6/6/2017
ASCS
Hafertepe Leads The Way Into Lucas Oil ASCS National Speedweek
(Image Credit: John Lee)
TULSA, Okla. (June 5, 2017) Ten ASCS sanctioned races and seven wins to go along with all other finishes inside the top-five, it’s safe to say that Sam Hafertepe, Jr. is on a roll this season.
Up next is the Lucas Oil ASCS National Speedweek. A test for teams, both mentally and physically. In most cases, Speedweek sets the tone for the rest of the season. Getting in a hole, or a slump, during this stretch is something that can be hard to get out of. Going into the stretch, Sam holds some breathing room with a 141 point advantage over Johnny Herrera, and 175 over Wayne Johnson. For Hafertepe, Speedweek one year ago laid the groundwork for what would eventually be a National Tour Championship.
This year, Speedweek consists of seven races over nine days with stops in Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri and kicks off on Friday, June 9 at West Texas Raceway in Lubbock, followed by Route 66 Motor Speedway in Amarillo the following day.
“Going into Speedweek, we feel really good about our program,” commented the defending series champion who has wins at five of the seven stops over the past two seasons.
“A few of the tracks on Speedweek we haven’t been to in a while. Lubbock is one of those, so I’m not sure what to expect there but we won Amarillo last year and I feel pretty confident we can win again. Devil’s Bowl on Tuesday is always a good track for us, especially with three wins there already this year, then Lawton where we just won,” explained Sam.
“You know Creek County, we won there last year but we still feel like that’s a track we need to work at. Just the way it is, my track record isn’t that great.”
New for Hafertepe this year is Randolph County Raceway. Despite having never turned a lap at the high-banked oval, Sam is still confident in what he’s seen of the track.
“Moberly looks like a track we can do really well at. It looks like a place that fits my style, so I’m excited about that. Finally, with Lucas Oil [Speedway], we won the finale there last year and always seem to have a pretty decent car.”
On his view of the week, and beyond with the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup just days after the finale of the Speedweek in Alger, Washington, Sam explained, “We’ve got a lot of good notes from last year and it seem like we’re better the second time around with some of the places we’ve been this year and with going to Skagit right after, expect nothing less than what we did last year.”
Friday, June 9 at West Texas Raceway will get underway at 8:00 P.M. (CDT) with Hot Laps. West Texas Raceway in Lubbock, Texas is located at 12503 Highway 87. Admission for this weekend is $20 for adult with kids age four and under free into the grandstands. More information, including directions can be found at http://www.westtexasraceway.com.
Saturday, June 10 at Route 66 Motor Speedway begins at 7:00 P.M. (CDT). Route 66 Motor Speedway is located at 4101 TX-335 Loop. Admission for this weekend is $20 for adult with kids age four and under free into the grandstands. More information, including directions can be found on the track’s Facebook page.
Updates on Sam Hafertepe, Jr. can be found online at http://www.ascsracing.com as well as Sam’s website at http://www.sam15.com.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert