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MESQUITE, Texas (Oct. 21, 2013) – The 26th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires is finally here for Sam Hafertepe Jr.
The Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event, which runs Wednesday through Saturday at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., offers a hefty payday of $15,000 to win. It’s also a title that Hafertepe Jr. nearly garnered in 2010 – his best year at the premier event.
Hafertepe Jr. won his preliminary night, which locked him into one of the top six starting positions for the finale, and he ended with a runner-up performance on that Saturday.
“In all honesty, the way the track has been the past two years, you really need those first six starting spots for Saturday night,” he said. “I think qualifying days are the most important. You can make it through the B Main on Saturday, but it makes it real hard to win that race.”
Hafertepe Jr. will compete on Wednesday night to get a feel for his car before his qualifying night, which is Friday.
“We’re going to go there Wednesday to shake the car down and see where we’re at,” he said. “We’ll go out Friday with however we have our car and see if we can’t make some small improvements if we need any.”
Hafertepe Jr. is coming off a frustrating end to the 40th annual Winter Nationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway last weekend. After Friday night was rained out for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event, Hafertepe Jr. rebounded from a rough start to place third in his heat race on Saturday.
“I fell back pretty early,” he said. “I just didn’t have a good hold on it. We had a caution and I started running the bottom. We got going pretty decent at the end of it.”
He then started and finished second in a B Main, which earned him a transfer to the main event. However, after starting 20th, Hafertepe Jr. got into the wall and sustained damage that ultimately sent him to the pits early with a 21st-place result.
“In the A Main we probably got around three cars on the start,” he said. “I hit the wall coming off of turn four one lap and hurt the left rear shock when I did that. With the broke shock we couldn’t get going.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Oct. 19 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas – Heat race: 3 (4); B Main: 2 (2); Feature: 21 (20).
SEASON STATS –
67 races, 4 wins, 11 top fives, 25 top 10s, 35 top 15s, 40 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., for the 26th Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
APPAREL –
Hafertepe Jr. has t-shirts for sale at his race trailer at every race this year. For his schedule, visit http://www.Sam15.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Lone Star Speedway
A high-banked, 3/8-mile oval located in Kilgore, Texas, Lone Star Speedway was reopened in 2009 by the Hafertepe family. For more information, visit http://www.LoneStarSpeedway.
“Lone Star Speedway is owned by a racing family who wants to make it into a premier facility in the country,” Hafertepe Jr. said.
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Smiley’s Racing Products, Fisher Racing Engines, J&J Auto Racing, Pro Shocks by OC Shocks, Fire-Down Graphics, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Vortex Wings, Kear’s Speed Shop, Pancho’s Racing Products, GPC, Joe Gibbs Racing Oils, Zemco Headers, Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping and Simpson Racing Products for their continued support.