9/23/2020
Sam Hafertepe Jr
Hafertepe Makes It Eight Wins In 2020 With Hockett/McMillin Triumph
(Image Credit: Terry Ford)
Bryan Hulbert – WHEATLAND, Mo. (September 23, 2020) Landing his third career Hockett/McMillin Memorial triumph this past weekend with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. brought his overall win total to eight on the season.
Locking into the 40-lap, $10,000 to win event through his Thursday and Friday performances, Hafertepe ran inside the top three the entirety of the race. Challenging Mark Smith on Lap 14, just as a red flag was called for, Hafertepe did not get another look at the lead until the final three laps.
"I honestly didn't feel like there was anything we could do to win the race," stated Hafertepe.
"They [Mark Smith and Derek Hagar] were both quite a bit better than us early on, and the only reason I got by them at all the beginning was when they missed their line, and even late, the middle wasn't working at all for me, so I had to be on the top. About the only way I figured we were going to beat them at that point was if they started racing each other, and when they didn't, we just kept on the cushion."
Under caution with eight laps to go, the restart saw Sam raced around Smith for second on Lap 36. Making up time on Hagar over the next two laps, the No. 9jr slipped over the cushion as Hafertepe setup the slide on Lap 38.
From there, Sam was able to pull to a 1.001-second advantage.
On the final restart, Sam explained, "It looked like they both pulled off the top a little bit in one a two mainly. I never did, and we started really gaining on them. It was just a couple laps, and we got to Mark, then we were right on Hagar, sliding him. I just know we were buried in the curb, and the run was long enough that I was able to get in a good rhythm where it worked out."
Looking at Sam's next outing, the team will be off this weekend in preparation for the COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires. The $10,041 to win affair takes place at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3.
For continued updates on Sam Hafertepe, Jr., log onto http://www.sam15.com and make sure to find him on Twitter (@samhafertepejr). For news on Hill's Racing Team, log onto https://www.facebook.com/hillsracing/ and on Twitter (@HillsRacingTeam).
2020 Season to Date:
Events: 54; Wins -8; Top 5 – 15; Top 10 – 26; Top 20 – 33;
Coming Up:
October 2-3 – I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, Ark.) w/Lucas Oil ASCS National
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011628097506
Website: http://www.sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samhafertepejr
The Sponsors:
Hill's Racing Team, Townline Variety, Heidbreder Foundation Service, Kiebler & Sons Lawn, and Landscaping, Fisher Racing Engines, Super Shox, J&J Chassis, Smiley's Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Huggins Cams, Champion Oil, The Sparks Family, Lonestar Speedway, Keizer Wheels, XYZ Machining, Simpson Racing Products, CP-Carrillo, KSE Power Steering, FK Rod Ends, BMRS, Allstar Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Vortex Wings, DMI, Wilwood Brakes, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Hwy. 79 Collision.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert