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Rocket Hockett – Another Win and a Burlington Thriller!
(Bill W) May 12, 2009 – There's no stopping Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett these days…unless you send him to the back, and run 25 non-stop laps. Then he'll have to settle for charging back to second! That was the case with the IRA in West Burlington, Iowa last Friday night. He followed that with another win at Lake Ozark Speedway on Saturday night. This week, he'll head for Delaware (yes, Delaware) to run with the World of Outlaws on Tuesday, and then continue with the series on Thursday and Friday at Williams Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania. The team will race at either Port Royal or Lincoln Speedway on Saturday.
Friday plans for USAC and Bloomington, Indiana were doused by rain, so Jesse diverted the rig supplied by Korte Transportation to the IRA show at 34 Raceway. Armed with his non-wing car, wings were mounted and the "Rocket" laid down the second quick time of the night despite coming out 34th in the 42 car field. "Having a new motor and never having run it with a wing before, it wasn't too bad," says Jesse modestly. "That was actually our non-wing car. We threw the wing stuff on at the last minute after Bloomington cancelled. The way it worked out, to be that fast right off the bat had everyone pumped up."
Jesse had to purchase some headers for his Mopar engine, as the ones he was planning on using were in Indiana. He charged from sixth to second in his heat before lining up inside row four for the 30-lap feature. After passing Brian Brown for second on the fourth lap, he got over the cushion in turn two and slid sideways into the tire barriers. The stop sent him to the tail for the restart with 25 laps remaining. "I hated to make a mistake like that right at the beginning, but it was definitely fun after that," he says. "It's been awhile since I've had that much power, and the credit goes to Gary Stanton and his Mopar. We were so fast, and I just made a mistake going over the edge there."
Fast he was, charging all the way back through the field to finish second, and putting on a show for the fans. He passed Brown again with three laps to go. "I was just hoping to get back in the top ten, but we kept picking off car after car," says Jesse. "It would have been nice to have some yellows to help a bit. I like the track. There are a couple of ways you can race it, and it's the perfect size. It's not hard on equipment, but it's fast."
The win on Saturday night was nothing new, and the night went well. It started with a heat win from outside row two. "The car was running well and we had the lead by turn three," says the Warsaw, Missouri driver. "That track was in great condition, and when the car is running that well, it's easy on the driver."
One of the legends in sprint car racing, Terry Gray, towed up from the Memphis area to compete. He started outside Jesse in row one for the dash. "With Terry Gray in town, you know it's going to be tough," says Jesse, who won anyway. "It was good to have him there. We were lucky enough to start on the pole there, and win the dash."
The pair started the feature in the same order, and it was the same story. "I kind of got the jump on Terry again there," says Jesse. "The car was so good, it was pretty much cruise control from there on out. It was an awesome track; it was all the way up against the wall. That's where I like to run, of course, and it was really fun."
The World of Outlaws compete at Delaware International Speedway in Delmar on Tuesday and Williams Grove Speedway near Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on Thursday and Friday. Saturday plans are undetermined for the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch #13 team. One thing is certain. Buch will get to see the car run for the first time in awhile. "I would guess Tom (Buch) is ready to see us race! It will be good to have him around. We've been racing around home a lot lately. Running out there will be good, and we'll return for the USAC swing, of course. It was also good to have Tom VanKeirsbilck with us last week too. It's always good to have the people who make it all possible with you."
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 (explanation from Lonnie Wheatley): Jonathan Cornell finished second in the season closer at Double X Speedway last year.
Last week's winner: Joe Don McGaugh of Liberty, Missouri
This week's question: How many states has Jesse won sprint car features in?
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 [email protected]! Put "Hockett Trivia" in the subject line.
Rocket Rambles
Jesse is looking for his first Bloomington win. According to www.OpenWheelTimes.com, he has run six features with a top five finish, and three top tens. His fifth place finish came in the 2007 Sheldon Kinser Classic behind winner, Jon Stanbrough, Brady Short, Chad Boat and Daron Clayton.
Partner Spotlight – LRB Manufacturing
Jesse says, "LRB Manufacturing is not a huge company, so they have detail in every piece that comes out of there. The quality they have in their components is second to none. It's always great to work together with Rob on some components for the car."
Headquartered in Shingle Springs, California, LRB Manufacturing Inc. is a full service machine shop specializing in customized racing parts, R&D projects, prototypes and production. We focus on blending cutting edge technology and on-track testing with old world craftsmanship. Visit them on the web at www.LRBmfg.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 [email protected] 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!.
Victory Lane at Lake Ozark Speedway (Paul Gray/STLRacing.com Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IA USA[email protected]
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
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