(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – SOMERTON, Ariz. (Nov. 17, 2014) – The 2014 season didn’t end as well as Sam Hafertepe Jr. had hoped.
He entered the final weekend within striking distance of his first career Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour championship. Unfortunately, bad pill draws and a lack of good luck were too much to overcome in the southwest.
“We had a long shot at the championship, but everything had to go right to put us in contention,” he said. “We didn’t get the most favorable pill draws and didn’t have our race car exactly how it needed to be to overcome that.”
Hafertepe Jr. started each of the final two nights of the season – last Friday and Saturday at Cocopah Speedway during the Cocopah Challenge Cup – on the outside of the fourth row of a heat race. He advanced from eighth to fifth place each night, which relegated him to a B Main both times.
Hafertepe Jr. won the consolation race on Friday to earn a transfer into the main event. However, a parts failure wouldn’t allow the car to rotate the corners on the slick track during the feature.
“You had to hit your marks on that surface and the car was pushing on the right rear as we entered the corners,” he said after finishing 21st. “It was pretty difficult to drive.”
Saturday didn’t fare much better for Hafertepe Jr., who finished third in a B Main to garner a transfer. He was unable to make up much ground during the 30-lap main event and he placed 20th to cap the season.
“Ideally you want to go out and win the final race of the season so you have some momentum heading into the offseason,” he said. “Only one person can do that though and we weren’t in contention for that opportunity. We’ll take what we learned and apply it the next time we face those conditions at Cocopah Speedway.”
Hafertepe Jr. finished fifth in the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour championship standings. He scored a series-leading four feature victories and he ranked fourth in top fives (14) and top 10s (25).
QUICK RESULTS –
Nov. 14 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 5 (8); B Main: 1 (1); Feature: 21 (17).
Nov. 15 – Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, Ariz. – Heat race: 5 (8); B Main: 3 (2); Feature: 20 (21).
SEASON STATS –
68 races, 6 wins, 24 top fives, 37 top 10s, 45 top 15s, 56 top 20s
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHafertepeJr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Hafertepe-Jr-and-The-Plumbfast-Racing-Team/116304711773031?ref=br_tf
VIDEO –
Here is a link to highlights of Hafertepe Jr. winning the ASCS Gulf South Region race at Heart O’Texas Speedway on June 6: http://youtu.be/QWG0RyKXyX8
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Keizer Aluminum Wheels
Keizer Aluminum Wheels has provided custom aluminum racing wheels for any type of racing application for several decades. For more information, visit http://www.KeizerWheels.com.
“I’ve been using Keizer Aluminum Wheels since 2004,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “They are like family to me and have been with me through the highs and the lows.”
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank LoneStar Speedway, 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 –
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 and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.