Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

RIP Jesse Hockett. You were one of the best whether it was 360 or 410, wing or non wing, racing in the USA or down here in Australia. Thoughts and prayers to the Hockett family and friends at this tragic time. Jesse you will be greatly missed. God speed The Rocket.

R.I.P.

dttfowtm ...  
Proud Member of Sprntlover's Babysitting Service
Pa Posse Says Race or Shut Your Pie Hole!
Work hard & become a leader. Be lazy & end up a slave.
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Christ's peace. Thanks to his friends and family for supporting him to entertain us. Didn't see him race much but just the pictures show his talent.

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

I learned of this last night and am still at a loss of meaningful words this morning. What an all around great person as well as one of the best racers, not just a driver but RACER I have ever met/seen. Pure talent. Jesse, you will be sorely missed. My condolences to the entire family. This is so tragic.

Thoughts and Prayers to his Family and Friends

The Rocket was a one-of-a-kind type of racer that ran anywhere, anything, anytime. Who would ever expect to have him to be taken from us now. I had heard of him, but hadn't seen him race much 5-10 yrs back. When US-36 started having weekly sprint races on Friday nights, I went down a few Fridays that summer. It didn't take long to know that this kid was a serious gasser!! One of the nights I remember seeing him hop his right rear up on the front stretch concrete, but still kept his right foot buried and going forward! On tracks like US-36 (high-banked bullrings), talent & desire rise quickly to the top - and you could tell Hockett had it. When only 10-15 cars showed up on some nights, as long as Hockett was in the pits, I knew it was worth the trip down. I remember him transitioning into nonwing cars, and wondering if he could do it. In a pretty short time, I found out that I was foolish to question that! On a big half-mile, few were better. For some reason, Osky seemed to fit him to a T. He was so smoothe, but knew when to push the car a little harder to go forward. He was so close to winning the year that Dickie Gaines won, and I was so glad that he got the win last year in that great race with Darland. Very few had the desire to race as much as he did, and very few had the talent to line up the rides to do it in. Maybe more important than that, he was a good guy and one that everybody looked up to. RIP Rocket, we'll never forget you!

I can't even begin to say how saddened I am by this news. My thoughts go out to the Hockett family and the vkcc team. Although physically gone, his legacy will be carried on through all of the accomplishments and memories left behind. He will be missed.

Peace, and comfort to all affected by this tragedy.

Jesse was one of the most gifted and talented drivers to come around in a long time. Kind of reminded me of a young Stewart. He was spectacular in wingless sprints. Rest in peace Jesse.

Well race fans, where do I start. Jeese was a friend and racer I always wanted to go watch anywhere, anycar,any night. When I 1st watching him run it was the chili bowl for his 1st time in the Jackson #0, I knew right then he had talent. Not knowing who he was then, all I can remember a SCAT 4 was running the cushion. Jesse had that SCAT wound up on the top sling around the top giving everything that midget had. I was from there hooked to go watch the ROCKET.

As known as the Krazy Korean, Jesse and his cousin Daniel stopped me one time at Knoxville. As we chatted we talked,joked and talking racing. It was good times. I will remember that forever.

I will never forget Osky when he had a classic battle with Dickie Gaines,when his Dad Jack was running to the front stretch saying THAT IS MY BOY, THAT IS MY BOY! His dad was so proud of him. Jack to this day thinks Jesse won in his mind

In my mind, Jesse was an one of a kind driver in this era. He would run anything, it did not matter.

Micro, sprint car or midget.

To this day I cannot believe he ran Eldora one night and Manzy the next afternoon. If that is not determination, then I do not what that word means. I have done some crazy trips, however that tops any of my ventures.

Jesse, the whole racing community is going to miss your incredible slidejobs, rimriding on the cushion, or your victorylane donuts. To me there is going to be an empty feeling for many race fans. I know I will..

I send me prayers and thoughts to the whole Hocket family ( by seeing victory lane photos, your family had full confidence that you were going to be a big, big racing star) and Tom & Asta of VKCC Motorsports

one of the best ever RIP it will be a long time before theres another like this kid

I just couldn't believe the news when a heard it?? What a crying shame, my heart goes out the the family and his friends. We lost a real good one, on and off the track!!! RIP Jesse until we all meet again!

Absolutely stunned by the news of "The Rocket" passing away. He will be sorely missed by sprint car fans, friends and family for decades to come. RIP Jesse your one of the greatest to ever strap into a sprint car.

"Winged or non-winged its all about 
the sprint cars for me!"
http://mattmusselldesigns.daportfolio.com

Rest in peace Jessie.....

Top Row Rowdie

Jesse has many friends here in AZ, and he's going to be missed dearly, and remembered forever... THE ROCKET, JESSE HOCKETT!

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

I just want to write, and write and write....i want to cry and cry and cry....more than anything, i want to see that big red head kid pit side, and flying around the outside, right next to the wall....I don't know what else to say or do, its surreal....please come back.

Tbird

"Grip it and Rip it, just don't Flip it!"
R.I.P. Lester

Tbird

I saw him race only once at the now defunct Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix. I can't remember whether it was a SCRA or a USAC/CRA show. During a heat race, he drifted out of turn two and slapped the wall very hard. He never let off the as at all and threw the car into turn 3 without missing a beat. After the races I had the oppotunity to talk with him. I mentioned that he'd exhibited "big brass ones" as I didn't know if the car had been damaged or not. He just smiled and replied that he hadn't had any idea of damage either.

A true racer. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Tucson Osty

It was hard to sit and watch Jesse be dropped into the ground, and it honestly still doesn't seem real. Seems like he's out on the road somewhere....and I bet he is strapping up as we think about him right now....or he's running a little late or forgetting a last minute detail. Go get 'em Jess!

Tbird

"Grip it and Rip it, just don't Flip it!"
R.I.P. Lester

Tbird