R.I.P. Jesse Hockett 1983-2010

This is one of those dark days in racing, far removed from the racetrack. 26 year old Jesse Hockett of Warsaw, Missouri was lost in a shop accident on May 26, 2010.  This coming after sweeping his last three races in his homestate.  One of the most versatile sprint car racers in the world. Whether it was a 360 or 410, wing or not, Hoosier or Goodyear.  He raced and won in USAC, WoO, ASCS and countless other series throughout the US and most recently in Australia.  He won many prestigious races, including the last sprint car race at the famed Pheonix oval, Manzanita Speedway.  I had the oppurtunity to see "The Rocket" hone his craft at such famed ovals as the aforementioned Manzanita, Eastbay, Eldora, Toledo, Winchester and Terre Haute.  While I didn't know Jesse personally, I recall a short pitside conversation before he came home 3rd in the 2009 Tony Hulman Classic at Terre Haute.  I can also recall reading various racing news on Sunday mornings of his numerous weekend victories.  Those victories totaled 130 in a short and promising career.  Godspeed Rocket, you'll be missed.