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World Finals and 2008 Season Review for Hafertepe

Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car driver Sam Hafertepe Jr. out of Sunnyvale, TX took the team to The Dirt Track at Lowe’s for the VAULT World Finals this past weekend to cap of the 2008 Sophomore season with the Outlaws. Qualifying for both Friday and Saturday’s shows this past Thursday didn’t go as well as planned for Hafertepe as he set a 29th quick time for Friday’s show and a 33rd quick time for Saturday’s. Timing back in the field put the Fusion Energy Boost J&J at the back of the heat races both nights and with the fast throttle down racetrack it was hard for Hafertepe to make his way through the field to make the precious transfer positions. Sam had to run the Semi on Friday in which he started 10th and was still able to move up to 7th, but fell short of the transfer. With one provisional left, Sam started the Main at the tail end of the field and managed to pull out 22nd place finish on the fast non-passing racetrack. For Saturday, Sam started at the tail of the heat and raced up to seventh just 2 spots outside the transfer spot in which made the Semi next on the list. Sam raced up two spots in the Semi to finish out the night at tenth. By using the provisional on Friday, Sam unfortunately ended the night at that, not making the Main Event. “Qualifying where we did just put us behind the eight ball both nights”, explains Hafertepe. “The Fusion Energy Boost J&J was fast, but it just wasn’t our weekend.”

Sam finished out the season just outside the top 10 in points with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws and feels that overall the season was a huge success. Hafertepe explains, “We learned a lot this year and really have a lot to look forward to for ’09. We have a lot of work to do over the off-season, but I can’t wait to start out next season. A win this year with the Outlaws would have really topped off the season, but the way it went, I can’t complain one bit. Next year we are going to shoot for a top five in points and I know that win with the Outlaws is close!”

Sam and the gang will be heading to Cowtown Speedway in Cowtown, TX for the City Vending 2nd Annual November Sprint Shootout 360 race this coming weekend to finish out the year, so be sure to keep in tune with Sam and the Fusion Energy Boost J&J Chassis through the website www.sam15.com. Special Thanks to Fusion Energy Boost, GH Plumbing, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Smiley's Racing Products, Kear's Speed Shop, Wings Unlimited, Rocket Headers, J&J Chassis, Frankland Racing Supply, Torco Racing Fuels, Rod End Supply, Ameri-Tech Pest Control, Hoosier Tires, Penske Shocks and Driver Websites.

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