Sam Hafertepe, Jr. Grabs Mid-Week Glory In West Texas Crude Nationals

Story By: BRYAN HULBERT / HILLS RACING – LUBBOCK, TX – Despite being shortened by Mother Nature, the trip to Lubbock, Texas for the West Texas Crude Nationals was a good one for Sam Hafertepe, Jr. who captured his second triumph of the season over a star-studded field at West Texas Raceway.

“First off, thank you to everyone who put this race on and took the chance. Sucks the weather didn’t cooperate, but it felt good to go race again,” commented Hafertepe.

Getting into second on Lap 3, it didn’t take long to get a run on the No. 28 of Scott Bogucki. Crossing lines twice, Hafertepe secured the top spot with 22-laps to run. Working on keeping the car straight as possible, tire wear started becoming an issue inside the first 10 laps.

“We were good. I knew we could run harder, but tire wear was a real issue so when I passed him [Bogucki] I wanted to make sure I got him well behind me, but I left too much room the first time I slid him and let him get a run so I just settled down and made sure I had a better run the next time. The rest of the race I basically just tried to protect and save the tires.”

Looking ahead to next weekend, the team has plans to head to Missouri, but the weather will be the determining factor on where the Hills Racing No. 15h lands next. The team is also looking for another crew member. Inquiries can be made to sammy15@sbcglobal.net.