Bryan Hulbert – SAPULPA, Okla. (July 15, 2020) Turning laps at Riverside International Speedway on Saturday, July 11 with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network, and Creek County Speedway on Sunday, July 12, with the ASCS Sooner Region, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. capped his weekend with a fifth season victory.
Ending up in a B-Feature at Riverside, Hafertepe's win placed him starting 17th in the A-Feature with the Hills Racing/Champion Brands No. 15h advancing 17 positions to place fifth.
"Overall, we were good all weekend," stated Sam.
"Saturday, we had a Heat Race where guys knew where to run, so maybe if we'd drawn a different Heat, things would have been different, but it happens that way sometimes. I tried to make something happen on the top on the start and just didn't make any hay, but really it ended up helping us having to run the 'B'. It gave us a better feel for the Racetrack and a better idea than a lot of guys on what the track was going to do."
Trekking six hours west to Creek County Speedway on Sunday, Hafertepe was at the top of the leaderboard every time he hit the track. Working through numerous cautions and red flags throughout the 25 lap event, Hafertepe was able to fend off the restart challenges.
"We had a run at one point where I tried to pick up the pace, and I could tell I drove off before the last red. Once we got going again, I took it easy towards the end and knew if I had to ramp it up what the car could do. The biggest thing was getting into traffic, but on an open track, I didn't feel like we were going to have any problems as long as I hit my marks."
Coming up next for Sam, the Heidbreder Foundation No. 15h will follow the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network to U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. on Friday, July 17 before taking to Knoxville Raceway on Saturday, July 18 to shake do their 360 program.
The team is still looking for another crew member. Inquiries can be made to sammy15@sbcglobal.net.
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).
2020 Season to Date:
Events: 32; Wins -5; Top 5 – 8; Top 10 – 16; Top 20 – 20;
Coming Up:
July 17 – U.S. 36 Raceway (Osborn, Mo.) w/Lucas Oil ASCS
July 18 – Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, Iowa) w/360cid
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.