[i (Bill W) August 25, 2009]
A third place standing in the Sprint Bandits Tour ‘N Topless standing was the reward for “The Rocket” Jesse Hockett after he finished in the top ten in each of the tour stops last week. He added a second place finish after putting the wing on for ASCS-Midwest/Winged Outlaw Warrior action Sunday at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri. This week, Jesse plans on running at the
US36 Raceway near Osborn, Missouri on Friday, and at the Lake Ozark Speedway on Saturday.
The TNT series began on Monday, August 17 at Nebraska Raceway Park near Greenwood, Nebraska. After running fifth in his heat and second in his qualifier, Jesse ran from 12th to 8th in the feature. “We got up as far as sixth, but really we weren’t that good all night,” he says. “We missed it a little bit in the main event. I thought the top would be the way to go, but the bottom came in, and that’s where everyone ended up.”
On Wednesday, action shifted to the State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City.
The Warsaw, Missouri driver struggled until the B main. “We were terrible in the heat (4th) and the qualifier (6th),” he says. “We ran well in the B (1st). We had it going pretty good in the A (19th to 7th). We just kind of ran out of laps there.”
A rain out on Thursday at the Creek County Speedway near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, set up a two-night finale at the Ron Shuman Classic at the Lakeside Speedway near Kansas City. Jesse, who has won the event twice, was on until feature time. “We were definitely really good in the heat
(1st) and the qualifier (3rd),” he shares. “But we definitely chose the wrong left rear for the feature. We really backed up to seventh.”
Another strong start to the night (1st in the heat, 2nd in the Qualifier) put Jesse up front in the feature. Battles with Brady Bacon and Hud Cone for the top three spots ensued after the green flag fell, but he would fall one spot short of winning the Classic again. “We ended up second in points over the two nights, and we started outside row one in the main event,” he says. “We were staying there with Brady and Hud Cone in traffic. There were a lot of stoppages, and there was one that was green, white, checker at the finish. We just couldn’t get it done, and we ended up second.”
The show at Sedalia on Sunday started well enough with a second place run in the heat race. Jesse was in the redraw, and would start sixth in the main event. After a slow start, he would finish second. “I had a terrible start on the first lap,” he says. “The car started to come in towards the middle and end of the race. I was able to get by (Jack) Dover there with three to go into second. We had a good battle there with Randy Martin and Dover quite a bit of the way. We ran down (Brian) Brown when he was in traffic a bit, but we couldn’t quite get him. We had a second place car.”
On Friday, Jesse will try to defend his June win at the US36 Raceway when the ASCS-Midwest/WOW cars arrive. On Saturday, he’ll race at the Lake Ozark Speedway, where he has four wins this season. It will be his first race there since the June 27 Daniel McMillin Memorial.
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: 2009 - Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett, 2008 – Dave Darland, 2007 – Rain, 2006 – Jerry Coons Jr., 2005 – Levi Jones, 2004 – Dickie Gaines, 2003 – Boston Reid, 2002 – Travis Rilat, 2001 – JJ Yeley (Exhibition only)
Last week’s winner: Daniel Hutto from Tucson, AZ
This week’s question: Jesse won the Ron Shuman Classic in 2003 and 2004.
Who finished second each of those years?
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
This weekend, Jesse will be looking for his 12th win at US36 Raceway, and his 13th at Lake Ozark Speedway. Jesse’s first win at LOS came in 2005.
He also beat the ASCS National series there two nights in a row. In the 2nd Annual LOS 360 Nationals finale, Tim Montgomery, Jon Corbin, Zach Chappell and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. chased him to the line.
Partner Spotlight – Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems
“I’ve had a lot of close calls in racing, and I won’t ride in anything but a Butlerbuilt Advantage seat,” says Jesse, who has used Brian and Jeannie Butler’s seats on a permanent basis for four years now. “I had a car land on me and bounce off that seat. Without it, I’m not sure where I’d be right now.” To learn more about the Butler Advantage, visit www.butlerbuilt.net today!
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!.
- Bill Wright on Aug 27, 2009
- Article Date: 8/27/2009