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Hafertepe and McClelland Team Up for 360 Nationals
Long-time competitors and friends Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Sean McClelland have decided to join forces in an attempt to capture the 2012 Knoxville 360 Nationals. McClelland who has been a standout on both the National and Regional ASCS levels and is the defending OCRS champion will field a car for Hafertepe as the duo tries to find success at the famed Knoxville Raceway.
McClelland has already picked up 3 victories this year in his Penske Racing Shocks, Maxwell Oil, Lawton Auto Parts, Lightning Wings, XXX chassis in just a few winged 360 starts and is looking to build on that success as he puts Hafertepe behind the wheel of his potent #1.
"I'm really looking forward to having Sam drive the car in the 360 Nationals," stated Sean. "I've always enjoyed racing at Knoxville and with Sam in the car I really believe we can contend for the win."
For Hafertepe driving The SMR #1 is an opportunity to return to his roots.
"I spent most of the formative years of my career going wheel to wheel with Sean at National and Regional ASCS races," explained Sam. "Sean was one of the top racers when I was growing up and he won the 2005 Sooner Region title. In 2006 I followed the region full-time and we had one heck of a battle all of the way down to the final race and I was fortunate enough to just edge him and Kevin Ramey for the title. To be able to race with Sean like that and still have such a strong friendship to this day is very special to me."
While their racing paths separated the pair the duo has still been able to race together as team members.
"During the 2008 season I was out on the road and I was still pretty new to The Outlaw deal," recalled Sam. "Early in the year I was low on crew and we flew in Sean to help us at a few races. We were able to score a 3rd place finish at Virginia Motor Speedway which at the time was by far my best Outlaw result. Every now and then if we're both in the same area we still try to help each other when we can and earlier this year Sean came with us to help out at a regular Knoxville show. Hopefully I can repay Sean by putting his car up front at The 360 Nationals."
Armed for the race with a XXX chassis and a potent Fisher Racing Engine between the frame rails, Hafertepe certainly has to be considered a contender for the prestigious victory.
"We've been pretty decent in the past in this race," said Sam. "In 2009 we came from 7th to 3rd and blew a tire with 3 laps to go. Last year we made the A solidly but just didn't quite get the result we wanted (11th). I know that this year Sean is going to work his butt off and is going to have this car set on kill when we get to Knoxville and it's just going to be up to me to make good decisions in the car and put ourselves in a position to win."
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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