CARSON CITY, Nevada — Bobby Hodges of Carson City, NV has announced plans to compete for both the Westcar Late Model Series title and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series California state and National championships in 2009.
"“The state title is a new animal. It will be a cool deal and more a touring-type schedule."— Bobby Hodges
Hodges will pilot a pair of Western Late Model stock cars sponsored by Nevada Automotive Test Center.
The 19 year-old racer will compete in at least 18 feature events in 2009, hoping to build off of his amazing 2008 season. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo engineering student will compete in the 16 Westcar Late Model Series / NASCAR features at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. which takes place over nine race nights.
He will also compete at NASCAR-sanctioned races at Stockton 99 Speedway and Madera Speedway.
“The state title is a new animal,” Hodges said. “It will be a cool deal and more a touring-type schedule.”
In 2008, Hodges accumulated enough NASCAR points to rank in the top 250 drivers in the nation, despite only running nine NASCAR points races. NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rules allow drivers to pick their best 18 finishes for the national title chase.
“It’s definitely going to be more intense running twice as many races,” Hodges said. “We looked through and saw that we had one of the highest points averages per race in the nation and that makes us optimistic about our chances.”
The 2008 season also saw Hodges come home second in the Westcar Late Model Series, along with the Altamont Motorsports Park mini-series for the Big Dog and Tri-Holiday. His relationship with his fellow racers earned him Sportsman of the Year with Westcar, making him the youngest winner of the award in four seasons.
In the off-season, Hodges’ team purchased the Phil Perry-built car that Jason Fensler piloted to two wins in the three race Big Dog Series.
Hodges debuted the car at the prestigious Toyota All Star Showdown in January, and led many laps before being gathered in a late race crash.
Hodges will the new car in the Westcar Late Model Series events at Roseville, using his 2008 mount for the Stockton 99 and Madera events.
“Having two cars will be a huge advantage,” Hodges said. “With as good as California racers are, we have to win races and earn a lot of points. We need to break through that barrier (winning races).”
Despite Hodges racking up an impressive career average of 75% top-tens, he has yet to win a Late Model feature event. He had four runner-up finishes in 2008.
The young student’s season will get started on March 21st with a twin-50 event at Madera Speedway.
He will test this weekend at All American Speedway to prepare for the season.
Complete tentative schedule is at www.bobbyhodges.net
Driver Bobby Hodges is brought to you by Nevada Automotive Test Center.
