By Bill W, phot by Jimmy Jones
March 23, 2010 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway has not been kind over the years to “The Rocket” Jesse Hockett. In particular, the opener for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series in 2009 saw him miss the feature event on both nights. Last Friday was different, as the Warsaw, Missouri driver took the VKCC Motorsports #75 to a seventh place finish.
The ASCS opener came with 63 cars in the pits. It was deemed a one-night affair on Friday, with forecasts for the Dallas area showing rain for Saturday. Jesse drew towards the middle of the pack, and started fifth in a heat race in which he would run third. “It was just really hard to pass on,” he says of the heavy surface on the famous ½ mile oval. “We were o.k. in the heat. I should have had one more spot there. That would have put us in the redraw. The yellow just came out at the wrong time.”
Sometimes cautions are well timed, but this one was not. “On the restart, it was just a one-lane track,” says Jesse. “We were just one spot out of the redraw again. That killed us.”
The finish may have knocked him out of the redraw, but at least he wasn’t one of the 47 cars headed to a B main. His start would be outside of row six. “The feature was pretty tough,” says Jesse. “We weren’t catching any breaks in traffic which made it hard to move forward.”
Jesse struggled a bit at times, but ended up in the seventh spot, though he felt he was faster than that position. “We were really tight to start out, and the car started getting better,” he says. “By the end, we were just as fast as the top five, but we’d already lost a few spots.”
It was a far cry from last year’s failure to even run a main event, and a much better start to his quest for a Lucas Oil ASCS National championship. “It was definitely a better start to our season than last year,” says Jesse. “The Devil’s Bowl seems to be one of my worst tracks, especially with that many cars. It could have been a lot worse.”
Back in Warsaw, the team is planning their next move. “We’ll go to Eldora for sure on April 2 and 3 to run with USAC,” says Jesse. “We may take the Jesse Hockett Racing #77 out this weekend and run. We’ll just have to see.”
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://JesseHockett.com!
Rocket Rambles
Despite his troubles at Devil’s Bowl, Jesse has recorded two top fives there in eight feature starts. His best finish was a third in ASCS competition in June of 2006. He finished behind Kevin Ramey and Gary Wright, and ahead of Nick Smith and Danny Jennings that night.
Partner Spotlight – Rod End Supply
Jesse says, “Bob Douglas at Rod End Supply has been one of my biggest supporters since I started racing. I feel they are the best out there as far as holding together.”
Whether your running a go-cart, micro, mini-sprint, midget, modified, late model, sprint or a tractor, Rod End Supply has the assortment of rod ends, radius rods, and specialty products that will help you lead the field in performing at your maximum potential. At Rod End Supply, “They don’t just sell ‘em, they race ‘em! Visit them on the web at www.RodEndSupply.com or call 1-800-284-2902 today!
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 sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with “Hockett” in the subject line.
Jesse would like to thank the partners of the VKCC Motorsports #75 and the JHR #77 teams including Parker Store of Phoenix, Rod End Supply, M&W Aluminum Products, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Don Ott Racing Engines, Vortex Wings, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Diversified Machine, Inc., Fischer Body Shop, Simpson, SWE, Maxwell Shock Dynos, 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, Engler, Weld Racing, Spike Products, Maxwell, Red Onion Lounge, Engler, Barnes Dry Sump Oil Systems, FSR Racing Products, Canyon Apparel, JEI, Total Seal Piston Rings and JE Pistons for all their help!.