TOLEDO OH (11-10-09) - Some people call it silly season; some just call it looking for a ride. Either way, it's that time of year when drivers plot their futures, at least the foreseeable future.
For ARCA RE/MAX Series veteran driver Tom Hessert, that means, "getting yourself out there in front of all the right people in order to get going in all the right directions."
Hessert, who finished eighth in ARCA RE/MAX Series points for the last two seasons, is out beating the bushes trying to keep his race career alive. So far; so good.
"I've actually been able to put a deal together for next year," continued the Cherry Hill, New Jersey driver. "I should be able to make an announcement pretty soon as to the direction we're going. Should be able to announce something before the banquet. Actually, I'm really looking forward to going to the banquet."
In the meantime, Hessert is making the rounds in North Carolina while stepping out on the weekends in the Big Apple.
"I took my girl friend to a Broadway play on Friday night. It was great. We saw, ‘In The Heights'. We stayed right in the city. I was able to get a free hotel room from all the ARCA traveling, so that worked out real well. We walked around the city for a bit Saturday, had a really nice time, and then went to a wedding. I'm back in North Carolina today.
"I'm actually at Grant Enfinger's shop today; he's my roommate - I moved in two or three months ago. I've been down here as much as possible trying to get ready for next year."
Hessert is also looking forward to spending some quality time this off-season with family and friends back home.
"It'll be nice to be a regular face at the family Thanksgiving dinner table. Since I started stock car racing, I've actually been able to be home for Thanksgiving the last two years. Before that, I was always out west running a midget on Turkey Night."
Outside of visiting with family and friends this holiday season, Hessert has another project he'd like to put behind him before the busy race/travel season.
"I've been trying to finish getting my pilot's license. I have about seven hours left to get it, so I hope to be able to finish that up here in the near future. Other than doing the friends and family thing, my goal is to put myself in front of as many racing people as I can."
TOM HESSERT BIO:
Finished 8th in ARCA Racing Series driver points '08 & '09. In 45 career series starts since 2007, has 15 top-10 finishes with career-best 3rd at Toledo Speedway '09. Also finished 5th at Toledo '08, 6th at Salem Speedway '09, 6th at Pocono Raceway '09, 6th at Daytona Int'l Speedway '08, 7th at Springfield mile-dirt '08, 7th at Cayuga Motor Speedway '08, 8th at New Jersey Motorsports Park '09, 8th at Salem '09, 9th at Rockingham Speedway ‘08, 9th at Berlin Raceway '08, 10th at Talladega Superspeedway '09, 10th at Kentucky Speedway '09, 10th at Berlin '09 and 10th at Toledo '08. Menards Pole winner by Ansell at Talladega '09. Also qualified 2nd at Talladega '08, 3rd at Berlin '08, 4th at Salem '08, 5th at Cayuga '08 and 5th at DuQuoin '08. Has led 111 laps in 6 races. Veteran of USAR Pro Cup Series, USAC Sprints & Midgets and Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Finished 3rd in USAC National Midget Series points in 2004. Finished 5th in the Night Before the 500 Midget race '04 & ‘05. Finished 3rd in Belleville Midget Nationals ‘04. Finished 5th in Buckeye Nationals at Eldora Speedway ‘03. Most Improved Driver in USAC National Midgets '03. Father Tom Hessert, Jr is an accomplished road racer and 3-time winner of 24 Hours of Daytona.
