---

West Coast Re-Cap Hafertepe

World of Outlaw driver Sam Hafertepe Jr. out of Sunnyvale, TX travels from the north country of Minnesota southwest to New Mexico to make the final West Coast swing with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws. The scheduled double header at Hollywood Hills Speedway in San Felipe Pueblo, NM was shortened one day due to rain, but on the second night, Hafertepe started out by setting a 10th quick time in the Fusion Energy Boost J&J out of the 40 other competitors for the evening. Starting on the front row of the Heat Race, Sam quickly moved into the number one spot and led it until the end putting him into the Crane Cams Dash. Hafertepe led the field into the first turn until he spun creating a re-start at the tail end of the field. Sam ended up 10th which put him on the outside of the fifth row for the start of the Feature Event. Falling back just a few spots throughout the dry slick 30 lap contest, Hafertepe ended up at 14th to cap off the evening. Next up on the schedule was Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, California. Hafertepe went out to qualify and ended up blowing out a rear end which did not allow the Fusion Energy Boost J&J a time for the evening. Sam then had to start in the back throughout the evening and moved up through the field in the ‘C’ Main, but was not able to make the transfer and a Provisional Start was needed. Hafertepe began the 40 lad endeavor in the 27th position and was able to race up to the 21st spot to end the night in Watsonville.

Following Watsonville, it was off to a familiar track in Tulare, CA. This was the night for Hafertepe and the Fusion Energy Boost J&J, Sam came into the night knowing that he had always ran pretty strong here and he knew that a high finish was soon to be had. Hafertepe qualified in the top ten just 4 tenths off the leader which lined him up on the outside of the front row for the Heat Race. Setting the pace early for the evening in Tulare, Sam charged to the front in the Heat and came out on top. This put Hafertepe and the Fusion Energy Boost J&J on the second row of the Crane Cams Dash for the attempt for that pole position starting spot of the Main. Sam finished fourth in the Dash which lined him up on the outside of the second row for the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Main Event. Hafertepe jumped to third at the start of the Main and retrieved his 3rd podium finish with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws. “We came out of here with a third-place finish, but we definitely had the car to win the race”, explains Hafertepe. “We’ll learn from our mistakes and go into Topeka ‘full throttle’. It was nice to bounce back from the night before and get the Fusion Energy Boost J&J back into that top three.”

Next up for Hafertepe will be a stop at Heartland Park in Topeka, KS followed by the World Finals season finale in Concord, NC. Be sure to keep up to date with the second year Outlaw driver through his website www.sam15.com for all the weekly results and press releases. Special Thanks to Fusion Energy Boost, GH Plumbing, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Smiley's Racing Products, Kear's Speed Shop, Wings Unlimited, Rocket Headers, J&J Chassis, Frankland Racing Supply, Torco Racing Fuels, Rod End Supply, Ameri-Tech Pest Control, Hoosier Tires, Penske Shocks and Driver Websites.

Back to News