News
10/2/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Prepares to Go Traditional!
Puyallup, WA - October 2, 2008...
Looking to further an already successful rookie season, TJ
transferred his Butlerbuilt seat and Wesmar power plant into his
non-wing car, and will head to Willamette Speedway in Lebanon,
OR this coming weekend. The 1/3 mile clay oval proves to be a
challenge for the traditional sprint cars, as they
search for traction with the 700 horsepower, 1400 pound rockets
- sans the wings that keep them locked down.
TJ ran three races with Richard Harvey's SCRA group down at
Kings Speedway in Hanford, CA in 2007. He's been looking for an
opportunity to shed the wings. TJ describes the transition:
"We already had the other car setup to run without the wings.
Basically it was just a matter of swapping the engine and my
seat. Everything went in easy, and the only real problem was
not having a wing tray to set the tools on while we worked on
it!"
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ guiding
the Wesmar engine swap
Weather may play a role in
the early Fall race for the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell,
Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder Coating,
Performance Coatings, sprint car team. TJ continues:
"I've been really looking forward to this. The wings make the
car fast, but it's a lot of fun to toss the car around and play
with the throttle and brakes like you do without the wings.
Everything is ready to go, and I even have power steering this
time! I just hope the weather holds out. This may be my last
race for the year, so I really want to get on the track again.
Last Winter was too long."
TJ racing at Kings Speedway in Hanford, CA
TJ's team and his supporters
are excited to continue the 2008 season. With a little help
from Mother Nature, TJ will get a chance to represent them on
the race track at least one more time in his rookie season. The
team is grateful for the words of encouragement from our friends
and sponsors, and we encourage you to show your enthusiasm
for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next stop - Willamette Speedway - October 4th!
TJ Hartman Racing
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports - TJ Pushing Off for Action at the GHR
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - 19 Reasons We Love TJ !
Puyallup, WA - September 19/20, 2008...
Nearly 50 cars on the first night of the Fred Brownfield
Memorial pushed their mounts to the limit, trying to score
points to secure their spot in the $10,092 to win Saturday
A-main event. When the wreckers cleared the debris, 36 cars
remained for the second night. The good news is TJ drove his
Wesmar powered Maxim to the trailer both nights. But it wasn't
the finishes the young rookie had hoped for after coming off a
successful season at the Grays Harbor Raceway.
The track was heavy, narrow, and fast the first night. TJ
learned long ago he'll never be a gambler, and his luck in the
pill draw stayed true to form on both nights - bad. TJ starts
the weekend: "I just laughed when they drew the pill, and then
again when I saw the lineup. These guys are all tough, but
starting behind guys with that much experience on a narrow and
fast track pretty much set the weekend for me. We were fast in
hot laps, so I just tried to do my best, and not get caught up
in any wrecks. Everyone was crashing all over the place
earlier. I guess it was kind of good that our heat went green
to checkered and nobody crashed, but I ended up in the B-main."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ with
his #19 locked down
The points from the heat race
line up the main events, and the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A
BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder
Coating, Performance Coatings, Rod End Supply, sprint car team
found themselves lining up 9th in the B-main on Friday. TJ
continues: "We made some changes from the heat, and I was
pretty good. With 4 laps to go I was up to 4th, and going into
(turn)3, something cut the sidewall on my right rear (tire) and
I had to go off. The crew got me back out, but there wasn't
enough time left to do much, and I ended up 6th. I watched the
A-main to try and learn some things, and we headed home to
service the car."
The special format for the weekend would combine points from
both nights to line up the prestigious Saturday main events, and
TJ knew going home he was up against a wall. A few hours sleep,
washing his car in the rain, and getting it ready to head back
to Elma made for a short night of rest. TJ explains night two:
"I couldn't believe it when they drew my pill for the second
night. I just shook my head. It was the worst pill of the
draw, and lined me up last in the last heat race. The good news
is the track was really wide and dry, so I thought I could at
least pass some cars to move up a little. We missed the setup
and I was struggling with my driving too. I passed a couple of
cars, and then fell back again. But the track was getting just
like I like it, so I had good hopes for the B-main."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ
searching for traction on Saturday
TJ's points for the two
nights would slot him 9th in the B-main. The crew made some
changes, hoping to make a good showing in the last race of the
season on the high banked clay oval. The pits were filled with
teams and drivers with the same goal, and only two would move
forward. TJ got off to a great start, and moved himself up to
6th quickly, but he stalled out there. He finishes the
weekend: "I wasn't really catching anyone, so I tried going up
high. It just wasn't working there, and I got passed so I went
back to the bottom. After a couple of laps, I knew the only way
for me to transfer was to find a miracle, so I started moving
around. I went up high again, but I just couldn't do anything,
and I ended up getting passed by a few more cars. It was a
disappointing end to the weekend, but I guess we learned some
things not to do. It was hard to watch the A-main and not be
out there."
When asked if he would like to have the weekend back to do over
again, TJ responded: "Nope - just look ahead and try to race
some more this year. I'm not ready for the winter yet."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ at
Saturday's Opening Ceremonies
There is a reason TJ has the
respect and praise from his team, sponsors, competitors, fans,
promoters, announcers, friends, and family - he is unfazed by
the set backs in life, and is always looking to accelerate
forward with a smile. There's is many reasons to love TJ - his
team made a list of the top 19. One of the reasons is so good,
it made the list twice!
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor - Why we love
TJ!
The rest of the 2008 schedule
will be a wait and see strategy for TJ Hartman Racing. The team
is excited about the accomplishments of the rookie season, and
would not mind if 2008 was extended a while longer. The team is
very grateful for the support from our great sponsors who helped
make it all possible, and we encourage you to show
your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Wait and See!
TJ Hartman Racing
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ and his team prepare for more!
Puyallup, WA - September 14, 2008...
Looking to further an already successful rookie season, TJ is
preparing his Wesmar powered Maxim to fulfill a journey that
started several years ago. Last season, the Emerald Ridge High
School student was too young to compete at the Grays Harbor
Raceway, and ultimately, the inaugural Fred Brownfield Memorial
race. Not so this year. TJ has been waiting many years to
race for, and now in honor of, a man that referred to many of
the drivers, as his racers.
TJ describes what it means to him to compete at the 2nd annual
Fred Brownfield Memorial - "It means a lot to me to race at
this race, because he treated us all like family. It feels
great to race at the track where we became friends, and where we
both planned for me to race someday. I finally got my chance
this year, and it's been a lot of fun. I'm proud to have earned
my Rookie of the Year at the track that Fred built, and where
I've kind of grown up."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ at the
GHR with Fred's #92 looking over him
The two day event is
scheduled as part of the 2008 ASCS Northwest Series, and along
with all of the top Northwest contingent of drivers, will be
several Nationally recognized names. TJ continues: "This has
been a great year for me, and I'm ready for more. I made a plan
before we started this year, and this(the Fred Brownfield
Memorial) is part of it. These guys are all good, and I'm
looking forward to being on the same track with them and racing
in honor of Fred. He teased me a lot, and we had a lot of fun.
I can't wait to be part of another story about him."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ running
side by side with 2008 GHR Champion Jay Cole
The team took this past
weekend off from a planned non-wing race to prepare for the
memorial event. TJ finishes: "We just decided to focus on the
Fred Brownfield Memorial, so we spent the week going through the
car, and double checking everything. I'm excited to get out
there. The ASCS races are a lot of fun, and I know this weekend
will be special for a lot of people, myself included."
2008 has proved successful for TJ and his team. The opportunity
for TJ to compete at the Grays Harbor Raceway, and in honor of
the man that referred to TJ as one of his racers, is
the culmination of many years of planning, hard work, laughs,
and heartaches. The memories of Fred live on, and so do his
racers, along with what they achieved together. The team
is grateful for what they have, including the memories, and we
ask that each of you show your enthusiasm for Fred, and the
team, by supporting those who support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway Fred Brownfield Memorial -
September 19th & 20th
TJ Hartman Racing
9/7/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - One of the young fans at the Grays Harbor Raceway
enjoying the drivers seat!
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Hangs On For the Ride!
Puyallup, WA - September 6, 2008...
Fighting an ill handling car, TJ rode his Wesmar powered Maxim
to an 11th place finish in the Season Championship race at the
Grays Harbor Raceway. The finish wasn't what the team had hoped
for to end the final race in the weekly competition series, but
considering the obstacles he had to overcome, he proved once
again he's well beyond the expectations the team set at the
beginning of the year.
The 17 car field was lined up on points for the season, and TJ
was lined up 5th place in the trophy dash. TJ describes
the plan for the evening: "We decided to use the trophy dash to
test a couple of things on the setup. It didn't work, and I
finished 6th. But that was good, because I wanted to start on
the outside row anyway. The track was tacky, and we figured it
would stay that way, so rather than try and fight for the
bottom, it was going to be nice to have the top to work with on
the start. I hoped I could pick up some positions on the
start."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ
strapping in for the final night of weekly competition
The pressure was off for the
Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations,
Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder Coating, Performance Coatings,
sprint car team, as TJ had already secured the Rookie of the
Year award, and was pretty much locked in to 5th place in the
points standings by simply taking the green flag for the main
event. TJ gets started: "I just tried to concentrate on
getting a good finish, and staying clear of any wrecks. The
track stayed real tacky, but it was pretty smooth, so I knew it
was going to be fast. We changed the gear for the main event,
and freed the car up a little. I messed up in the warm up laps,
and got the car hopping again. Something happened, because on
the start the car felt like it was going to tip over. I rode
the top in the first corner, and made a couple of passes, but I
knew something was wrong. On the second lap, I just about
crashed, and caused a yellow. They pushed me in the pits, and I
told the crew something was wrong on the right rear. I thought
maybe the shock came off, but the crew said the bar had
collasped. They cranked some turns in it, and sent me back
out."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports - TJ Riding Low On the Tacky Track
While TJ assumed a position
at the back of the field, the crew made a dash for some spare
parts in case of a break in the action. TJ continues. "The
turns in the torsion bar helped, and I was able to pass a couple
of cars. There was another yellow, and I went in to see if they
could do some more. We replaced the right rear shock instead,
but it didn't help. I just tried to drive it and hoped for the
best." The handling on the car was evident for all to see, but
despite the aggravation, TJ managed to pass cars, using the
bottom and the top to make his moves. "I got hung up behind
another car having wing problems, and ended up getting lapped,
but I followed the leader around him, and tried to hang on!" TJ
exclaims. "The problem kept getting worse, but I finished the
race and was running pretty fast. I dyno'd the shocks today,
and tested the bars. The right rear shock we put on got
junked, and the bar was bad. I test the shocks every week, but
I think the hop in warm up laps is what caused the whole problem
with the bar, and that caused the shock problem. I'm just happy
to bring the car home in one piece. I haven't had something
that hard to drive since the time I didn't have power steering!
At least then the setup was good!"
The team now has an open schedule, and will look at running some
different venues to fill out the rest of the year. TJ showed
the prowess of a veteran in his rookie season, and made his
team, fans, competitors, and supporters, proud of his
abilities. Watch for a write up on TJ's successful rookie
season at the Grays Harbor Raceway soon. The team is grateful
for the support from our sponsors, and we encourage you to show
your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Coming Soon!
TJ Hartman Racing
9/5/08
Jerry Nelson Photography - TJ
getting his Wesmar powered Maxim Wheels
Up!
TJ Hartman Racing - UPDATE
- TJ Prepares for Season Championship Night!
Puyallup, WA - September 4, 2008...
The final regular season race for TJ in his Wesmar powered Maxim
is this Saturday, September 6th, at the Grays Harbor Raceway in
Elma, Wa. The 16 year old Emerald Ridge High School Junior is
sitting solid in 5th place in the season championship standings,
and will compete in the trophy dash and main event on the final
night of weekly competition.
Leading the Rookie of the Year standings, TJ describes his
feelings leading into the last regular race of the season: "It
feels like the racing season just started, and it went by way too
fast. We've had a lot of fun, and it's been really cool having my
family, friends, and supporters get the chance to see me race a
sprint car. It feels really good to know they're watching and
cheering for me."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ in ASCS
Northwest competition
The Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A
BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder
Coating, Performance Coatings, sprint car team is full of
confidence as they prepare to put a cap on the 2008 Grays Harbor
Raceway season. TJ continues: "We had a plan for 2008, and I'd
say we're right where we expected to be. I'm getting more
comfortable, and we're making good decisions. Things have gone
pretty good this year."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports
The weather is looking great
for this weekend, and TJ Hartman Racing wants to encourage
everyone to come out to the Grays Harbor Raceway for Season
Championship Night and cheer on your favorite driver. The team is
also grateful for the support from our sponsors, and we encourage
you to show your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who
support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - September 6th!
