouldn’t be in 2009. “The time was short to get back in a rhythm,” says the Warsaw, Missouri driver. “This year has been a different story. I’m a lot more comfortable in a wing car going into this week. I think our chances are really good.”
A recent trip to the Northwest in ASCS competition nailed down three wins for the driver of the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch #13 in seven events in Oregon and Washington. “We’ve been on a pretty good roll lately,” says Jesse. “Though we ran at Knoxville weekly a few years back, there are always things to learn at this track. That’s why we ran here last Saturday. It was good to get some laps here.”
Jesse ran in 410 competition. After a tough qualifying effort (29th) had the team behind the 8-ball, they gained momentum as the night went on. “We were getting better and better as the night went on, and that’s what we were aiming to do was make some laps,” he says. “We kept working on the setup and working on the motor. We just needed some laps at Knoxville there.”
A sixth place heat run after starting eighth was one spot out of a transfer. A good run in the B from sixth to second set Jesse up outside of row eleven for the feature. He would cross the checkers in the 18th position. “It was actually good to run the B,” he says. “The more laps we can get the better, and I learned some stuff. We were basically trying something different every time that we hit the track.”
A quest for a seventh feature win of the year at Double X Speedway in California, Missouri fell short on Sunday due to mechanical difficulties. “We won our heat, and then suffered motor failure,” says Jesse. “It happened right when we took the checkered flag.”
Jesse’s schedule the next two weeks looks something like this: 360 Nationals at Knoxville Friday and Saturday, Non-wing Nationals at Knoxville Sunday, Front Row Challenge in Oskaloosa Monday, Ultimate Challenge in Oskaloosa Tuesday, 410 Nationals at Knoxville August 12-15.
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://jessehockett.com!
T-Shirt Trivia!
Last week’s answer: Jesse won his ASCS National events at Sedalia’s State Fair Speedway (2003), two at Lake Ozark Speedway (2005) and one at Baton Rouge (LA) Raceway in 2006.
Last week’s winner: Todd Hoffman from Dell Rapids, SD
This week’s question: Who won the D main in Jesse’s first 360 Nationals (he was 15th)?
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 competed in the 360 Nationals five times (2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008). He has made the A main cut in two of his last three tries, with last year’s effort earning him a seventh place finish. His best career finish at the 360 Nationals was preceded by a fifth place run on his qualifying night.
Partner Spotlight – Spike Products
Spike Products has headquarters in Brownsburg, Indiana and specializes in aluminum radiators, mounting kits, oil tanks, filler tanks and aluminum accessories. Call them today at 317-858-0074, or visit them on the web at www.SpikeRadiators.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 had the pink look for the Daniel McMillin Memorial at Lake Ozark Speedway earlier this year (Paul Gray/STLRacing.com)
- Bill Wright on Aug 04, 2009
- Article Date: 8/4/2009