By Bill Wright
April 13, 2010 – An eighth and a third place finish last weekend put “The Rocket” Jesse Hockett in second place in the Lucas Oil ASCS National series standings, with a lot of season yet to go. The Warsaw, Missouri driver is just three points behind defending champion Shane Stewart. This week, Jesse will have the week off of the series and race closer to home, in Sedalia and at the Lake Ozark Speedway in his own Jesse Hockett Racing #77.
Friday night, the VKCC Motorsports #75 team ran with the ASCS series at the Lone Star Speedway near Kilgore, Texas. The heat race saw Jesse finish sixth after a start inside of row four. “We ended up in a not-so-good draw in a really tough heat race,” says Jesse. “That happens sometimes. It’s just part of it.”
Starting eighth in one of the B mains (there were 52 cars on hand) was not ideal, but Jesse was able to charge through and finish second, transferring to the main event. “We ran really well in the B,” he says. “It was good to get into a transfer spot to avoid taking the provisional.”
The momentum was carried into the feature and “The Rocket” launched quickly into the top ten. A one-lane racing surface took hold quickly though, impeding his progress towards the front. He would stall and finish in the eighth spot. “We did our passing early in the race,” he says. “About five or six laps in, it was rubber-down. No one was going anywhere at that point. We were good both nights though with the car.”
The second of those nights was Saturday, at the I-30 Speedway near Little Rock, Arkansas. The draw was a little better, but the competition was just as strong in the heat. “We had a tough heat again, but we drew better,” he says. “We were able to start fourth and run second to Matt Covington with Shane Stewart and Johnny Herrera right behind us.”
The 35-lap feature went non-stop. That is a rare feat on the tight red clay ¼ mile oval. Starting seventh, Jesse would race his way to a podium finish in third. “The redraw didn’t go the best,” he says. “We got going pretty well there. I think we were running as well as anyone. We actually made a run on the top two there. The track evened out at the very end, and we just couldn’t make up any ground on those guys.”
This week should be enjoyable for the team, with a lot less travel. It will be the first time out for the #77 machine in 2010. The car registered nine of the twenty-two feature wins in 2009. Friday night is the opener at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri, which will run weekly events on Fridays again. Saturday, Jesse will head over to the $3,000 to win Spring Nationals at the Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon.
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://JesseHockett.com!
Rocket Rambles
A betting man would be hard-pressed not to put their money on Jesse at the Lake Ozark Speedway Spring Nationals. He has won thirteen out of 32 career features there (41%). He has five wins in his last six showings there, and twelve of his wins have come in the last 23 main events he has run there. He was undefeated (4 for 4) in 2010 driving the #77 at LOS.
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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, Gary Stanton Mopar, 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!.