Mechanical failure gives Hodges second place finish in Big Dog Series

Steven Blakesley / Bobby Hodges Racing

Carson City, Nev. - 19 year-old Bobby Hodges of Carson City, Nev. had mechanical failure end his run at Altamont Raceway Park in Tracy, Calif. prematurely, on Sunday afternoon. The Late Model standout suffered broken lug nuts, and was credited with a 21^st place finish.

Hodges, who is studying mechanical engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was the incoming points leader in the Big Dog Series, a three-race mini-series at the asphalt half-mile oval. The finish dropped Hodges to second in the final standings, giving him three runner-up points performances in 2008.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” Hodges said. “But to come home second in one of the premiere late model mini-series on the west coast is great.”

The two-day weekend saw Hodges compete in heat races on Saturday, where he shined in a door-to-door battle with west coast standout Eric Schmidt.

Hodges worked the outside groove for more than 10 laps against the formidable Schmidt, and won the battle for the third position in the finish.

Sunday’s 125 lap feature was the richest Western Late Model race in the state of California, and Hodges entered very conservatively.

Just 12 laps into the event he suffered a flat tire and was forced to the pits.

“I was sitting in fifth just cruising and I got that flat,” Hodges said. “My crew did a good job getting me out quickly and I sat behind the leaders hoping to make up time.”

Three laps down, Hodges recorded impressive laps before being gathered up in a crash on lap 85. A slower car spun in front of him, sparking a chain reaction with Hodges being hit by another competitor.

Surprisingly, he emerged with no visible damage and continued on.

The lap 100 break proved to be the breaking point when Hodges came down pit road and the crew discovered the lug nut problems on the right-front.

“Apparently the problem was a combination of loose lug nuts rubbing against a new wheel,” Hodges said on why the lug nuts sheered off. “I had a slight vibration but didn’t know it was this.”

Hodges completed his 2008 run at Altamont with impressive numbers, scoring nine top-tens and eight top-fives in 11 starts. Along with coming home second in the Big Dog Series, Hodges finished second in the Tri-Holiday Series and second in the Westcar Late Model Series.

Second place was the theme for the entire season, with Hodges also racking up four second place finishes.

Hodges performance this year is even more impressive when realizing the average car count for his races was over 26 cars.

“It really has been a good year,” Hodges said. “I have to thank my parents and team for the effort. This year has been so enjoyable.”

Bobby Hodges is interested in competing in the Westcar Late Model Series event at All American Speedway on October 24 and 25.

Hodges has been a part of the Westcar Late Model Series for three seasons and would welcome opportunities to compete in the series historic return to Roseville. He has five top-tens in five starts at the one-third mile asphalt oval.

Bobby Hodges is available for contact and opportunities at www.bobbyhodges.net

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.