Sam Hafertepe Jr

Despite difficult pill draws, Sam Hafertepe Jr. captured a pair of top 10s during Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour action last weekend.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. is an optimist and it shows following the Texas Outlaw Nationals at his home track.

Hafertepe Jr. had one of the fastest cars – if not the fastest – during the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series doubleheader last weekend at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, which is only a few minutes from Hafertepe Jr.’s shop. Unfortunately, an incident on the opening lap of the feature both nights hampered his results.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. posted his third consecutive top five last Saturday at I-30 Speedway.

Hafertepe Jr. charged from 16th to a fifth-place result during the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour event at the bullring, which keeps him in third place in the championship standings – only 12 points out of the lead.

Despite a bumpy night last Saturday, Sam Hafertepe Jr. is appreciative of the opportunity to race at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

The trip west for Sam Hafertepe Jr. was anything but lucky.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. was never more excited to leave the state of Florida than after last weekend.

His season-opening, three-week trip to “The Sunshine State” was capped by a frustrating weekend at East Bay Raceway Park for the 38th annual Winter Nationals featuring the 13th annual Ronald Laney Memorial.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. has been greeted with sun after a long haul to Florida this week.

“It’s really nice down here,” he said. “I think it’s about 75 degrees.”

Although the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire didn’t end the way Sam Hafertepe Jr. envisioned, he took several valuable lessons from his performance during the premier midget event last weekend at Tulsa Expo Raceway.

Everything started to come together for another solid Short Track Nationals appearance by Sam Hafertepe Jr. until a competitor got overzealous.