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Rocket Hockett – ASCS Northwest Speedweek Champion!
(Bill W) July 21, 2009 – Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett claimed the $1,000 to win ASCS Northwest title on the strength of three wins in Oregon. The car continued to run well over the weekend with the Lucas Oil ASCS National series. The Warsaw, Missouri driver will run Wednesday night in Placerville, California with the Civil War 360 series. He'll return to Cottage Grove, Oregon where he won last week when ASCS arrives Friday and Saturday.
Friday night at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington, Jesse lined up inside row two for the first heat race and trailed Roger Crockett to the finish line. "We did as well as we could do with Roger Crockett starting up front like that," he says. "That gave us some points, but not enough. That put us back in twelfth to start the feature."
From outside row six, Jesse was able to pick forward five spots and finish in seventh in the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch #13 machine. "We were just a little bit off," he says. "We went with the setup we had used in Oregon, because it had been doing well. It wasn't broke, so we didn't think we had to fix it. Well, Elma was a little different track. We were just a little tight."
A good draw put him outside of his heat race for Saturday's Fred Brownfield Memorial finale. The result was a heat race win. "It was a slicker track, and we rolled around there really nice," he says. "Even though we got the maximum points we could get, we were still one spot out of the redraw. We ended up starting seventh."
The laps clicked away in the main event, and Jesse got stronger. Disaster struck at the midway point. "We were holding our own there in sixth," he says. "With 16 laps down, the car was just starting to feel good. We were running strong and starting to run some guys down. The front axle snapped off at the kingpin, and when it did, that put me straight into the wall."
Jesse came into the night in a battle for the ASCS Northwest title with Crockett. After Jesse's DNF the title appeared to be Crockett's as he crossed the finish line with the win. When he hit the scales though, he came up light. That handed the championship back to "The Rocket". "It was a tough break for him, but we had one ourselves," he says. "I guess it all evened out, and we were left on top for the week. We ended up with the better average finish."
Wednesday night, Jesse heads south to the Placerville Speedway in California to drive for owner Harold Main in Civil War 360 series action on "Wild Winged Wednesday". "I think Wayne Johnson (who also drives for Harold) helped out with this deal," he says. "We'll be running the JEI car down there. They haven't run well with them, and I run them all the time, so hopefully, we can sort out some of their difficulties, and they can get them going with Wayne."
Jesse is also getting help from family in the Pacific Northwest. "I'd really like to thank my cousin Tyler who is connected with Doubletree Inn Guest Suite Seattle/South Center," he says. "He worked there before he was transferred to Indianapolis. They were able to give us a few nights stay free up here. It beats sleeping in the truck."
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://jessehockett.com!
Rocket Rambles
Jesse won in his only other run with the California Civil War Series, earning $2300. The race took place on June 17, 2006, and he was behind the wheel of the Flachman #55 at the Calistoga Speedway. Andy Forsberg was second, followed by Peter Murphy, "The Central Valley Samurai" Garrett Ishii and Roger Crockett.
Partner Spotlight – JEI Chassis
JEI Chassis was established in the fall of 2003 with the first chassis hitting the track in 2004. They now have cars racing locally all across the US and Australia. At JEI, they are not interested in having the cheapest product out there nor are they interested in building the highest volume of race cars. Their expectations are high and their focus is solely on building the best sprint cars out there. Each and every piece that carries the JEI logo is manufactured from the highest quality raw material available. They cut no corners. Their priorities are in safety, strength, durability, and performance. They genuinely care about all of our customers' safety and success. Visit them online at www.JEIPerformance.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!.
(Gene Kaderabek Photo)
Bill W MediaMonroe, IAUSA[email protected]
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