Inside Line Promotions – SUNNYVALE, Texas (Jan. 10, 2014) – There’s a new buzz around Sam Hafertepe Jr. heading into the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire.
Hafertepe Jr. is set to make his first midget start since last season’s Chili Bowl, which was his third race at the premier midget event and first time in his own car. He will return to Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., next Tuesday through Saturday for another shot at the title.
“The goal this year is to finish top five in the preliminary night and possibly lock ourselves in (to the Saturday main event) with a top three,” said Hafertepe Jr., whose qualifying night is Thursday. “Obviously making the main event on Saturday night is the main overall goal. We were so close last year and with the experience we gained we feel that’s a realistic goal this year.”
Hafertepe Jr. won his heat race and finished third during his qualifier in preliminary action last season. He then placed 11th in the preliminary main event, which lined him up 16th in the B Main for the finale. Hafertepe Jr. advanced to 11th – only five positions out of making the main event.
“The main thing was between me not really driving midgets that often and getting more comfortable with the car,” he said. “That was part of the problem as well as since we had no midget experience we didn’t know much setup-wise. We learned a lot from last year so we have a good idea of the changes we need to make and the things we need to do going into this year to make our program a little better.”
With nearly 300 competitors at the event the lack of experience is a thorn in the side of Hafertepe Jr.
“It’s something that I don’t normally do,” he said. “With the sprint car deal it’s something that I’m familiar with. With the midget deal, doing it one time a year, it kinda puts a lot of pressure on you because you’re not used to it. Being that it’s a one-off deal it takes a lot more preparation because you want to do your best and you only have one opportunity to do your best.”
Fans can watch Hafertepe Jr. on live Pay-Per-View from the Chili Bowl. Visit http://www.RacinBoys.com for more information.
UP NEXT –
Tuesday through Saturday at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., for the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.Sam15.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamHafertepeJr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Hafertepe-Jr-and-The-Plumbfast-Racing-Team/116304711773031?ref=br_tf
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Keizer Aluminum Wheels
Keizer Aluminum Wheels has provided custom aluminum racing wheels for any type of racing application for several decades. For more information, visit http://www.KeizerWheels.com.
“I’ve been using Keizer Aluminum Wheels since 2004,” Hafertepe Jr. said. “They are like family to me and have been with me through the highs and the lows.”
Hafertepe Jr. would also like to thank Lone Star Speedway, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions, Smiley’s Racing Products, Driven Racing Oil, Tony’s D & D Auto Parts, All-Pro Auto Reconditioning, Fire-Down Graphics, ButlerBuilt Professional Seat Systems, Enforcer Clothing and Simpson Racing Products for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program and to join Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or InsideLinePromotions@gmail.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Jan 10, 2014
- Article Date: 1/10/2014 by Inside Line Promotions