FOREST CITY, NC :: FHR Driver Development racers David Garbo, Jr. and CJ Hulsey swept the top two positions at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday night, scoring the first win of the season for FHR and the first win since the team switched to a Hedgecock Racing Enterprises chassis. It was also the first win for a Hedgecock car at Hickory Motor Speedway in 15 years.
“It was a big win because it was my first career Late Model win,” said Garbo. “It means a lot. I got my first win of the year. Jamie Yelton and Fat Head Racing put a lot of work in to the car so I wouldn’t be here without them. It was a good race. It didn’t take too long to get out front. Once we got the lead, we rode a little bit, saved our tires and pulled away right at the end.”
After starting 13th, Garbo took the lead on lap 28 and led the remaining 72 laps on his way to his first career win. CJ Hulsey finished in second.
“I’m just proud of these guys,” said Jamie Yelton, founder of FHR Driver Development. “The team worked hard and the drivers raced hard all night to earn this 1-2 finish. It was satisfying to watch teammates race each other for the win and do so with so much respect. I just couldn’t be prouder of this entire team.”
Yelton credits the early success this season including a second place finish in the inaugural Dirty Dozen race at Southern National Motorsports Park and a third place finish in the UARA-STARS Series race at Hickory Motor Speedway two weeks ago to several changes in the FHR program.
“Switching to Hedgeock chassis late last year was a big move for us,” comment Yelton. “Working with Jay (Hedgeock) was a great move for this team and it’s paying dividends already. We also changed our engine program to go with F.R.E.D.’s engines over the off season and that move has shown some great power for us as well. We also can’t forget about Blake Carburetion who we’ve been with for a long time.”
Jay Hedgecock, owner of Hedgecock Racing Enterprises was also excited about getting back to victory lane at Hickory Motor Speedway.
“It’s hard to imagine that it’s been so long since we’ve won a race at Hickory,” said Jay Hedgecock, founder of Hedgecock Racing Enterprises. “It’s been 15 years or so since once of our cars won out here at Hickory Motor Speedway so it’s satisfying to win one. I’m also proud of Yelton’s team. They switched to our chassis last year and I’m glad they could get a win with one of our cars. Jamie’s got a lot of talented drivers racing for him who have real bright futures. It’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Hulsey, who battled hard for the win with Garbo in the closing laps would have rather been the one in victory lane but he was proud of the effort of the entire FHR team.
“I would’ve liked to have won,” said Hulsey, who finished in second. “Obviously you don’t come out here to finish second but, if you have to, better to finish second to a teammate. All in all, our car was great, we know what we need from the car moving forward and David (Garbo) raced me clean and gave me a lot of room. I’m sure we’ll get a win here soon. This team gives me awesome racecars and they worked hard. I’m just so proud to be a part of FHR and working with a guy like Jamie Yelton.”
The next race for the FHR Driver Development team will be at the UARA-STARS touring series race at Rockingham Speedway on Saturday, April 13th. Garbo will compete in that race for FHR as well as the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway on April 25th. Hulsey’s next race will be at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 27th.
For more information on FHR Driver Development visit their website at http://www.FHRdriverdevelopment.com/ or look them up on Facebook and twitter. You can also contact FHR by calling (704) 477-4247.