7/11/2018
Sam Hafertepe Jr
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Caps Grizzly Nationals With Podium Run
(Image Credit: Malcolm White)
Bryan Hulbert – BELGRADE, Mont. (July 11, 2018) An up and down weekend for Sam Hafertepe, Jr., the Kiebler & Sons Lawn and Landscaping/Hills Racing No. 15h ended on a high note with a third-place finish in Saturday’s finale of the third annual Grizzly Nationals at Gallatin Speedway with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com.
While the weekend ended on the podium, Friday’s opener looked like victory was in hand, only to have the right rear time come apart with 21 laps complete. Having put nearly half the field a lap down before that point, the team was able to get Sam back on the track where he was able to salvage a ninth-place finish.
“Rubber laid down, and we salvaged what we could despite blowing the tire,” stated Sam, who commented that the tire was worn, but appeared as if something may have helped in its failure.
“It was worn, but Johnny [Herrera] had actually blown a tire before us and I went and looked at his as well since we lost tires pretty early compared to everyone else, and we had the same situation where it looked like something cut the tires, but it is what it is, and we moved onto the next night.”
On to the next night indeed, Sam ripped through the field form 10th in a matter of laps to crack the top-five. Able to make to third, the car was good, but not great in the latter half of the race as a pin had worked out of the Jacobs Ladder.
“We were good early but didn’t realize the ladder pin had fallen out. When it did, it played a lot in how the car handled the last half of the race, plus the rubber started laying down so that also played a factor, but we salvaged what we could and had a good finish.”
Next on the schedule is Gillette Thunder Speedway in Gillette, Wy. on Wednesday, July 11.
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).
2018 Season to Date:
Events: 36; Wins -8 ; Top 5 - 20; Top 10 - 22; Top 15 –26; Top 20 –27;
***Coming Up: Gillette Thunder Showdown
July 11, 2018, at Gillette Thunder Speedway (Gillette, Wy.)
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. T-Shirts:
http://www.kevinquirkracewear.com/buy-driver-tees.htm
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