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Jerrod Hull – Charge Salvages Opener at 34 Raceway!
(Bill W) April 15, 2013 – Jerrod Hull didn't know if he would be allowed back out after suffering a flat tire while running third on Saturday at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa. Fortunately, the Sikeston, Missouri driver was, and he was able to climb to a sixth place finish in the MOWA opener. This weekend, MOWA will compete at the Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, Illinois on Sunday and the Rockwell American #12 will be on hand.
The big talk at 34 Raceway was tires. The new Hoosier compound and an abrasive track surface early on were the talk in the pits. "I don't remember the last time we burnt up a set of tires after hot laps like that," says Jerrod. "We did actually run them in the heat race, but they were done after that."
Jerrod won his heat from the pole and precariously skidded over the turn one berm after the checkers. "We had the throttle linkage strip out right at the flag stand," he says. "It killed the engine and I couldn't steer. We jumped off the track and I was thinking, 'Please don't flip over! It cost us $500 to letter this thing!' Good thing it happened when it did!"
New rear tires were on for the Dash and Jerrod ran fourth. Things started well enough in the 30-lap main event. "We started out well," he says. "We were by AJ (Bruns) and the car felt really good. That's when the caution came out and we got the flat."
A caution for a spun car slowed things, and Jerrod realized his left rear tire was down. "We had the flat there in the feature," he says. "For some reason, the left rear tire wouldn't seal around the bead lock. It's the same wheels we ran last year. Talking with some other teams, one of them had to get all new bead lock rings. That hurt us in the feature."
Because the caution was not thrown for him, the crew, led by crew chief, Scott Bonar, had to work quickly. "I didn't think we would get back out there," says Jerrod. "The way the caution fell, I thought I lost my laps. I think they may have given us an extra lap, so that was a good deal."
The team couldn't be choosy about the tire they bolted on. "We had one left rear available, and that gave us a way different stagger," says Jerrod. "We were still pretty nice, but not as good as we were before. That gave me a good feeling, knowing that we were able to pass that many cars and not be quite right."
Jerrod was able to settle in and pick off his competitors, settling for the sixth place finish. "Points-wise it worked out o.k.," he says. "We were able to get back up through there to a decent finish. The first night out, you don't want to be starting way back in points!"
Despite worries about the track, the race turned in was one of the best witnessed in some time. In addition to Jerrod's charge, Terry McCarl and Lucas Wolfe came from the tail to second and third. "I didn't know how the track would be," admits Jerrod. "I was worried that it was taking rubber. It turned out great and the fans had to love it. McCarl and Lucas coming from the back up through there. That was neat. I think the crowd would have loved that one."
Jerrod may have a busy weekend in store. "We're definitely running Danville Sunday," he says. "We were able to win there last time, so we're looking forward to that. We may run Jacksonville Friday night. We're not sure yet. (Son) Jett will run his quarter-midget at Lincoln on Saturday. That would make a good three-day weekend for us."
Jerrod and the #12 team would like to thank: Rockwell American, Midland Performance, Super Shox, Sebastian Sand Blasting & Powder Coating, Inc., Sherwin Williams, Chuck's Small Engines, Don Hamilton, HRP, Lighthouse Christian Center, Logo Daddy, Hoosier Tire, Simpson, Weld, Automotive Machine, Maxim and Heartland Trailer Manufacturing.
Jerrod races at 34 Raceway (Funderburk Racing Photo)
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