TJ Hartman Racing
9/1/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor
- TJ signing autographs for the fans at the drivers meet & greet
TJ Hartman Racing - UPDATE - TJ Salutes the Fans!
Puyallup, WA - August 31, 2008...
On a weekend where he wasn't scheduled to compete, TJ drove his Wesmar powered
Maxim to an 11th place A-main finish in the ASCS Northwest Series Night
Before the Outlaws event at the Grays Harbor Raceway. The last minute
decision to race was rewarding for the 16 year old, as he earned the right to
salute the fans in the traditional 4 wide parade lap, by making the A-main event
in the traveling series.
It wasn't an easy task though. A poor pill draw, and a little slip in the heat
race had TJ scrambling to gain ground for the heat race transfer spot. TJ
describes the early events of the evening: "My car felt really good in hot
laps, but when we pushed off for the start of the heat, I could hear we broke a
header. It was still running OK, so I got a pretty good start, and on the
second lap was right behind the 2nd place car when he almost spun. I lifted,
and lost all my momentum, and then a few laps later I made a little mistake
going into (turn) 3 and everybody went by me. I was lucky there was a yellow
with two laps to go, and I ended up making the pass to the 4th spot. That was
enough to get me in the A-main. I was pretty happy because I raced my way into
the main event."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports -
Gassing it up under green!
The Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc.,
Advanced Powder Coating, Performance Coatings sprint car team has been making
some good decisions on chasing the track conditions, and the Labor Day weekend
event was no exception. TJ continues: "I wanted to make a couple of changes
for the main, and I talked with my crew and and we felt that was the way to go.
I think we hit it pretty good. I definitely was getting faster as we went, and
I could put the car anywhere on the track - low, high, and the middle. I've
been watching the track more, and it is definitely paying off."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ in the #19 lined up
for the traditional 4 wide Salute to the Fans
The points from the heat race lined TJ up in
the 8th row for the main event, slotting him 15th in the 20 car field filled
with ASCS Northwest standouts, including current points leader Jared Ridge, Jayme
Barnes, Roger Crockett, Brock Lemley, Henry VanDam, Ricky Fauver, and more, not
to mention former World of Outlaw regular Danny Lasoski. TJ finishes the
night: "I got a decent start, and moved up a couple of spots. I was just
trying to concentrate and not make any mistakes. Brock(Lemley) got by me, and
then the track started clearing out, and I could feel the car getting pretty
good. I moved around, and just tried to time my passes good. I lost some
momentum when I was making the pass by Jay(Cole) with just a couple of laps
left, and I was wishing the race was about 50 laps long. It went by too fast.
I ended up 11th, so I was pretty happy about that. Those guys are tough, and I
felt like I did a pretty good job running with them with that many green flag
laps. I'm not ready for the season to be over!"
The next race for TJ Hartman Racing is Championship Night on September 6th at
the Grays Harbor Raceway. The young rookie has been showing he is capable of
competing at this level, and the compliments and support from his fans and
competitors keeps him coming back. The team is having fun, and we encourage you
to show your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Grays Harbor
Raceway - September 6th!
8/24/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - TJ Hotlapping the Grays Harbor Raceway
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Scores a Perfect 10!
Puyallup, WA - August 23, 2008...
Starting the main event from 8 rows back, TJ pushed his Wesmar
powered Maxim to the limits, passing 10 cars to record a 6th
place finish. The Grays Harbor Raceway served up another
cowboy-up racing surface, and the 16 year old used the
experience and lesson from last week to his advantage.
The night started off deep in a hole with a poor pill draw,
relegating him to the back row of the heat race. TJ explains
the beginning of the night: "I knew it was going to be a long
night when they drew my pill. The track was really rough, and
the last thing I wanted to do was hurt the car again, especially
for a heat race. I just tried to ride it out, and finished
8th. They decided to work the track after we ran the heats, and
that gave me a chance to ride out on the track on the quad and
look at it up close. It was still really soft, and I knew it
was going to get rough again. We decided to make some changes,
and I kept watching the track all night to see where other guys
were running."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
The Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A
BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder
Coating, Performance Coatings, race team scratched their heads,
reviewed their notes, measured, and made some adjustments -
hoping to outguess the track conditions. TJ continues: "I
actually felt pretty comfortable going out. We freed the car up
a ton, and I just tried to concentrate on what I needed to do.
I got a really good start, and just kept moving forward. I
biked it pretty good down low in turn 1, and decided to move up
the track at that end. It was working really good in 1 and 2 up
high, but I never really did figure out turns 3 and 4. It was
rough. I made some good passes and timed the lapped cars really
good, so I was happy about that."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ
Gassing it Up in the A-main event at GHR
The adjustments made by the
team were working, as the teen driver tried to chase down the
more experienced leaders. TJ finishes the night: "The car kept
getting better and better, and I could see guys in the top 5 in
front of me. I pulled a big wheelie off turn 4 towards the end
of the race, and that was kinda cool. My (Wesmar) engine was
pulling good. I tried a pass for 5th place, but it was too
close, and I ended up finishing 6th. I was pretty happy about
that, but mostly I was surprised that I wasn't even tired. I
had power steering oil all over my legs, but my arms felt good,
and I felt like I could have ran all night. It was a lot of
fun."
The next scheduled race for TJ Hartman Racing is the Grays
Harbor Raceway Season Championship Night on September 6th. The
team is not quite ready to see the end of the 2008 racing
season, but everyone on the team is more than satisfied with the
way TJ's rookie year in the sprint car has gone so far. The
team is also grateful to our sponsors for helping us get this
far, and we encourage you to show your enthusiasm for the team
by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - The Grays Harbor Raceway - September
6th!
TJ Hartman Racing
8/21/08
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports - TJ showing the camera a new view
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - Back on all fours!
Puyallup, WA - August 21, 2008...
Nursing a bruised knee, and with a sting to his pride, TJ has
his Wesmar powered Maxim ready to return to action at the Grays
Harbor Raceway this Saturday. The team went through the gambit
of emotions, as the 16 year old youngster took a ride that was
unplanned, resulting in a damaged race car, and a hard lesson
learned.
Last weeks crash is now behind the team, but not without the
reminders of what can happen in an instant in sprint car
racing. TJ describes what it took to repair the damage: "The
car took some damage, but not as much as I did. Every new piece
I put back on the car was a reminder of my mistake. It's all
back together now. It took a lot of parts and some welding, but
it was worth fixing. We could have just used our other car, but
I wanted to put this one back together. I've thought about the
whole thing, and all I can do now is just learn from it."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - GHR
safety crew on the scene
TJ walked away from
the flip with little more than a scrape and bruise. The safety
and tow truck crew were very protective of the teenager, and
took extra precaution to insure he was OK. TJ continues: "I'm
really surprised how I didn't move around at all during the
flip. My (Butlerbuilt) seat and (Hooker Harness) belts did
their job, and all I got was a bruise on my knee. We looked
later, and my knee guard wasn't really covering one of the
fittings good enough, so I took the time to fabricate a new
mount, and it's covered better now. I want to thank Butlerbuilt
and Hooker Harness for keeping me safe, and especially the
safety crew. They said I was upside down for a little while, so
when they tipped me back over, they made me sit there for a
minute to make sure the blood didn't rush out of my head and
have a problem. That was pretty cool."
John from FletcherMotorsports captured a great sequence of
photos from the crash. The team would like to thank him for his
discretion in asking permission to post the pictures in light of
the immediate emotions surroundings a torn up race car. He's
the best, and the team does not mind sharing the moments of
pain, concern, and anguish. We're better for it. More pictures
can be seen by clicking on the link below and scrolling forward.
http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i297/FletcherMotorsports/2008%20Racing/GHR%20Aug%2016/?action=view¤t=080816_0356.jpg
The next race for TJ Hartman Racing is this Saturday, August
23rd, at the Grays Harbor Raceway. The team is excited to get
back on the track. Please show your enthusiasm for TJ and his
race team by supporting those who support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - August 23rd!
TJ Hartman Racing
8/18/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - The 19 crew making some changes
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Flips Out!
Puyallup, WA - August 16, 2008...
A night that started out with good things happening, ends in a
first for TJ in his Wesmar powered Maxim. Unfortunately it was
not the first the team had been hoping for. An unusually rough
track surface at the Grays Harbor Raceway proved too tough for
TJ to keep the shiny side up, and he officially claimed his
first flip in a race car. Adding insult was the fact it
happened in the warm up laps where TJ was slated to start the
main event from the pole position.
The night got off to a great start with a front row pill draw
for the heat race, and headed down hill from there. TJ tells
the story: "We were fast again right from hot laps. We
adjusted the car just a little bit for the heat race, and I was
really confident. The start was called back, and they moved me
back a row for the restart. I'm really not sure what they
wanted me to do, but eventually I guess I'll figure out who they
want starting the race, because it sure wasn't me. I passed a
car in the first lap, and ended up second, so I got to be in the
trophy dash. We decided to try something in the set up, and it
felt pretty good. I finished second again, but pulled a 1 pill
for the main event, so that was pretty good, and we just focused
on making the right changes for the main."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - Start of
the heat race
The track stayed moist and
rough despite the hot weather, and TJ waited for his chance to
lead the field to the green flag from the pole position. TJ
continues: "I don't know what happened, but the warm up laps
stayed green for a long time. I ran one lap down low, and
decided to try and run another lap up high. The light was still
green and guys were passing the pace truck at full speed and it
was kinda crazy. When I went into turn one, the car started
hopping, and I knew I was going over. It was just to rough to
be up there, and I should have just focused on the bottom. It
was my mistake, and it was a costly lesson for my team. The
safety crew took their time getting me back over, and they were
really good about asking if I was OK because I was upside down
for so long."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports
The damage to the car was too
much to continue for the night. TJ describes what comes next:
"We've got some work to do to fix this car. We've got the other
car, but this one is fixable, it's just going to take some
work. I missed a great chance to win my first main event and
heat race at Grays Harbor. I guess the good thing is all I have
is a couple of bumps on my elbow and knee, so we're happy for
that. It was a crazy night, and I wish I could have it back.
It was a tough lesson."
The team is grateful for the concern shown to TJ by the safety
crew, fans, and those friends who checked on him. We encourage
you to show your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who
support us.
TJ Hartman Racing
8/10/08
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher
Motorsports - TJ running on a fair weather day
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - Rain spoils the day.
Puyallup, WA - August 9, 2008...
This weekends weather would not cooperate, and after barely
pulling out of the shop with the Wesmar powered Maxim in tow,
the team received the dreaded call that the evenings race had
been canceled. It was a disappointment to the entire team, as
the previous week off had everyone anxious to get back on
the track.
TJ describes the disappointment: "We were hoping for the best.
I think it would have been fun to run in front of the crowd with
the fair going on too. I was looking forward to that." The
canceled race was scheduled to be run alongside the Grays Harbor
County Fair, with an abbreviated format based on drivers
points. TJ keeps his sense of humor amid the disappointment,
and states with his trademark smile: "I guess it's just another
race where they canceled the dash and I didn't get to run!"
The next scheduled race for TJ Hartman Racing is August 16th at
the Grays Harbor Raceway. The team is hungry to get back to the
race track and TJ's fans, where we can encourage everyone to
show their enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who
support us.
Next scheduled stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - August 16th!
TJ Hartman Racing
8/4/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - TJ signing autographs for his young fans
TJ Hartman Racing - Never far
from the action!
Puyallup, WA - August 8, 2008...
TJ used the time off from his own racing program to help out
some other Northwest teams as they competed at Skagit Speedway
this past weekend. The exposure to other race programs and
venues can be a valuable experience, and TJ chose to make the
most of it by attending the two day show without his drivers
suit.
TJ describes the experience: "I had a really great time. Being
able to work on other cars and with different people like John,
Mitch, and Muffin(Jon), you can see what they do, and learn from
it. Everyone I helped likes to have fun, and that was pretty
cool. Our crew likes to laugh and joke around, and so do these
guys. I felt at home with everyone up there, and one of the
teams I helped finished 3rd, so they invited me to be in the
group picture. That was pretty cool. I was missing my car and
crew though. It's really hard to watch, but I just told myself
I could learn by watching too."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports - TJ in
action at the Grays Harbor Raceway on July 26th
The next race for TJ Hartman
Racing is this coming weekend, August 9th, at the Grays Harbor
Raceway. The Grays Harbor County Fair is also going on through
the weekend, and a paid admission to the fair will get you in
the races Saturday night for free. The annual county fair is a
great time for the entire family, and capping off a day at the
fair with some ultra fast sprint car action on the high banked
clay oval, will make for a perfect hot August Saturday. The
weather is looking great for the weekend, so makes plans to
spend the day, and night, at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and
Raceway in Elma. The entire TJ Hartman Racing team hopes to see
you there!
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - August 9th!
TJ Hartman Racing
7/28/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - TJ waiting for hot laps to begin
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Races the Race Track
Puyallup, WA - July 26, 2008...
TJ followed some great advice and drove his Wesmar powered Maxim
to a 4th place finish at the Grays Harbor Raceway this week. An
overcast sky had bad weather threatening, but it also made for a
fast race track, and TJ showed he can run with the throttle wide
open as well. At one point in the main event he was sitting in
second place, sandwiched between two drivers that have combined
for 10 track championships at the premier facility.
Luck was on TJ's side at the beginning of the night when he
pulled a #2 pill in the ASCS formatted series. That placed him
on the pole for the second heat. TJ describes the heat race
action: "It's been awhile since I drew a good starting spot.
The board showed me second fastest in hot laps, and I knew we
were fast. I didn't get a good start though, and went into the
first corner in second. But I was able to hold it wide open for
all of the laps, and finished second. I was disappointed that
they canceled the (trophy)dash. That's the second time this
year we've done good enough to be in the dash and they cancel
it. I like being on the track, and was looking forward to
trying some stuff on the car."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor - TJ running
wide open on the high banked GHR clay oval
The pill draw for the first
four rows of the main event wasn't so lucky for TJ, as he drew a
6 - placing the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut
Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder Coating,
Performance Coatings, sprinter outside row 3 for the start. TJ
continues: "I watched the track, and figured it was going to
stay pretty tacky. We made an adjustment, but we should have
went a little further, because I was pretty loose right from the
start. After the last race, I was reminded to race the track
instead of the other cars, and I just kept trying to remember
that. I fell back to 7th on the start, and then started passing
some cars as we went along. My car was working the best around
the bottom, and about half way through the race I was sitting in
third. There was a yellow for the car in front of me, and
there I was sitting right behind the leader. I got a really
good restart, and held onto the second spot for a couple of
laps, but I was just too loose and got passed when I tried to go
up high. I ended up finishing 4th, and felt pretty good because
that was about all we had for them."
The night was considered a success for the team, as the 16 year
old Puyallup, Wa youngster proved once again that he has the
confidence to compete at this level. TJ puts the finishing
touches on the evening. "During one of the red flags, Jay Cole
had stopped beside me and told me I was doing a good job. That
felt good because I had just passed him. Then after the races
there was a line of people a mile long waiting for my
autograph. That's a lot of fun. We had some of the kids that
came to get an autograph help us load the car, which is pretty
cool because it makes them smile."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor - TJ signing autographs for some of the young fans
The next scheduled race for
TJ Hartman Racing is August 9th at the Grays Harbor Raceway.
The team is off to a good start for the second half of the 2008
racing season, and eager to continue developing TJ's skills
behind the wheel. The compliments from TJ's competitors,
combined with his never ending smile, keeps everyone coming back
for more. We encourage you to show your enthusiasm for the team
by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - August 9th!
7/14/08
TJ following Mid-Season and 7
time track Champion Jay Cole - Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - Mid-Season Championship race ends early for TJ
Puyallup, WA - July 12, 2008...
TJ and his crew are beginning to get a handle on chasing the
race track, but a rookie mistake, coupled with an undiagnosed
mechanical problem, ended the night just as it was getting
started. The Grays Harbor Raceway Mid-Season Championship race
had the competitors battling each other, as well as a tough dry
slick race track.
The format for the evening had the top 6 in points line straight
up for the trophy dash, where TJ started 5th. He describes the
early part of the night: "Because there was no heat races, they
ran us through two sets of hot laps. That was pretty cool
because we got a chance to try some things, and it worked pretty
good. But the track was really dry in the dash, and I finished
right where I started. It was so dusty I couldn't see the car
right in front of me. The line up for the main was based on a
pill draw again, and I drew a six. That made me a little
nervous because there really wasn't anything to get hold of on
the top."
A packed house waits for the dash to begin -
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
The track crew worked
diligently to get some moisture back in the track, but by the
time the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut
Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder Coating,
Performance Coatings, Wesmar powered Maxim hit the track for the
main event, it was clear the best hope was for the track to take
some rubber for adhesion. TJ describes what happened next:
"The track condition didn't bother me because it's the same for
everyone. I feel like we're making the right changes to the
car, and I just tried to concentrate on getting a good start and
finding my rhythm. I watched the race before us, and I figured
it would start taking rubber and we would be OK. I got a really
good start and was able to get down to the bottom in turn 1, but
I just screwed up and drove it in way to hard. I spun out, and
ended up tipping over on my side. Then somehow I ended up back
on my wheels. The safety crew told me I had some damage, so
they pushed me into the pits. The crew couldn't get the damage
fixed, but said I would be OK, so they pushed me back out. For
some reason the car wouldn't refire, so I pulled back off the
track and went to the trailer. We're really not sure what
happened, but we'll look at it this week and get it
fixed."
The team was able to take a couple of positive moments away from
evening. The decisions being made to adjust to changing track
conditions is becoming easier. And the roar of the packed house
in the grandstands could be heard loud and clear in the pits
when the injured race car was pushed back out on the track -
testament to the support TJ is getting from the fans. He
finishes the night: "I know everyone works really hard for me,
and I let them down tonight. The track ended up being pretty
good just like I thought, and I was able to watch some of the
guys and see what I need to do. I know I'll get there like Jay
and Ricky do. They make it look easy."
The next scheduled race for TJ Hartman Racing is July 26th at
the Grays Harbor Raceway. The team remains in 5th place for
championship points due to some misfortune of a couple of other
teams on the evening. The team is motivated for the second half
of the season by the roar of the fans, and appreciative of the
support we receive. We encourage you to show your enthusiasm
for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - July 26th!
TJ Hartman Racing
7/6/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - Lap 1 blast off leads to good finish for TJ!
Puyallup, WA - July 5, 2008...
TJ's confidence is starting to show, and on an evening that
started off with rain and poor pill draws, TJ didn't let
anything dampen his spirits. A week after record setting
temperatures and a super dry track, the polar opposite occurred
and the team had to set up for the tackiest track of the year so
far. The Wesmar powered Maxim proved up to the task, and TJ
overcame an 8th place starting spot in the main event to record
his best main event finish of the year - a 4th place run. The
confidence was showing in hot laps and the heat race, and TJ
gave the fans at the Grays Harbor Raceway some excitement to
warm them up.
Rain and drizzle while the cars packed the track had TJ loading
on the tear-offs and preparing to get ready to stand on the
gas. Not knowing what to expect on a super hooked up track, TJ
knew he had his work cut out for him with the pill draw. He
describes the beginning of the night: "The track was super fast
in hot laps, and it was the first time I've ever been able to
flat foot a sprint car every lap. I started 4th in the heat
race and went up high and came out of turn two in second. I
just held the throttle down the entire way. I was pretty happy,
because with the passing points system I was looking pretty
good. I ended up pulling an 8 for the main event redraw, and I
knew it was going to be tough because the track was so tacky.
It just locked everyone down."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
TJ lined up for the main
event on the 4th row outside, but it was only for the parade lap
and into the first corner. When the green flag dropped, he
drove to the top of the track in turn one and emerged from
corner two in 4th place. TJ continues: "I knew that was
probably my best chance to gain some ground. I just went up
high and never lifted. I wasn't sure how many cars I had
passed, because my tear-offs were stuck and I had to wipe my
visor with my hand for 2 laps. When I finally got one pulled I
could see I was in 4th place. There was a yellow after a few
laps, and on the restart I got passed by one car. I have to
work on protecting the bottom a little better, and keeping my
position on the restarts."
The remaining 24 laps of the main event went by fast for the A1A
BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Lacey Auto Licensing, Advanced
Powder Coating, Rockslinger, ASCS 360 Sprinter, as the field
stayed green until the checkered flag dropped. TJ gained the
lost position back when the 2nd place car cut down a right rear
tire with two laps to go and limped around the top to keep the
field green until the end. "The car was setup really good and I
was gaining some ground on the cars in front of me. I wish the
race would have been longer. I just get more comfortable as I
go. It was definitely fun running wide open like that.
That track is fast, and it's even faster when it's hooked
up!"
The next scheduled race for TJ Hartman Racing is the Mid-Season
Championships on July 12th at the Grays Harbor Raceway. The
team is in 5th place in the season points, and TJ is leading the
Grays Harbor Raceway Rookie of the Year standings. He hopes to
keep the momentum going as the summer heats up. We encourage
you to show your enthusiasm for the teams momentum by supporting
those who support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - July 12th!
TJ Hartman Racing
6/30/08
TJ talking with the fans after the race -
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Survives the Heat Wave
Puyallup, WA - June 29, 2008...
An unseasonably hot evening in the Northwest had temperatures
in the 90's, and allowed the fans to watch the action in
normal summer attire. It also made for track conditions that
would test the drivers skills. After a week off, TJ returned
to action at the Grays Harbor Raceway, and continues to
progress in his rookie season. The hot action on the track
was proceeded earlier in the day with a car show display in
nearby Shelton, WA.
The owners of Olsen Furniture are great race fans, and the TJ
Hartman Racing team was fortunate to be included in the
publicity for the sales event that included daily radio spots
preceding the event mentioning the drivers names, along with
the radio station doing a live remote and interviewing the
drivers on the air. "I had fun at the show." TJ states. "I
like doing these kind of things where we can display the car
and talk with people about what we do."
The night started off with the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A
BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced
Powder Coating team pulling a starting position deep in the
heat race field. TJ provides the details: "It's tough when
you pull a high pill number and only have a few laps to make
up some ground. I missed an opportunity to take advantage
when a couple of cars had problems on the starts and I got
moved up a row from 6th to 4th. I basically slid high going
into the first corner and let a guy get past me." The pit
area was filled with enough cars to warrant a B-main event,
and it looked like TJ was going to have to dig himself out of
a hole if he was going to make the main event. TJ continues:
"Luck was kind of on my side when we found out we were going
to start the A-main without running the B."
TJ talking with Rod Olsen of Olsen Furniture -
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
TJ lined up for the start
of the main event in the 11th position, and passed two cars
through turns one and two. The second lap took several
tries to get complete as drivers struggled to keep the cars
hooked up on the sun baked dry slick track. TJ describes the
remainder of the night: "On one of the restarts I hit the
wall going down the front stretch. There was a yellow for
someone else, and I decided to pull in so my crew could look
for any damage. It was a pretty hard hit, and I wanted to
make sure everything was OK. They said everything was fine,
so I went back out and lined up at the back. The race went
green the rest of the way, and that gave me a really good
chance to be comfortable in the car. I made some good passes,
and tried some different stuff to try and get towards the
front. When it was over, I wasn't sure how many cars I
passed. We thought maybe we had another top 10, but they
scored me 11th, so I was satisfied."
The 16 year old rookie critics his performance in the Wesmar
powered Maxim sprint car: "I'm still struggling to make the
car roll the corners, getting going faster, and figuring out
what to tell the crew to stay ahead of the track. But I like
these dry slick tracks, and maybe one of these times I won't
do something that makes me have to restart in the back of the
pack. It's fun passing cars, but I'd rather be lapping them
instead!"
The next race for TJ Hartman Racing is July 5th at the Grays
Harbor Raceway. TJ and his team are excited that the early
summer schedule includes some consecutive weeks to keep honing
his skills. TJ enjoys talking about his racing and his
sponsors, and we encourage you to show your enthusiasm for the
team by supporting those who support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - July 5th!
TJ Hartman Racing
6/14/08
TJ enjoying a moment with
the fans - Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - TJ Drives Back to a Top 5 at the Grays Harbor Raceway
Puyallup, WA - June 14, 2008...
With the 2008 racing season one third of the way over, TJ is
showing he can work through adversity. Despite a lap 3 miscue
that resulted in a bent torsion tube, the Puyallup, WA.
youngster drove his Wesmar powered Maxim from deep in the
field and brought home his second top 5 finish of his rookie
season at the Grays Harbor Raceway.
The night started off with TJ falling back in his heat race.
TJ describes the beginning of the night: "The track was
pretty tacky and my car was not working on the bottom. On a
restart in the heat race I wanted to run high, and I ended up
letting another car get around me. It was just a dumb mistake
on my part. I finished pretty strong, but it put me way back
in the line up for the main event." TJ's bobble in the heat
race forced him to line up inside row 5 of the 9 row grid for
the main event in the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell,
Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder
Coating, Performance Coatings, 360 sprint car.
A wild start to the main event had TJ scrambling to maintain
his starting position. TJ explains: "The track was still real
tacky for the main. I guess everyone wanted the bottom, but I
would have gladly swapped them starting positions for the
outside row. It got pretty crazy, and I just spun out on the
third lap. I got hit by another car trying to miss me, and
ended up bending both of my wings a little bit, and one of my
front torsion tubes was bent too. The push truck guy said he
thought it would be OK, so I lined up at the back, and tried
to relax." On a tacky track, TJ would have his work cut out
for him if he wanted to get back towards the front.
TJ lining up to go green
after his spin - Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
TJ finishes the night: "I
just could not get the car to work on the bottom. But I
wasn't really any better on the top either. I kept getting
better as we went along, and I was wishing the race was 100
laps and stay green all the way! The last 5 laps was really
cool. I was dicing pretty good with another car, and we were
moving forward and passing cars! It was a lot of fun. I wish
it would have lasted longer. On the last restart they came on
the radio and said they were shortening the race to 25 laps,
so I knew I had to get some more cars fast. After I spun out,
all I wanted to do was get back to the front. My crew works
really hard for me, and I kind of let them down earlier. I
think they were pretty happy in the end, because when I
went to change my clothes, they played a joke on me by tying
my shoes together in about a hundred knots!" TJ adds with a
smile and laugh: "That means they were happy with me because
they were playing games!"
TJ racing with a 20+ year GHR icon and
completing another pass late in the race -
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
TJ Hartman Racing returns
to the Grays Harbor Raceway on June 28th, and will be
showing the car and greeting people earlier on the same day at
Olsen Furniture in Shelton from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. The team
is enjoying the season and looking forward to getting back on
the track. We encourage you to come out for the races, and
share in the fun and excitement. We also ask that you show
your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who support
us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - June 28th!
TJ Hartman Racing
6/1/08
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
TJ Hartman Racing - UPDATE -
TJ Wins his First Trophy Dash!
Puyallup, WA - May 31, 2008...
Using the experience he gained from the ASCS Northwest Series the
previous week, and gradually finding the edge of his own comfort
zone, TJ pushed his Wesmar powered Maxim to the teams first trophy
dash win. Then he capped the weekend off with a good drive in the
A-main event at the Grays Harbor Raceway, leading the first 6 laps
before surrendering the lead to the eventual winner.
The night started off strong with a great drive in the heat race -
starting outside row two and driving his way to a second place
finish. TJ describes the early events of the evening: "The car was
fast all night! These Wesmar engines are called Bixby Bullets,
and it was just that. I had all the power I needed. I was
hitting my marks really good in turns one and two, but I struggled
most of the night in three and four. There was a hole entering
(turn) three, and I just wasn't getting through it very good. I
made the pass for second in the heat race, and it felt really good."
Photo Courtesy of Fletcher Motorsports
The points earned from the heat
race were enough to place the Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell,
Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger Inc., Advanced Powder Coating,
Performance Coatings, sprinter into the trophy dash. TJ continues:
"I drew a good pill and got to start on the pole beside JJ (Hickle).
That made me really comfortable, because we raced so much together
in quarter midgets. It was a lot of fun to get to race really close
with him again. My car was set up perfect, and I was getting more
and more confident to race close with these guys. I was pretty
nervous during the interview and forgot some names to thank, but I
was happy my sister Nicki got to come down and stand with me in the
picture, and the crowd was really cheering for me, so that was
cool."
The ASCS heat race points and pill draw format lined TJ up on the
pole of the main event, and he set a fast pace for the first handful
of laps before surrendering the lead. "I did pretty well for the
first 12 laps." TJ describes. "I made the call on my set up that
was just too loose, and then I just couldn't get relaxed, and I
ended up spinning out about half way through the race. I was
disappointed, but I restarted in the back, and passed a few cars and
ended up in ninth place. I'm getting more comfortable with the car
and the track, but I've got to work on reading the track a little
better before the race. I didn't expect it to slick off that much,
but I'm still pretty happy with how I did, and my team made the car
look great like always."
The next scheduled race for TJ Hartman Racing is June 14th at the
Grays Harbor Raceway. The team is excited about TJ's ability, and
the maturity that he is showing at such a young age. If the sound
of the cheers from the grandstands, and the compliments from TJ's
competitors are any indication, so is everyone else. The team is
also grateful for the words of encouragement from our sponsors, and
we encourage you to show your enthusiasm for the team by supporting
those who support us.
Next scheduled stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - June 14th!
TJ Hartman Racing
5/30/08
Photo Courtesy of
FletcherMotorsports
TJ Hartman Racing - The
track, the Internet, and an afternoon to show what it's all
about.
Puyallup, WA - May 30, 2008...
The 2008 racing season is just underway in the Pacific
Northwest, and the great fans are turning out in droves to
support their favorite drivers - at the track, and via the
Internet.
TJ Hartman Racing reached another milestone in the month of May,
as it set a new record for traffic through the web site that is
designed and maintained by the 16 year Emerald Ridge High School
Sophomore. In addition to driving and maintaining the ASCS 360
Wesmar powered Maxim, TJ also keeps his web site updated every
week. "I have kind of a routine." TJ explains. "We have a
schedule board in the shop with a list of things to do on the
car. In between that, I post the news on my web site, and
contact my sponsors every week with
the updates."
The Puyallup, WA. youngster knows marketing his sponsors is
important. TJ continues: "We keep track of the traffic in and
out of my web site. It has helped me change the web site around
to focus on the areas people visit the most, and improve the
other areas. My (web site) program is pretty basic, but I'm
hoping to get that updated pretty soon so I can improve the look
of the web site. The pictures are important and show off all of
my great sponsors."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
In addition to making sure he's on the race track every week
displaying his sponsors name, TJ is also setting his car up for
viewing at car shows. He describes his approach: "My
school was having a car show. Most of the kids wanted to show
off their car that they drive everyday. But I pretty much spend
most of my time with the race car, so I asked if I could bring
it in. It's difficult explaining what a sprint car is. Most
people just know them as those things that flip! My
teachers are really interested in what I do, and I have fun
telling them about it."
TJ is quickly learning the importance of keeping his sponsors
name in the foreground. "I love racing!" He says with his
typical grin. "But I like doing things like the car show, and
my web site, where I can show people what it is I do. It's a lot
of fun."
You can visit TJ's web site at
www.TJHartmanRacing.com or catch him at his next scheduled
stop.............The Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, WA - May
31st!
TJ Hartman Racing
5/27/08
Photo Courtesy of
FletcherMotorsports
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE - A pair of B-main finishes on back to back nights.
