Kirk Hooker - Post Race Update #4, New Smyrna Speedway Florida February 15, 2011
The Hooker Crew had yesterday off and enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather by going to the flea market in Daytona followed up by a trip to the local dirt track that evening. After a disappointing DNF finish on the previous night of racing the crew were determined to get the car geared up for a win. The focus was on curing a tight condition that seemed to come into play as the race went on and the crew made adjustments throughout the day to hopefully eliminate the problem.
Warmer than normal temperatures greeted the Hooker Crew as they readied for their 25 lap feature in their t-shirts. The #38 Waddick Fuels Chevy lined up 7th for what was hoped to be a trouble free night compared to the bad luck that was surrounding many of the Canadians that made the trip south of the border.
The 11 car field took the green flag and as the leaders entered turns 3&4, the front runners got together causing a big wreck. Kirk was directed low on the track and managed to avoid contact. The crew anticipated trouble up front and keen eyes kept the Shear Metal Products Chevy damage free. After a lengthy delay under a red flag, the field was a complete restart with had Kirk restarting in 6th. As the nine car field took the first green flag lap, Kirk was shuffled back to 8th until he regained one position on the next lap into 7th.
The #15 jumped up front followed by the #115 and #36 who were well spread out with a good lead on the balance of the cars who were running nose to tail with the #38 Pepsi/Amp Energy Chev glued to the bumper of the #21. The #26 moved up into third as the #33 pulled off the track leaving only eight cars running and Kirk in 7th as they counted off lap ten. Laps counted down without incident or changes in the running order other than the top three closed the gap on each other as the final five ran well behind.
The #26 took over 2nd as the field received the five to go signal and brother Randy was working hard on the radio giving Kirk encouragement to dig hard and get around the #21 whom he had been racing hard with throughout most of the race. Kirk was able to get a good run through the corners, however the #21 seemed to have more power and would pull ahead down the straight-aways. The order remained the same for the final five laps and the #15 took the win followed by the #26, #36, #119, #20, #21, #38 and #11 to round out the eight car field that finished the race.
Back in the pits, Kirk reported that the car handled fine, however he did think that the motor was tired and that it was a lack of horsepower that was their problem. The crew would call the engine builder in the morning to see what advice they could get to liven up the McColl Racing Enterprises Chevy.
From Ken Spira
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