Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I was just curious if anyone knows why Hockett, and Jason Johnson switched from Wesmar to Don Ott? It seems that Wesmar use to be the force to be reckon with on the ASCS tour and now you see more and more Don Otts and I have seen some really fast Gaerte 360 engines lately too.

We haven't re-built an engine for Jesse in two years. His uncle had been doing them. According to Jesse it was in an effort to save money, although we sold him parts here and there.

As far as Jason goes I think he felt there might be an edge by switching to someone else rather than using what everybody else has. That and possibly because we can't or won't give our stuff away.

when guys are doing good and having no problems, they stay with their motor guy. usually only better perormance or a better price change that. lol.

Obviously geographic location may play into some choices .... but I have NEVER heard a driver or owner complain about power, service or prices that run Wesmar engines in the central Iowa area ...both 360 and 410 Wesmar's are, in use and winning wise well represented in the pits on race nights.

Personally .... our bunch is amazed that 6 or 7 year old (according to what he told us one night last season) Wesmar that #19 (Weave??) runs performs like it does in time trials especially against the big dogs.

If the #19 hauler and trailer and entire operation is any indication of gross racing $$$ spent ..... that must be one great power plant.

R.A.

S.H.S.

i might need to say that in no way was i taking a shot at wesmar with my above comment. just stating what i have seen in general. looking for more power or a better deal is usually what separates a guy from their motor builder. now wesmar even said that jesse is doing their own motors to save money and has insinuated that jason may have wanted stuff to be given away. that sounds like a search for a better price by both teams. everyone is looking to save money these days.

There are lots of philosphies in racing that work for various people but it seems you always come back to "monkey see monkey do".

You know the old joke about "if Karl Kinser put a cowpaddy on his hood... in 2 races half the field would be doing it too".

You see that attitude when a car is winning... it MUST be the engines. You may take a hard look at their motor builder for next season.

Some people look at 3/4 of the field running a Maxim chassis. Are you smart to buy what's winning and hope you can set it up better than them?

Shane Stewart's team went A.R.T. chassis and won a title. Keeping up with the Joneses may not always work.

A successful 410 motor builder may be itching to try some ASCS motors and has a niche no one has followed yet. Why not?

It's really tough to ignore how successful Wesmar has been in ASCS competition. Their motors are proven to be reliable and fast. Buy Kelly some deep fried chicken parts and the occasional icy cold beverage consisting of malt, barley & hops and I can't see the advice and help stopping.

Why try to reinvent the wheel when a proven way to do it exists?

All up to you, your budget & your program.

The thing that i always thought was funny was anytime karl kinser was winning races there was a rumor that he was trying something new. You never know what you can do if you do not ask what if
i try this or that. Too me that is what makes racing including sprint car racing so neat. Football teams
when one team comes out with a new offense or defense and they do well, everyone is using that offense
or defense so i guess monkey see monkey do does work sometime just not all the time!