Hooker Brothers Racing started their annual trip to New Smyrna Speedway for the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing with another trip to the Florida hospital.
Brett Buchanan (Mud), was walking outside of Wayne Anderson’s race shop with his head down and came face to face with a piece of metal sticking out of the metal storage rack. Mud it now the owner of 5 stitches across the bridge of his nose at a cost of $250.00.
Race #1:
The #38 was running well the first day of racing with track times in the top 5. Qualify by time trial put the #38 4th quickest and on the inside lane in 5th for the start of the 25 lap feature. With relatively few cautions, Kirk was able to stay with the lead cars until the mid point of the race.
Brett Buchanan (Mud), was walking outside of Wayne Anderson’s race shop with his head down and came face to face with a piece of metal sticking out of the metal storage rack. Mud it now the owner of 5 stitches across the bridge of his nose at a cost of $250.00.
Race #1:
The #38 was running well the first day of racing with track times in the top 5. Qualify by time trial put the #38 4th quickest and on the inside lane in 5th for the start of the 25 lap feature. With relatively few cautions, Kirk was able to stay with the lead cars until the mid point of the race.
With the car being very tight in the centre of the corners and obviously not handling the way that it did earlier in the day were it was much warmer, Kirk was forced to allow two cars passed him on the outside in mid race. With the car as clean as it started, the #38 Hooker Brothers Chevy finished a respectable 7th out of the 18 car field. Chad Akins took the lead from start and pulled away to lead all 25 laps followed by Drew Brannon and Derrick Kelly who finished second and third respectfully.
Race #2:
The crew started the off day making adjustments in practice to free the car up in the centre of the corners and although they did feel they were going in the right direction, the cooler night temperatures would be the only time they could see if they were successful. Kirk lined up the #38 7th in the 18 car field and after a false start due to cars being to close to the pace truck, Kirk moved up a position on the restart when the #54 got loose coming out of turn four. The top 6 pulled away from the field with Kirk closely behind the #21.
As the green laps progressed, the top 5 pulled away leaving the #38 and #26 to battle for position a straightaway back. At the halfway point, both the #26 and #38 lost the battle for 6th when the #26 got into the back of Kirk, spinning him out between turns 3 & 4. Although the car was not damaged, it was placed at the back of the field with the #26. On the restart, Kirk moved from 11th to 9th and then engaged in battle with the #99 for position.
The caution came out due to a blown motor putting Kirk in 8th with only two laps top go. In a green, white, checkered finish, Kirk brought the #38 across the line to finish 7th behind the #26. Due to an infraction, the #26 of Jessica Murphy was moved back in the field giving 6th to Hooker Brothers Racing. The team was happy with the finish and even happier that the car was still in good shape as this time last year, the team was loading a wrecked race car ending their speed weeks and a crew member was in the hospital after having a heart attack.
The #70 of Chad Akins to the checkered flag for his second win in two nights and he was closely followed by the #119 of JR McMichael and the #21 of Derrick Kelley. Unfortunately the luck of fellow Ontario racer Tyler Brown has not been as good as they blew their motor in practice ending what has been a trip of misfortune since they left Ontario. On the way to Florida, they came across black ice that caused them to spin out resulting in severe damage to their truck and trailer as well as minor damage to the car.
Race #2:
The crew started the off day making adjustments in practice to free the car up in the centre of the corners and although they did feel they were going in the right direction, the cooler night temperatures would be the only time they could see if they were successful. Kirk lined up the #38 7th in the 18 car field and after a false start due to cars being to close to the pace truck, Kirk moved up a position on the restart when the #54 got loose coming out of turn four. The top 6 pulled away from the field with Kirk closely behind the #21.
As the green laps progressed, the top 5 pulled away leaving the #38 and #26 to battle for position a straightaway back. At the halfway point, both the #26 and #38 lost the battle for 6th when the #26 got into the back of Kirk, spinning him out between turns 3 & 4. Although the car was not damaged, it was placed at the back of the field with the #26. On the restart, Kirk moved from 11th to 9th and then engaged in battle with the #99 for position.
The caution came out due to a blown motor putting Kirk in 8th with only two laps top go. In a green, white, checkered finish, Kirk brought the #38 across the line to finish 7th behind the #26. Due to an infraction, the #26 of Jessica Murphy was moved back in the field giving 6th to Hooker Brothers Racing. The team was happy with the finish and even happier that the car was still in good shape as this time last year, the team was loading a wrecked race car ending their speed weeks and a crew member was in the hospital after having a heart attack.
The #70 of Chad Akins to the checkered flag for his second win in two nights and he was closely followed by the #119 of JR McMichael and the #21 of Derrick Kelley. Unfortunately the luck of fellow Ontario racer Tyler Brown has not been as good as they blew their motor in practice ending what has been a trip of misfortune since they left Ontario. On the way to Florida, they came across black ice that caused them to spin out resulting in severe damage to their truck and trailer as well as minor damage to the car.
Via Shaw Motorsports
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