11/11/2015
Inside Line Promotions
Hafertepe Jr. Overcomes Significant Injury to End 2015 on Strong Note
(Photo by Thriller Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – SUNNYVALE, Texas (Nov. 11, 2015) – Sam Hafertepe Jr. will define the 2015 season by the way he came back from the most horrific injury of his career.
Hafertepe Jr. sustained a broken right arm on May 1 and the injury sidelined him for nearly three months. However, Hafertepe Jr. returned to the track in impressive fashion by winning his first two races back and recording six feature triumphs in his final 23 races of the year.
“To be sat down for three months, it was a pretty tough time,” he said. “You’re not getting to race, not earning any money. On top of all that it makes you think about a lot of things and the direction your career is going and the direction your life is going. It opens you up that you’re not invincible.”
The strong recovery, which began with a partnership with car owner Keith Dobbs, was highlighted by an ASCS Red River Region leading five feature triumphs, including a co-sanctioned race with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour during the Winter Nationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, and an ASCS Gulf South Region victory.
“Keith was thinking we’d run some regional shows here and there, just keep it low key,” he said. “Then we started knocking off wins left and right and it grew from there. He wanted to race more and I wanted to race more. It was a great opportunity and I can’t thank him enough for the support.”
Hafertepe Jr. ended the season by scoring 12 top-10 finishes in his final 15 races. He is hopeful that momentum will continue as the team opens the 2016 season at the 2nd annual Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown Jan. 1-2, Jan. 5 and Jan. 8-9 at Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz.
“I felt like we were just starting to get going since my season started halfway through the year,” he said. “We were rolling really good and I hate to see the season end when it did. Hopefully we can hang on to this speed we had and keep on using it next year. I feel like the sky is the limit. We need some help sponsorship-wise to run on a national level next year. We want to run some 410 stuff and 360 stuff. We just need help to get us to the next step, but I know we can win anywhere we race.”
SEASON STATS –
43 races, 6 wins, 11 top fives, 17 top 10s, 22 top 15s, 26 top 20s
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHafertepeJr
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Wells Racing Engines
Wells Racing Engines Founder Dennis Wells has been building performance engines for circle track, drag race, boats and street since 1968. For more information, visit http://www.WellsRacing.com.
“Dennis Wells has been in business for a long time and is a leading engine builder in the 360 ranks,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “He helps our team out quite a bit.”
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Lonestar Speedway, Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping, 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 –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
Article Credit: Inside Line Promotions
Submitted By: Shawn Miller