1/12/2016
Inside Line Promotions
Hafertepe Jr. Prepared for Chili Bowl Challenge Following Frustrating Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown
(Photo by Thriller Photography)
Inside Line Promotions – SOMERTON, Ariz. (Jan. 12, 2016) – Sam Hafertepe Jr. is excited for a fresh challenge after a frustrating start to the 2016 season in the desert.
Hafertepe Jr. will race his midget this week at the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., where he will compete on Tuesday for preliminary action and on Saturday for the finale.
“We certainly didn’t have the start to the year that we wanted, but it’s still early,” he said. “It’s always fun to head to Tulsa for the Chili Bowl. It’s one of the biggest challenges we face all year so I’m looking forward to it.”
Hafertepe Jr. and sprint car owner Keith Dobbs kicked off the year on Jan. 1 at Cocopah Speedway for the 2nd annual Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown. The duo placed sixth in a heat race and fifth in a qualifier, which relegated them to a B Main.
“We just missed it by one spot in the B Main,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “We learned some things that we applied to the rest of our time at the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown and that will help the rest of our season.”
Hafertepe Jr. placed fifth in the consolation race to miss a transfer by only one position.
He returned to the 3/8-mile oval the ensuing night when he ran fifth in a heat race and fourth in a qualifier. Hafertepe Jr. won a B Main to transfer into the 30-lap feature, but he was unable to finish the main event because of a mechanical problem.
The team tackled Cocopah Speedway last Wednesday for Round 3 of the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown, which began with Hafertepe Jr. advancing from eighth to sixth place in a heat race. He then won a qualifier and lined up on the inside of the second row for a B Main.
“We didn’t get the best start and lost a couple of positions,” he said. “We got back up to fifth, but I just couldn’t get around the last transfer guy and we missed the feature by one spot again.”
Unfortunately, luck didn’t get any better for Hafertepe Jr. on Friday as a mechanical problem hammered the team while he was leading a heat race. That ended the night and weekend early.
“We finally drew a good pill and put ourselves in a good position by leading that heat race, but problems are going to happen in racing,” he said. “The timing of it was unfortunate, but we’ll just move on to the Chili Bowl and hope for a little better luck this week.”
QUICK RESULTS –
Jan. 1 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 6 (5); Qualifier: 5 (1); B Main: 5 (6).
Jan. 2 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 5 (6); Qualifier: 4 (2); B Main: 1 (3); Feature: 24 (17).
Jan. 6 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 6 (8); Qualifier: 1 (1); B Main: 5 (3).
Jan. 8 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: DNF (1); Qualifier: DNS (9); B Main: DNS (13).
SEASON STATS –
4 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 0 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Tuesday and Saturday at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., for the 30th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Presented by General Tire
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHafertepeJr
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping
Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping is a residential landscaping business based in New Oxford, Pa.
“They are really good friends of ours who have been around for quite a while,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “We’ve always really appreciated their support.”
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank Lonestar Speedway, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, 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, Champion Brand, 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