8/18/2015
Inside Line Promotions
Hafertepe Jr. Runs into Several Obstacles During Knoxville Nationals
(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 18, 2015) – Sam Hafertepe Jr. battled through several obstacles last week during the 55th annual FVP Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store at Knoxville Raceway.
Hafertepe, who piloted a sprint car for Hill’s Racing Team, got off to a rough start when a tire blew on the final lap during the 4th annual Capitani Classic a week ago Sunday. That sent his race car from a top-10 finish into the wall, which forced the team to use a backup car during the Knoxville Nationals.
“On Sunday at the Capitani we hurt our primary car and that put us behind the eight ball,” he said. “We went over everything, but didn’t realize going into Thursday night we hurt the primary motor as well. We didn’t realize it until qualifying was over.”
Hafertepe Jr. qualified 23rd quickest during his preliminary night, but the team elected to scratch for the remainder of the night because of the mechanical problem.
They returned to the half-mile oval on Friday when Hafertepe Jr. timed in 13th quickest in his group, which was only one position out of the heat race inversion.
“We were a little down on power and trying to figure out a new car as well,” he said. “We tried some things with the new car as well. I honestly probably could have got a better lap in during qualifying, but with only one lap you don’t want to mess up. We left a little on the table. In the heat race I got a really bad start and got shuffled back.”
Hafertepe Jr. ended ninth in a heat race to land in a B Main, where a runner-up result locked him into the feature.
“I felt really good in the B Main,” he said. “However, we were hurting for power to get the most out of the race car. The track was pretty good all night and it was hard to get through there.”
Hafertepe Jr. capped the night with a 19th-place result in the main event. That lined him up on the outside of the second row for Saturday’s C Main.
“We got shuffled back there early and I kept fighting on the bottom and pounding my marks,” he said. “I reeled the guys back in the last few laps. I got the final transfer on the last lap. However, we felt like we were hurting a motor so in the B Main we elected to take a lap and pull off so we didn’t hurt anything worse.”
Hafertepe Jr., who finished fourth in the C Main, was credited with a 22nd-place result in the B Main after exiting the track early.
He will return to action with car owner Keith Dobbs this weekend on Friday at Heart O’ Texas Speedway in Waco, Texas, with the ASCS Gulf South Region and Sunday at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo., for the High Roller Classic with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour.
“He gave me a good opportunity this year and stuck beside me even when I broke my arm,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “We went out last time and swept both nights. I’m excited to get back in his car. I feel like we have a good piece.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 13 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 23; Heat race: DNS (4); C Main: DNS (12).
Aug. 14 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 13; Heat race: 9 (5); B Main: 2 (2); Feature: 19 (22).
Aug. 15 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – C Main: 4 (4); B Main: 22 (24).
SEASON STATS –
28 races, 2 wins, 3 top fives, 5 top 10s, 10 top 15s, 14 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at Heart O’ Texas Speedway in Waco, Texas, with the ASCS Gulf South Region and Sunday at Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo., for the High Roller Classic with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHafertepeJr
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Lone Star Speedway
A high-banked, 3/8-mile oval located in Kilgore, Texas, Lone Star Speedway was reopened in 2009 by the Hafertepe family. For more information, visit http://www.LoneStarSpeedway.com.
“Lone Star Speedway is owned by a racing family who wants to make it into a premier facility in the country,” Hafertepe Jr. said.
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping, Wells Racing Engines, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Smiley’s Racing Products, Fisher Racing Engines, J&J Auto Racing, Pro Shocks by OC Shocks, Fire-Down Graphics, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Vortex Wings, Kear’s Speed Shop, Pancho’s Racing Products, GPC, Joe Gibbs Racing Oils, Zemco Headers and Simpson Racing Products for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
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Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller