10/22/2020
Sam Hafertepe Jr
Hafertepe Caps Fifth Lucas Oil ASCS National Championship With Devil’s Bowl Prelim Win
(Image Credit: Bobby DrRock Thomas)
Bryan Hulbert – MESQUITE, Texas (October 22, 2020) Reaching double-digit wins for the fifth year in a row via victory on Night 1 of the Devil’s Bowl Winter Nationals, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. wrapped up his fifth consecutive championship with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network.
Completing the weekend with another podium run Saturday night at the famed half-mile, Hafertepe reflected on the weekend by saying, “I thought we had good speed all weekend, especially the first night. Saturday, we kind of missed the set up a little bit in the Feature. The track had been so good all night, and I knew it would go away eventually, but it was going away right as we pulled out; but even with not having the car exactly where we needed it, I still feel like we had a car that could have won. I just showed my nose too early, and once I showed the bottom, Roger saw it and took the line.
Joining the late Jason Johnson as the only other driver to win five championships with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, Sam was able to set himself apart by earning those titles consecutively.
Looking into those five titles, the first two were earned with car owner Keith Dobbs. A fairly low budget team, the wins, and titles were primarily earned with whatever Sam was able to earn on the track. Teaming with Hills Racing in 2018, that same drive that kept the No. 15h afloat before did not waiver as Sam still sought to make the program run with what he could provide behind the wheel.
“It means a lot to be able to pull off a championship, much less five. I don’t know really how to put it into terms, but I know being able to win like this five times in a row doesn’t happen very often in this sport, or any for that matter, plus doing it with two different teams, but even with that and different crew guys, we’ve been able to keep the core of the team strong and that played a lot to our success,” explained Hafertepe.
“With the five championships, we feel like we’ve accomplished what we needed to. We’ve won Dirt Cup, Short Track, the Hockett, so I feel like we’ve gotten over the hill and proven ourselves to where we can pursue other challenges and create that next goal.”
Looking to see where and if the next race will be in the 2020 season, the team will take time this weekend to rebuild and regroup for their next outing.
For continued updates on Sam Hafertepe, Jr., log onto http://www.sam15.com and make sure to find him on Twitter (@samhafertepejr). For news on Hill's Racing Team, log onto https://www.facebook.com/hillsracing/ and on Twitter (@HillsRacingTeam).
2020 Season to Date:
Events: 58; Wins -10; Top 5 – 18; Top 10 – 29; Top 20 – 36;
Coming Up:
Next Race: TBA
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011628097506
Website: http://www.sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/samhafertepejr
The Sponsors:
Hill's Racing Team, Townline Variety, Heidbreder Foundation Service, Kiebler & Sons Lawn, and Landscaping, Fisher Racing Engines, Super Shox, J&J Chassis, Smiley's Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Huggins Cams, Champion Oil, The Sparks Family, Lonestar Speedway, Keizer Wheels, XYZ Machining, Simpson Racing Products, CP-Carrillo, KSE Power Steering, FK Rod Ends, BMRS, Allstar Performance, Saldana Racing Products, Vortex Wings, DMI, Wilwood Brakes, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Hwy. 79 Collision.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert