Circle track racing no drag for Heskett

Thursday, August 09, 2007
By Scott Brandenburg
Chronicle correspondent

C.J. Heskett has made the move from drag racing to circle track racing and he isn't looking back.

Heskett, a 34-year-old Muskegon resident, had been a fixture on the local drag racing circuit for half his life before calling it quits.

At the end of last year an opportunity to try something new -- circle tracks -- presented itself and Heskett has been hooked ever since.

"I just got burned out on drag racing," said Heskett. "For the most part it's you racing against the clock and yourself and it's 10 seconds and you go into the pit and wait until your next 10 seconds.

"On the circle track you get to race against yourself and 15-20 other racers every time and I like that."

Even though the love of his new sport has blossomed quickly Heskett's execution on the dirt hasn't morphed overnight.

Heskett's best finish at either Winston Motor Speedway or Thunderbird Race Park is ninth this season and the adapting process has been slowed by a lack of race time for the Orchard View graduate.

"We started really late this season and then I messed my knee up and had to get that taken care of," said Heskett, who plans on competing again at Winston Friday. "I've only had 13 or 14 feature races this season and I really need the time behind the wheel to get better. I'm getting there though."

Last year Heskett was talking to John Hammerle about how Hammerle had a car no one was driving.

Pretty soon Heskett and Hammerle, who works at J. and J. Machine, came to the conclusion they'd give racing with the 2002 Masters Built car powered by Ford a try.

Since then the team, which is helped by Fran Couch, has put it's time and energy into getting the Late Model car to race as well as possible.

"We've still got a ways to go," said Heskett. We can definitely get more out of the car and I'm still learning. I learn a lot just by watching these guys and trying to do what they do."

The No. 5 car has had its moments this season, turning in the fastest time once and coming close several times.

Heskett knows a top 5 finish could be possible but he doesn't want to speculate.

Once the experience is in place Heskett hopes there will be nothing holding him back."