Jesse Hockett I-30 Speedway summary

Hockett finishes strong at Little Rock; looks to 2003,

Warsaw, Missouri college student Jesse Hockett finished off his best season to date with a 15th place finish in the $15,000-to-win Short Track Nationals finale at the I-30 Speedway that also featured World of Outlaws regulars, ASCS National Tour regulars as well as some of the best 410 and 360 drivers from around the country. Hockett qualified his Tom Vankeirsbilck number 75 into the feature event by winning his qualifying heat race and earning enough passing points to make the field.

"We were pleased with our performance, but I would have liked to have stayed in the top ten like we were early in the feature, but making the feature was an accomplishment I am so proud of this team. We came from running 360's at the beginning of the year, to winning 410 races and running with the best at the end," Hockett said.

2002 saw Hockett pick up feature wins in the 360 division at Double X Speedway in Calfornia, Missouri, and 410 wins at the US 36 Speedway in Osborn, Missouri and the Savannah Speedway in Savannah, Missouri. However, another highlight was when the youngster set second quick time against the traveling Non Wing World Championship tour at the Lakeside Speedway in his first weekend in a non-wing Sprint Car.

For the 2003 season, the Vankeirsbilck team has purchased a new truck and hauler as well as new equipment and will be utlilizing Wesmar Engines and a Maxim Chassis. We will primarily be running at US36 and Knoxville as well as any of the local World of Outlaws or All Stars races in the midwest," Hockett said.

-jhr-