FRANKFORT, Ind. — Sixteen-year-old open-wheel racer Jack Hoyer plans to make his USAC racing debut Feb. 17-19 at Florida’s Bubba Raceway Park.
A graduate of the micro sprint ranks, Hoyer made seven 410 non-winged sprint car starts late last season while winning a pair of micro track championships at Indiana’s U.S. 24 Speedway.
“Gas City and Kokomo were my favorite tracks to run last year,” Hoyer said. “I feel like I learned quite a bit night to night.”
Driving for his father in micros and now the sprint car, Hoyer had no intention of running USAC this year, instead focusing on the local racing scene before making the transition to national events. But an opportunity to drive the Florida events for Bodine-Crow Racing arose.
“Racing against the guys I grew up admiring will be really cool,” Hoyer said. “I’ve studied lots of video from Ocala; the faster guys seem to have a certain line figured out. I want every competitive edge I can get.”
Hoyer will wheel a sprint car fielded by Bodine-Crow Racing.
Kevin Bodine and Lynn Crow have been a big part of Hoyer’s racing career so far. Bodine’s mechanical advice on the micros has helped Hoyer win 44 times during his four-year career. Crow’s Aidex Graphics will be the main sponsor for Hoyer’s first attempt at USAC racing.
“I can’t give him a car like they can,” said Jack Hoyer’s father Chris. “Their budget is above my head. Cole (Bodine) has worked all winter in the shop assembling these cars and they are beautiful, no expense spared masterpieces. These guys have put together a top-tier race team and I’m glad Jack and I get to be a part of it.”
The younger Hoyer has a patient approach to the coming race season.
“Trust the process. Take it one race at a time,” Hoyer said. “I’d like to be a consistent top-seven car at the local level. We’ll mainly run Gas City and Putnamville this year and try to get to that point. We have a lot of great people behind us, friends and sponsors. My dad, of course, and my mom and grandparents have been super supportive. I can’t wait for the season to start. We’re more prepared this year than we ever have been.”