Puyallup, WA - May 25, 2008...
Running the ASCS Northwest
Series races was not in the 2008 plans for TJ Hartman Racing. But
the desire to be on the race track, and a bit of self confidence
from TJ coupled with words of encouragement from his fellow local
competitors, helped make a change to the original schedule.
TJ describes the weekend: "We decided at the last minute to go ahead
and run one of the nights and just see how it went. The car ran
great and we made some really good changes to the car on Saturday
night so it drove good too." TJ was not able to transfer to the
A-main through his heat race or the B-main qualifier. "I was just
stuck in the back and really wasn't in a position to do anything, so
I decided to just start searching the track to get a feel for doing
different things. If I had known my car worked that good up on the
top, I would have done it a lot earlier."
The finishing result of the first night wasn't impressive, but the
16 year old Puyallup, WA High School Sophmore showed he was
learning, which was the purpose of running this weekend with the big
guns in town. TJ continues: "We worked my dad over pretty good,
and he was happy with what I did the first night, so we decided to
run the second night. I'm a little disappointed I didn't make the
A-main either night because the track was just how I like it, and my
crew worked really hard. But I was able to learn some different
things about how the car reacted, and I think it was a worthwhile
weekend."
The team used the opportunity to spend the entire holiday weekend at
the Grays Harbor Raceway, camping and hanging out with friends. TJ
goes on to describe the off track activities: "It was just like
when we started racing quarter midgets. It felt good to be at the
track all weekend, and I think it was really good experience to do
the maintenance on the car at the track and race two nights in a
row. It was really cool having people come over and talk with us
while we were working on the car. I had a lot of fun, even
though it's a ton of work."
Photo Courtesy of The Nicki
Factor
Racing continues for TJ Hartman
Racing and the Wesmar powered Maxim on May 31st at the Grays Harbor
Raceway. The team is happy with the progress TJ is showing behind
the wheel, and looking forward to using this past weekends
experience to keep gaining ground on the competition. The support
for TJ and his team is apparent just by looking at the fans gathered
around after the races. We encourage you to keep showing
your enthusiasm for the team by supporting those who support us.
Next stop - Grays Harbor
Raceway - May 31st!
5/21/08
TJ - still smiling even after a
DNF at the May 17th race - Photo Courtesy of The Nicki Factor
TJ Hartman Racing - SCHEDULE UPDATE
Puyallup, WA - May 21, 2008...
TJ Hartman Racing has
made a schedule change to include the inaugural race this Saturday
night at the Grays Harbor Raceway for the newly formed ASCS
Northwest Region. The American Sprint Car Series(ASCS) boasts
some of the nations best 360 sprint car drivers in the country,
and the best in the Northwest take to the track this weekend to
kick off the ASCS Northwest 15 race series that includes tracks in
Oregon and Washington for 2008.
"I'm excited!" TJ says with a smile. "We've got the car back
together after last weekend, and there's no sense just waiting
around to race." The mechanical failure last weekend put a
small damper on TJ's rookie season at the Grays Harbor Raceway in
the Wesmar powered Maxim 360 sprint car. TJ continues: "I really
just want to get behind the wheel and turn some laps. They call
these things sprint cars because that's what it is - a sprint.
You've got to figure things out pretty fast in these cars, and
it's hard waiting for another week to get here so I can get back
in the seat."
The original schedule did not include the ASCS Northwest Tour
races, as TJ and his team had hoped to compete in a few non-wing
races. His young age limited his chances to run close to home,
and the nearest opportunities are in California. With the high
fuel prices, the team opted to stick with the original dates
scheduled at the Grays Harbor Raceway, and use a wait and see plan
to fill the rest of the schedule. "We've got some really
supportive fans and sponsors." TJ states. "This will be nice to
add another race close to home where they can get a chance to see
us run."
ASCS Northwest Series Manager Greg Burgess: "We are ecstatic that
TJ and his team are able to make our inaugural weekend. It will
be a great experience for TJ, and great exposure for his
sponsors. TJ is young, but with a quarter midget resume that
includes 4 National championships and over 127 feature main event
wins, I don't think anyone wants him sitting in the stands this
weekend. Running with these guys will add to TJ's short, but
already strong, 360 sprint car resume."
TJ Hartman Racing would like to remind everyone that it is very
easy for the team to get excited and have fun because of the
support of our great sponsors like Rockslinger Inc., Lacey Auto
Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Hooker Harness,
Becklers Mobile Welding, Performance Coatings, Advanced Powder
Coating, Simpson Racing, Parts Plus of Puyallup, Rod End Supply,
and all of the fans, who show their enthusiasm for the team.
Next stop - Grays Harbor Raceway - May 24th!
TJ Hartman Racing
5/19/08
Photo Courtesy of
FletcherMotorsports
TJ Hartman Racing -
UPDATE
Puyallup, WA - May 17, 2008...
This weekends great
weather, and a beautiful race track, ended in disappointment for TJ
Hartman and his race team. A mechanical failure in the front end of
the #19 Wesmar powered Maxim ended the evening on the first lap of
the main event.
A week off from racing had TJ anxious to get behind the wheel of his
Lacey Auto Licensing, A1A BuyNSell, Beach Hut Vacations, Rockslinger
Inc., Advanced Powder Coating, sprint car. "We're really not sure
what happened." TJ explains. "We took the green flag and
everything was fine. Going down the frontstretch to start the
second lap, the steering felt like it just locked up, and then
started to pull to the right real hard. So I just hit the brakes,
and tried to keep it off the wall."
The winged sprint car slid to a stop in turn 1 with the left front
sitting on the ground, and in need of a tow truck. TJ continues:
"The front axle was bent back, and the tie rod and drag link were
both bent too. I never hit anything, so it's kind of confusing what
happened. We're thinking maybe something was weakened in the last
race when I tipped over, but we never saw anything when we prepped
the car. I'm disappointed because the car was really good, and the
track was perfect for me. I really wanted to make some laps this
week."
With a schedule that wasn't set to include the ASCS Northwest Tour
races, TJ may have to go another two weeks before he gets a chance
to tighten his belts and wave the Grays Harbor Raceway push trucks
to go. "I'm just anxious." TJ states while wearing his traditional
smile. "I didn't know it, but one of my friends from California
flew in at the last minute to see me race. He was sitting in the
stands and wanted to surprise me, but never got a chance to really
see me run. He came up to Hanford last year
