Sportsman success comes slow for star teen

By LOGAN NEILL

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 25, 2001

Given his track record for success over the last two years, it may seem a bit unusual that Chris Hooker has yet to earn a trip to victory lane this season.

However, if there's one thing the 17-year-old Sportsman rookie has learned in his short driving tenure, it's that patience is a true racer's virtue. With blown motors, handling difficulties and the steep learning curve that comes with mastering a 500-horsepower machine, Hooker has had more than his share of obstacles. But he's confident success lies on the horizon.

"I've gotten close a bunch of times, and last week I was right there at the end," Hooker said. "It's going to happen eventually."

People who have watched the Inverness teen since he started his career will agree. From his days as a go-kart driver, through his tenure in the Hobby Stock class, Hooker has built a strong reputation for being a goal-oriented competitor. Each experience helps fuel a move toward a higher level.

"I knew two years ago that I would probably be driving in Sportsman this year," Hooker said. "But I wanted to make sure I was a better driver first."

It was 21/2 seasons ago when the barely 15-year-old Hooker roared into Citrus County Speedway's racing fraternity as a promising Hobby Stock rookie. Although track regulars had known him for years as the son of former driver and current promoter Billy Hooker, few had any inkling of the youngster's skills.

Hooker didn't take long to show them. By the middle of his first full year, he had become a regular visitor to victory lane. However, he seldom made many friends along the way. Fellow competitors often criticized Hooker for his aggressive tactics, and some even extracted revenge.

By the 2000 season, Hooker had matured considerably. His nine season victories were achieved more through skill than intimidation. He finished the year by claiming the division championship.

"By driving clean, you don't make so many enemies," he said of a philosophy that's become even more valuable now that he's driving cars that cost five or six times what he spent in Hobby Stock.

Becoming familiar with the characteristics of his heavier, more powerful No. 3 machine has taken a little more time, says Hooker.

"I was used to going just flat out in turns," he said. "But you have to learn to feather (the accelerator) or you're just not going to get the speed you need. Sometimes it helps to just watch where the other guys are going."

Citrus County Speedway

WHAT: Short-track stock car racing in Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock, Street Stock, Hobby Stock and Street-Legal Junker classes, plus the return of Figure 8 and Mini-Cup cars.

WHEN: Saturday. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. The first heat race is 6:30.

POINTS STANDINGS

LATE MODEL: 1. Herb Neumann, Jr. (261), 2. John Chance (239), 3. Dale Sanders (234). SPORTSMAN: 1. Mike Veltman (355), 2. Sport Wilson (339), 3. Rex Struble (307).STREET STOCK: 1. Travis Nichols (329), 2. Mike Bell (324), 3. Ernie Reed Jr. (322). MINI STOCK: 1. Kevin Harrod (301), 2. Frank Coleman (297), 3. Don Faunce (286). HOBBY STOCK: 1. Richie Smith (419), 2. Roy Perkins (326), 3. (tie) Art Brueningsen, B. Johnson (314). FIGURE 8: 1. Bob Hage (172), 2. Charlie Meyer (158), 3. Robbie Hage (150). STREET-LEGAL JUNKER: 1. Stuart Madison (312), 2. Gary Johnson (282), 3. Rick Bedessa (272).

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