4/20/2010
Sprint Source
Rocket Hockett – Two Top Fives in JHR #77!
(Bill W) April 20, 2010 – “The Rocket” Jesse Hockett was looking for some wins close to home last weekend, in his first outings with the Jesse Hockett Racing #77 machine at Sedalia and Lake Ozark Speedway. He would settle for a pair of top fives, and will head for West Memphis, Arkansas this weekend to pilot the VKCC Motorsports #75 in the “Rock and Roll 50”.
Weekly racing is back on Fridays at the State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Missouri. A heavy track surface awaited and a draw in the back of the heat didn’t hamper Jesse. "It was a tough weekend in that we took what we could get,” he says looking back. “We were able to win the heat at Sedalia after starting sixth though."
Garnering the most passing points didn’t help much on this night. "We were the high point car, so we started outside row three,” says Jesse. “From there, we just kind of held on, to be honest. We tried a couple of moves, but it was hard to pass. We just ended up fourth. The track was pretty good and fast for everyone."
The event had to be cut back five laps because of curfew. "It was their first night, so that is understandable,” says Jesse. “I'm glad they are back running weekly. I enjoy running around home in front of the fans. It will be good to have that option when we're not running somewhere out of state."
The Spring Nationals at Lake Ozark Speedway near Eldon were next up, and the Warsaw driver had his sights set on the $3,000 top prize. He may have thought too much about setup in the heat. "We drew bad again, but ended up running third,” he says. “We made a gear change right before the heat, because we saw the bottom coming in the first couple of heats. I think I made the wrong decision. Once we got wound up, I didn't have the momentum to run down there. The track widened out once we got out there."
Running third set up a run from row six in the feature. Setup was again a problem. "That put us out of the redraw, and we started 11th,” says Jesse. “We were just way too tight. With the caliber of cars there, that was a bad deal. There was a restart early, and we got put back a couple spots I didn't think we were supposed to be. The car was just too tight to run the cushion like we wanted to, and not tight enough to run on the bottom."
It looked like a fifth place finish was the best he could muster, but a late melee eliminated the top two runners, Kyle Hirst and Jason Johnson. Jesse was third at the checkers. "We just made too many mistakes,” he says of his run. “We weren't a third place car to be honest, we just caught a break when the top two wrecked out. I felt really bad for Kyle. He's running out of our shop, and he was running well. He really needed a win."
The Riverside International Speedway, affectionately known as the ditch, will play host to the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series this weekend. "We did pretty well there last year, and Tony Bruce Jr. does a good job with that race,” says Jesse. “We’re really looking forward to it, and it would be nice to come out with that guitar (trophy) hanging on the wall."
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://JesseHockett.com!
Rocket Rambles
Jesse posted two top five finishes in last year’s “Rock and Roll 50” at “The Ditch”. He was third behind Tim Crawley and Travis Rilat in the prelim, and finished fifth behind Crawley, Tony Bruce Jr., Justin Sturch and Gary Wright in the finale.
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Rocket Hockett
“Rocket Hockett” is an up close look at the past, present and future of Jesse Hockett. To receive "Rockett Hockett", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Hockett" in the subject line.
Jesse would like to thank the partners of the VKCC Motorsports #75 and the JHR #77 teams including Parker Store of Phoenix, Rod End Supply, M&W Aluminum Products, A.R.T. Speed Equipment, Don Ott Racing Engines, Gary Stanton Mopar, Vortex Wings, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Diversified Machine, Inc., Fischer Body Shop, Simpson, SWE, Maxwell Shock Dynos, Hoosier, Conroy Bleeders, ARP Fasteners, Indy Race Parts, Massey’s Truck and Tank Repair, RMS Racing Engines, Pro Powder Coating, Korte Transportation, Rocket Graphics, Lucas Oil, Engler, Weld Racing, Spike Products, Maxwell, Red Onion Lounge, Engler, Barnes Dry Sump Oil Systems, FSR Racing Products, Canyon Apparel, JEI, Total Seal Piston Rings and JE Pistons for all their help!.
[i photo: Jesse at Lake Ozark Speedway (Patrick Grant- www.OpenWheel.org Photo)]
Submitted By: Bill Wright
