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Hafertepe Caps Three Race Swing With The Season’s 19th Podium Run

(Image Credit: Speedway Shots)

Bryan Hulbert - ABERDEEN, S.D. (July 18, 2018) Taking in nights across Wyoming, Iowa, and South Dakota, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. brought his number of podiums on the season to 19, along with his 23rd top-five finish of the 2018 season.

Battling for victory on Wednesday, July 11 at Gillette Thunder Speedway with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com, the end result would be a runner-up finish to Iowa’s Chris Martin.

“The track was a little heavy in the Heats, but it surprised me in the Feature. We were okay, and we were able to get around Chris, but he was aggressive and determined to win, and I just made a few mistakes in traffic,” commented Hafertepe.

Taking in weekly competition at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday, July 14, Sam was able to grid his J&J Chassis No. 15h eighth before moving to a fifth-place finish.

“Anytime we can get laps at Knoxville is good and we tried some different things when we were there. The track was a little different than it normally races. You really couldn’t throw a really aggressive move on someone for the pass but overall it was a good test for us to get ready for the Nationals. We’ll be there the next two weeks getting ready. The tire is a different feel, so the more laps we can make the better, plus we’ll be running the 360 and the 410.”

Joining back with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by Sawblade.com on Monday, July 16 at Brown County Speedway, Hafertepe turned the fastest laps of the night. Starting third after the redraw, Sam fell back on the start before getting back to third in the closing laps.

“They kept trying to get the top to work all night, and in the feature I just didn’t think it was going to so I stayed tight around the bottom, and really that’s what we set up for and when it finally did take off up there, I knew we were probably going to be in trouble but as the rubber started going down and moved everyone closer to the bottom, we actually got really good at the end of the race but we just missed it.”

With Knoxville Raceway on the docket, the team is regrouping in Texas before heading back to Iowa for the next four weekends with events at Mason City Motor Speedway and Southern Iowa Speedway mixed in.

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: 39; Wins -8 ; Top 5 - 23; Top 10 - 27; Top 15 –29; Top 20 –32;

Coming Up: All Iowa

7/21/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (360 and 410)

7/28/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (360 and 410)

7/29/2018-Mason City Motor Speedway - Mason City, IA (Lucas Oil ASCS)

8/2/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (Lucas Oil ASCS)

8/3/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (Lucas Oil ASCS)

8/4/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (Lucas Oil ASCS)

8/5/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (410)

8/7/2018-Southern Iowa Speedway - Oskaloosa, IA (Lucas Oil ASCS)

8/8/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (410)

8/9/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (410)

8/10/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (410)

8/11/2018-Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA (410)

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.

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