(Image Credit: Casey Cochran)
Bryan Hulbert – SAPULPA, Okla. (October 31, 2018) Collecting his third championship with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com in as many years, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. will swap out bullets and take on the World of Outlaw Craftsman Sprint Car Series this weekend at the World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Can-Am
“We’re looking forward to this weekend. I made both shows last year but this year we want better than that. We’re going in with a better engine, better car, and better team but the biggest hurdle is qualifying so we’re focusing on getting timed in better and building on that,” stated Hafertepe.
On his goals of the weekend, Sam stated, “I’d like to have a pair of top-tens, but if we struggle in qualifying, that’s going to be tough but with the stuff we’ve learned running some 410cid stuff the past few weeks, hopefully, that will translate and we’ll be able to put our best foot forward.”
Going into the weekend with a wave of confidence, Hafertepe had a race for the ages this past Saturday night with a race-long battle with longtime friend, Sean McClelland. Getting the advantage finally on Lap 34, Sam was able to pull away to a decisive victory.
On setting up for the pass, Hafertepe explained, “One and two was the corner that really made everything on that race. I knew he was going to be on the bottom so I had to run the top so I had to be able to get through there without biking up or get too tight, so it was a really tough corner for me.”
Joined by Sean in Victory Lane, Hafertepe spoke of the race and the friendship the two have shared over the years.
“We don’t race together all the time, so with that, we don’t end up in instances as much where you’re going to rub a guy the wrong way, and vice versa. We used to be that way years ago, but we’ve matured enough so Saturday, it was still like the old days back when Sean was the top dog in the Sooner Region, and we were up and coming. It just had that feel and it was really cool to relive that.”
Kicking off Thursday, November 1 at the Dirt Track and Charlotte Motor Speedway, the World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Can-Am can be seen live on https://www.dirtvision.com.
For continued updates on Sam Hafertepe, Jr. log onto http://www.sam15.com and make sure to find him on Twitter (@samhafertepejr). For news on Hill’s Racing Team, log onto https://www.facebook.com/hillsracing/ and on Twitter (@HillsRacingTeam).
2018 Season to Date:
Events: 63; Wins -14 ; Top 5 - 34; Top 10 - 41; Top 15 –47; Top 20 –53;
Coming Up:
November 1-3, 2019 at the World of Outlaws World Finals presented by Can-Am
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. T-Shirts:
http://www.kevinquirkracewear.com/buy-driver-tees.htm
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011628097506
Website: http://www.sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samhafertepejr
The Sponsors:
Hill’s Racing Team, Townline Variety, Heidbreder Foundation Service, Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping, Fisher Racing Engines, Super Shox, J&J Chassis, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Huggins Cams, Champion Oil, The Sparks Family, Lonestar Speedway, Keizer Wheels, XYZ Machining, Simpson Racing Products, CP-Carrillo, KSE Power Steering, FK Rod Ends, BMRS, Allstar Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Vortex Wings, DMI, Wilwood Brakes, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Hwy. 79 Collision.
- Bryan Hulbert on Nov 01, 2018
- Article Date: 11/1/2018