Season ending performance solid for Hodges in Westcar Late Models
 

Steven Blakesley / Bobby Hodges Racing

Carson City, Nev. – Cal Poly Freshman Bobby Hodges concluded his 2008 racing season Friday and Saturday at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif., with a top-ten run in the Westcar Late Model Series event being thwarted by a last lap accident.

The 18 year-old driver from Carson City, Nev. was forced to settle for a 14^th place finish in the ultra-competitive Ward Land Management & Development 100, after running as high as sixth.

The weekend was considered a success, after having his last two starts ended by mechanical failure and a crash.

“This race was great and we ran good,” Hodges said. “It was a good way to end the season and bring the car home in one piece.”

Hodges has accomplished much in the 2008 season, coming home second in the Westcar Late Model Series, and in the Altamont Raceway Park Big Dog and Tri-Holiday Series. He also finished in the top 250 in the nation for NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racers, and opened the season with an amazing nine top-tens in a row.

After hovering near the top of practice on Friday, a unique night qualifying session got the better of Hodges and he qualified 14^th.

Hodges started the feature in 12^th but quickly went to the front. By the halfway point of the 100 lap feature he was in the sixth position.

“We made some adjustments that really helped,” Hodges said. “The car came in during the main event and was good on the long runs. I was really hoping for a top-five.”

Hodges let both Eric Schmidt and Justin Philpott, drivers who elected to start at the back for a chance at a $1000 bonus, pass him. This “gave him a chance to follow them” as they went after 2007 NASCAR State champion Mark Holeman.

Despite the car being great on long runs, restarts plagued Hodges.

“I felt like I was better than (Holeman) but the car had no grip on the restarts,” Hodges said.

A green-white-checkered finish cost Hodges another top-ten run, when he slowed for a crash in front of him and was hit from behind.

He was relegated to a 14^th place finish.

Hodges wraps up the season with 12 starts, eight top-fives, and nine top-tens. He had an average finish of seventh and four runner-up finishes. His finished allowed him to win nearly $12,000 in prize monies.

Racing plans for the 2009 season for the 18 year-old engineering student are to be announced. Stay tuned to www.bobbyhodges.net for more.

Bobby Hodges is sponsored by: Nevada Automotive Test Center, Café Fiore, Team Marines Racing, No Coast Customs, Sierra Racing Products, and the American Cancer Society.