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Hodges finishes
2009 season strong at Toyota Speedway
Kelley Hodges
/ Bobby Hodges Racing
 Carson City, Nev. –
19 year old Cal Poly
Engineering student Bobby Hodges came back from a 24th
place starting position to finish 12th in the second race
for Saturday nights’s NASCAR Whelen All American Series Twin 40 on
the ½ mile at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, CA.
This was only
Hodges’ second time racing at Toyota Speedway. The last time
Hodges raced in Irwindale on January 30 of this year, he was
in second place with some front bumper damage with a few laps
to go. He was called into the infield to pit, but the race
finished under caution resulting in a 30th place
finish.
“The US Marine
Corps, American Cancer Society, NATC 88 Chevy ran really well
in the second race” Hodges said. “We had a great time down
here and learned a lot more about how to get around this
track.”
Hodges started
out the afternoon of October 3 qualifying ninth fastest out of
a large 25 car turnout for the races at the 1/3 mile oval
track.
In the first
race, mechanical problems sidelined the 88 Chevy. “We were
racing hard in 10th place and got together with
another car and lost fuel pressure. Fortunately we were able
to pull to the inside and avoid a big wreck” said Hodges. At
lap 19 Hodges pulled into the infield due to a loose fuel cap,
independent of the bump into the wall immediately prior from
car number 20. This placed Hodges 25th in the first
race, starting him second to last for the second race.
Repairs were
made and Hodges started last in the second race. Before going
through turn one on the first lap Hodges had already passed
two cars. By lap 10 he was up to 15th and by lap 30
he was up to 8th.
On lap 27, the
51 and 20 cars made contact coming out of turn four. Dallas
Colodny in the 51 car spun out midtrack as a result, Beau
Debard in the 55 car got into Colodny on the straightaway
right in front of Hodges. However, Hodges successfully
maneuvered around the 51 and 55 car and finished twelfth in
the race with no damage to the car. There were a number of
accidents and restarts.
“We had a 5th
place car, the 88 was really running great. The restarts here
are a lot different than on the 1/3 mile at All American
Speedway. At Roseville you really have to go on the restarts
or get run over. With a bigger track, the rhythm on the
restarts is a lot different and so I learned a lot about how
to time and anticipate the restarts” Hodges said in reviewing
the race. “Unfortunately the car in front got really loose on
the restart and I just could not miss him.” As a result,
Hodges was held for a lap, restarted 14th with 3
laps to go and finished 12th.
“All in all it
was a great season for us and I just can’t thank all the
people who came out to support me at Roseville and Irwindale
enough. Students from Harvey Mudd and Cal Poly were in the
stands and in the pits. We really had a great time at
Irwindale and we are looking forward to coming back for the
shootout. This is a great place to race.”
Hodges finished
the season 3rd in Westcar points, 15th
in NASCAR points for California and 72nd in points
nationwide after missing several big races due to school and
work commitments. Before the race at Irwindale, Hodges had
competed in 20 races at Roseville and Madera with two wins, 11
top 5s and 16 top 10s. Racing on behalf of the Marine Corps
Wounded Warrior Fund and the American Cancer society, Hodges
was able to donate more than $3000 for the season to those
causes. “I am just so fortunate to have the opportunity to
race. I have a great crew and good friends at the track. It
is important to give back in a small way to others” A number
of drivers from Northern Nevada competed in the Whelen All
American Series including Mackenna Bell who finished 161st
in points and Dallas Colodny who received rookie of the year
honors for his efforts in the Late Model Division at Irwindale.
Summing up the
year, Hodges said “I learned a lot this year and was able to
get to the winners circle a couple of times. Winning my first
race for the Marine Corps at the Armed Forces Night event in
Roseville was just incredible. We still have a lot to do to
improve as a team and for me as a driver as well. Jason
Romero was just amazing this year at All American Speedway,
congratulations to him and his team. We are really looking
forward to the 2010 season but want to thank everyone at
Roseville and Madera for the great time we had racing. ”
Hodges will also
compete in the 75-lap nationally televised NASCAR Toyota All
Star Showdown on January 29 to make use of his experience at
Toyota Speedway. |
