Cody Hodgson: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Greenville Pickens Speedway Race Preview
Cody Hodgson of Escalon, Calif., makes his NASCAR K&N Pro Series East debut in the Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150 at Greenville Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C., on Saturday, March 26. The Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate joins Dave Davis Motorsports to tackle the entire 12-race schedule in 2011. A two-time WKA Grand National Champion in the go-kart ranks with some experience in regional Late Models and Formula 3 open-wheel cars, this marks the 19-year-old Hodgson’s first full-time foray into stock car racing. Though he has never competed at any of the 10 tracks on the K&N Pro Series East schedule, he did test at Greenville Pickens with Dave Davis Motorsports earlier this month.
WHO: Cody Hodgson, Escalon, Calif.
TEAM: Dave Davis Motorsports, No. 03 Ocala Gran Prix Dodge
BEST CAREER GREENVILLE PICKENS SPEEDWAY FINISH: N/A
LAST RACE AT GREENVILLE PICKENS SPEEDWAY: N/A
WHAT: NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet 150
WHERE: Greenville Pickens Speedway, Greenville, S.C. (.500-mile oval)
WHEN: 8 p.m., Saturday, March 26
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST
NEXT RACE: April 16, South Boston 150, South Boston Speedway, South Boston, Va. (.400-mile oval)
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CODY, HOW EXCITED ARE YOU TO BE WORKING WITH DAVE DAVIS MOTORSPORTS IN 2011?
I’m really excited for this year and everything that has come together. I think it’s going to be a really great step for me. I know (team owner Dave Davis) has good cars and good equipment. His cars have always been pretty fast, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.
WHAT WAS IT THAT ENCOURAGED YOU TO MAKE THE JUMP TO THE NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST THIS SEASON?
This seemed like the next step for me. This series is the stepping stone into (the Camping World Truck Series) and the Nationwide Series. I’ve gotten my feet wet in Late Model stock cars, so this is a good time to do this. It’s where a lot of the young drivers are coming from – guys like (2-time K&N East champion) Ryan Truex and (Daytona 500 winner) Trevor Bayne both came from the K&N Series.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR GREENVILLE PICKENS THIS WEEKEND?
I don’t really know what to expect when it comes to race time. Just from testing there with the team, I know that it’s a fun track to drive on. It’s definitely narrow, so I’m sure it’s going to be a wild race. The track’s pretty aggressive, so the thing for me is really going to be learning the limits of how hard you can drive the car and how to save the tires for all 150 laps.
It’s going to be tough. It’s a really different kind of racing than I’ve ever done. There are a lot of really good drivers in the (K&N) Series this year. I’m confident we can do really well as long as I can adapt.
I want to win, obviously. It would be amazing to be able to win my first time out, but ultimate goal – more of a realistic goal – is that I know I’ve got good enough equipment, so I want to stay alive and not get involved in any wrecks, and come out with a Top-5 or a Top-10. I would be ecstatic if we could make that happen. I know it’s not going to be easy.
DAVE DAVIS, TEAM OWNER
DAVE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HAVING CODY IN YOUR CAR FOR THE WHOLE SEASON?
I’m really excited to be working with Cody. He’s a great kid. I’ve really been impressed with his car control and everything about him when we’ve tested. His attitude, everything just kind of clicked with the team.