Rocket Hockett – “The Rocket” Honored by Many!
(Bill W) June 1, 2010 – They came from far and wide to gather at Jesse Hockett’s Double X Speedway last Sunday night near California, Missouri to honor the late Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett. It was meant to be a night of celebration of the life of one of racing’s shining stars, and of course, it was to be a night of racing for the Hockett family and the Family of Racing associated with this great sport.
Randy Martin was chosen to drive the Jesse Hockett Racing #77 on Sunday night, and received resounding standing ovations from a packed house (many wearing Jesse Hockett apparel) every time he hit the track. The event was a great success despite everyone’s favorite for a night not visiting Victory Lane. The evening was a testament to “The Rocket” with young and old gathered for a racing event at a track he called a Sunday night home for years.
Young Adam Jones won the Winged Outlaw Warriors main event, piloting a car purchased from the Jesse Hockett stable this past off-season. Several drivers displayed decals honoring their fallen hero.
Generous contributors to the Hockett family continue to step up to the plate. On Sunday, $2,046 was collected from fans in the stands, and $3,530 was donated by Gill Signs of Sedalia through decal sales at area tracks. Some drivers elected to contribute their winnings to the cause as well.
Other initiatives are taking place around the country. Donations were taken in Indiana at Haubstadt and Lawrenceburg totaling $4,300. Arizona Motorsport Promotions donated 10% of their sales from the “Show Me 100”. Robby Wolfgang’s team is providing decals for a free-will donation and sending that money along. Robby also drove under the #77 at Rock Rapids on Friday night in non-wing competition. Brian Brown also changed to #77 for the weekend to honor Jesse, and had the huge crowd at Knoxville cheering him on to victory. At Calistoga, California, Kyle Larson, who raced the JHR #77 at Little Rock last Fall, did a Memorial lap in Jesse’s honor.
Countless missing man formations and other activities to celebrate Jesse’s memory are occurring across the country and around the world. And of course, Double X Speedway will now be known as Jesse Hockett’s Double X Speedway.
Donations
Donations to the family can be made at the following address…
Reser Funeral Home
101 W. Main
Warsaw, MO 65355
Rocket Rambles
From 2003 through Sunday, May 23, Jesse left a huge mark on Jesse Hockett’s Double X Speedway. In the 32 features he ran in that time period, he won 23 of them or 72% of the time. He finished in the top five an amazing 30 times (94%). His other two finishes resulted in DNF’s.