Dave Davis Motorsports Wants Another Crack At Series’ Biggest Track
DENVER, N.C. – Since he left the speedway back in July, Cody Hodgson has been champing at the bit for another crack at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
When the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East heads to the track for this weekend’s New Hampshire 125, Hodgson will get that crack. Practice and qualifying are slated for Thursday, weather permitting, with the green flag at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon.
“Oh, man, I can’t wait to go back up to Loudon,” said Hodgson, 19, of Escalon, Calif. “I really, really want to race there again. I’ve had this race circled since the last time we were there.”
Hodgson sits 10th in the overall K&N Pro Series East standings in his first full season in stock cars of any kind. New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Dover International Speedway – the final two stops in the circuit in 2011 – represent big opportunities to put an exclamation point on Hodgson’s rookie season.
After being among the fastest cars all day in practice at New Hampshire when the series made its first visit this season, Hodgson inexplicably slipped down the charts in qualifying and struggled during the first half of the 125-lap race. But when he pitted for fresh tires, the No. 03 Ocala Gran Prix Dodge suddenly sprung to life – and Hodgson rallied for a Top-20 finish.
In the aftermath, a bad set of tires was the culprit for Hodgson’s frustration. Now, the driver who is fifth in the tight K&N Pro Series East Sunoco Rookie of the Year standings with two races remaining, is ready to go back with a clean slate.
“Yeah we definitely learned some things (in July),” said Hodgson, who had never competed on a track a mile in length before that July start in the New England 125. “And just for me, getting some seat time at these tracks is important. It takes time. I definitely feel comfortable on the track at Loudon.”
Now that he’s found a comfort level, Hodgson believes it’s about taking the compete level up a notch.
“It’s just a matter of finding the setup for me,” Hodgson said. “I think we have a good idea of where we need to be. It’s just unfortunate the way we came in (in July).”