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Hafertepe Earns Top 10 in Pennsylvania Debut for Z

Sam Hafertepe Jr. and The Zemco Racing Team competed locally for the first time in 2012 this past Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway and were able to earn a top 10 finish at The Tommy Hinnershitz Memorial.

Sam’s return to The Zemco Maxim-Rider combination following several weeks competing at home yielded instant results as Sam was fastest in his warm-up session and then laid down the 2nd fastest lap in time trials.

“I was pretty pleased with our time trial,” said Sam. “I felt like the car was a little tight but we ran a little different line in turns 3 and 4 and that helped us pick up some time that maybe some other guys left on the table.”

Hafertepe lined up 5th for his heat but dropped back to 7th in the opening laps before the Sunnyvale, Texas native was able to work his way back into the 5th and final transfer position. Following the heat it became apparent why the team had struggled.

“I ran the heat race with no brakes,” explained Sam. “I nearly busted my ass in turns 1 and 2 late in the heat and you really needed the brakes no matter if you were running the top or bottom so we struggled pretty badly there but we got through.”

Sam slotted into the 7th position for the start of the A Main and held his own during the opening laps but it soon became apparent that the car was not to Hafertepe’s liking.

“It was hard to gauge where we were in the heat due to the lack of brakes,” explained Sam. “It felt like the car was fairly free so we tightened it up in the heat and just went too far. The car was a handful to drive, especially during the early laps.”

Hafertepe dropped as low as 11th when a late race red flag allowed the opportunity to work on the car.

“Tommy (Carl) made some changes and we definitely went in the right direction,” said Sam.

On the restart Sam was able to work his way past Justin Henderson and back into the top 10. The final laps saw Hafertepe try to reel in Alan Krimes for 9th but the 2007 Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year ultimately had to settle for 10th.

“All things considered it wasn’t too bad of a run”, said Sam. “We definitely learned some things and we are going to try a few more things this upcoming weekend with The All Stars. We have got a 3 race weekend coming up with them and I’m really looking forward to spending the week in Tower City and putting in the work required to put this car up front where it belongs.”

Sam and The Zemco Racing Team would like to thank the following supporters: Zemco Speed Equipment, Zemco Headers, Zemco Tool & Die, Recchione Auto Body, Rider Racing Engines, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt, BMRS, Maxim Chassis, Moose Blocks, Arts Radiator, DMI, Spectro Oils, All Pro Heads, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Simpson, Smith Precision Products, MPD, Jakes Golf Carts, Raace Foundation, Baps, CMC, Wings Unlimited and Kelly Racing Fuels

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