12/2/2009
Sprint Source
Rocket Hockett - Looking Back, Looking Ahead!
[i (Bill W) December 1, 2009] – Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett has had some sensational years, but none quite like the one he just completed in 2009. The Warsaw, Missouri sprint car ace racked up 21 wins, including two of the most prestigious events in the sport. Throw in a Speedweek championship, a USAC double, and a win on the last day of competition at the historic Manzanita Speedway while you’re at it. As he looks forward to 2010, Jesse is both thankful for the opportunities this season, and hopeful that a partner can come along to continue to advance his talented career.
The 2009 sprint car season started at East Bay Raceway Park in Florida in January. Jesse teamed with Pennsylvanian Tom Buch to form the #13 team, and things couldn’t have started better as he copped the Ronald Laney King of the 360’s worth $13,000. “We were pumped up and ready to go there,” he says. “We had a new team assembled, and our expectations were high. We were pretty fast all week, but had some issues the first night. The second night went great, because of all the prestige that goes with it. To win a race in Ronald Laney’s honor was awesome.”
A fifth place run in the sprint car, and a second place finish in the Champ Car at the Copper Dirt Classic at Manzanita were up next. “We were able to win the Qualifier for the Copper on Dirt out there at Manzanita in the Carl Edwards/R.E. Technologies car,” says Jesse. “We ended up running second to Bud Kaeding in the finale and that was a good way to start the season. I want to thank Chris Santucci and Robert Hubbard and R.E. Technologies for all their help at different times over the season.”
No one knew the fate of Manzanita Speedway during the Copper on Dirt, but it soon surfaced that the speedway would hold its last event on April 12. Jesse won on the 1/3 mile there, copping the Lealand Legacy in the Massey #2. A twist of fate and a rainout there in April, allowed him to travel from Eldora (OH) on Saturday night to Manzy for a Sunday afternoon victory in the Don Davis Memorial on the last day of racing at the historic oval. “Luck really fell our way, and Mother Nature really helped us out down in Arizona,” he remembers. “I had never won a race on the ½ mile at Manzy (he won four with Massey on the 1/3 mile), so that would have been a blank spot in my career if we weren’t able to make it that day. Parker Store of Phoenix and Bob Ream (#8) made it possible for me to be there, and they had the racecar ready to go. It was the last night there, so that will go down in history.”
With Jesse in contention in the USAC National point standings but down on equipment, a pair of men stepped up to help. In May, Ted Finkenbinder supplied a pavement car to keep things going there, and Gary Stanton supplied the power. “We were basically out of 410 motors, and I have to thank Gary Stanton for that,” says Jesse. “He stepped up and provided us with some awesome motors when we really needed it. We ended up getting our big wins with those motors, and it’s because of Gary. He’s one of those guys that I’ve always read about, and it was really cool building a relationship with him this year. Ted really helped us too, and I have to thank him as well.”
The power paid off, and on USAC’s Pennsylvania swing, Jesse won two features in one night at the Grandview Speedway, and in turn a $6,000 reward. “Tom Buch really stepped it up and helped us this year,” he says. “A lot of Tom’s friends were there, as well as Bernie Stuebgen and Gary Eastwood, who are two guys that have helped me a lot. Those wins were special because that is home for Tom. I had struggled in Pennsylvania for a long time. To go there and race well was pretty awesome. Grandview is a tough track to master, and to win two there was unbelievable.”
Jesse picked off several wins close to home in Missouri, and decided to concentrate on the Lucas Oil ASCS National Series which had a layoff of several months. He went to the Northwest, and promptly won at three tracks he had never seen in Oregon during ASCS-Northwest Speedweek. “We had been struggling for awhile with our ASCS stuff,” he says of the trip in mid-July. “We went up there, and we had never seen those tracks, and I hadn’t raced against the majority of the drivers out there. I compared the tracks to some of them that we run back home, and tried some of the same stuff. Everything just clicked and it was a good stretch where we won three in a row up there. To do that with the locals like Roger Crockett up there made it a fun trip.”
Jesse was crowned as the Speedweek champ. When August rolled around, the concentration was on Southern Iowa Speedweek. Though he struggled with a wing on, he finally grabbed the elusive $15,000 Ultimate Challenge in Oskaloosa. “It was more special because I had been awake so many nights thinking about the race that I felt we gave away in 2004 (Dickie Gaines won late),” he says. “It came down to the same situation with Dave Darland, and I wasn’t going to let it happen again. I was going to do whatever it took to get that win. There was a lapped car at the end, and I had to go between him and the wall. I didn’t care if I had to climb him to win it or get upside down doing it. I was going to get it done.”
The win was made special with the memory of Jesse’s late cousin and former crew chief, Daniel McMillin. “When we ran second in 2004, we were really starting to branch out with our racing,” he says. “We had talked a lot about what we could have done differently. I thought of him a lot when we finally won it.”
The strong runs continued with ASCS, and Jesse ended up tenth in their point’s race. His 21 wins came at ten different tracks in six different states. He also drove for Scott and Duke McMillen and Bruce Douglas and Victor Davis in California, as well as Harold Main, who he narrowly missed a win with. “I appreciate them giving me opportunities out West,” he says. “We should have won the Louie Vermeil Classic there at Calistoga, but we got upside down. I’d like to win it for those guys in the future.”
The success in the #13 will be coming to an end, as Jesse and car owner, Tom Buch are parting amicably. “We have a bit of a conflict of interest in the races we want to run, and Tom wanted to do something different for next year,” says Jesse. “We may still run for him a few times, and we’re leaving on good terms. We’re looking at our options right now with the Tom Van Kiersbilck/VKCC Motorsports #75. We need some sponsorship to do what we want to do with our schedule, and it’s pretty tough out there right now. If something comes along that will further my career, we’ll definitely take a look at that.”
It looks like the Chili Bowl will be next up on the agenda, and Jesse will again team with Loyet Motorsports. He put it in the show in 2009, and hopes to climb the ladder to the podium on Saturday in January. “Loyet Motorsports gave me a great opportunity last year, and they always have some great equipment,” he says. “Joe Loyet and his group is always one of the higher quality teams you’ll see at the Chili Bowl. I’m excited about it.”
Models and Hoodies Available
A select number of Jesse Hockett 1/18 scale Tom Buch/VKCC Motorsports #13 models are still in stock. He also has new hooded sweatshirts available. Catch him at the track, or visit http://jessehockett.homestead.com/2009_Site_Merchandise.html to order!
On the Web
To learn more about Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett, including updated results and photos, visit http://JesseHockett.com!
T-Shirt Trivia!
Last week’s answer: Jesse won the 2008 Perris Oval Nationals in the Duke and Scott McMillen #2.
Last week’s winner: Jason Tucker from Roseville, California
This week’s question: Where did Jesse’s first and last wins of 2009 occur?
Each week, we’ll be giving away a Jesse Hockett t-shirt to our trivia winner! We will draw a winner from the correct answers submitted on Friday following the release. Submit your trivia answer, along with your name, address and t-shirt size to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net! Put "Hockett Trivia" in the subject line.
Rocket Rambles
Jesse’s best effort at the Western World came in 2006 in the Massey #2. The race was sanctioned by USAC, and Jesse ended up sixth in the final rundown. Josh Wise won that year, followed by Daron Clayton, Bud Kaeding, Jerry Coons Jr. and Levi Jones. Counting prelims, Jesse has eleven feature starts, with three top fives and five top tens.
Partner Spotlight – Maxwell Shock Dyno
Jesse says – “With your shocks, you need to know how they are performing all the time. With Maxwell Shock Dyno, their easy to use software makes the job easy.”
Maxwell Industries was established in 1998 for the purpose of producing suspension testing machines for all types of vehicles. Suspension knowledge is a must when it comes to keeping your vehicle at its peak performance. Maxwell Industries has found a way to capture that knowledge through innovative technology that is easy and simple to understand. To visit Maxwell Industries online, visit www.MaxwellIndustries.com!
Rocket Hockett
“Rocket Hockett” is an up close look at the past, present and future of Jesse Hockett. To receive "Rockett Hockett", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Hockett" in the subject line.
Jesse would like to thank the partners of the VKCC Motorsports/Tom Buch team, including Parker Store of Phoenix, AMS Waterfall Systems, Rod End Supply, LRB Manufacturing, Penske Shocks, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Diversified Machine, Inc., Fischer Body Shop, Simpson, Hoosier, Conroy Bleeders, ARP Fasteners, Indy Race Parts, Massey’s Truck and Tank Repair, RMS Racing Engines, Pro Powder Coating, Korte Transportation, Rocket Graphics, Lucas Oil, Weld Racing, Spike Products, Maxwell, Red Onion Lounge, Engler, Barnes Dry Sump Oil Systems, FSR Racing Products, RH2, Canyon Apparel, JEI, Total Seal Piston Rings, JE Pistons and Wings Unlimited for all their help!.
Submitted By: Bill Wright
