Mini Stock Champ Jake Hinton #9

Full name:
    Jacob Keith Hinton
 
    Spouse:
    single
 
    Children (names and ages):
    none    
 
    Hometown:
    Markle, Indiana
 
    What is your car number and why?
    My car number is 9 after Bill Elliot
 
    Number of years racing:
    The 2011 season was my 7th year of racing.
 
    How did you get started racing?
    I went out on a practice night to help a friend of mine with his mini stock and
saw that Baer Field had started a FWD class. I had a car at home that fit the
rules and the next weekend I was out racing.
 
    What classes of cars have you raced?
    The classes I have raced have been FWDs and mini stocks, although I have turned
many practice laps in modifieds and late models.
 
    Biggest win in your career:
    I would say that the biggest win of my career is winning on International
Harvester night this season. It has always been a race I have wanted to win, I
was able to finish second in the race in 2010, but was finally able to pull off
the win this year.
 
    Worst wreck you have been in:
    The worst wreck I was ever in was the last points race of 2008 at Baer Field
Speedway. I came out of turn 4 way to hard and slid into the wall. The right
front tire of my car hooked in a crack in the wall and the right side climbed
the wall and the turned the car upside down on the front stretch. I slid on the
roof for around 200 feet before the car came to a stop at the end of the front
stretch heading into turn one. I wasnt injured in the wreck and no other cars
got caught up in the mayhem so I was pretty lucky.
 
    Favorite racing memory:
    My favorite racing memory has got to be winning the feature on championship
night this season. It is my favorite because I was able to win the feature event
and the championship on the same night, just a great night.



Favorite track: 
I would have to say my favorite track to race on is probably Plymouth, I love the
high speeds and very tough competition there.

Who are your racing "id0ls"?
Professionally, my favorite driver is Kyle Busch, I like his aggressiveness on the
track and I feel he has accomplished quite a bit for being so young. I also look up
to all short track drivers who work day and night just to get their little bit of
glory on a Saturday night, gotta love it.  

Toughest track to race on: 
I think that the toughest track I have probably raced on is my home track of Baer
Field Speedway.  The worn out asphalt and bumps and cracks make it very difficult to
race on. 

Is there anything about this sport that frustrates you? 
As most racers will say, I wish the racing season was longer haha. But I hate to see
that many local tracks are losing cars and being forced to close up, it is kind of a
dying sport in some areas. 

What would you change about your local short track?
I would like to see my local track repaved with some fresh asphalt, I think it would
really help the drivers out a lot. Also would like to see better grandstands and
facilities to help draw in more fans.

What race do you look forward to the most? 
The race that I look forward to the most would definitly have to be the next race
that I get to compete in, wherever or whenever that may be. Although this year I was
really looking forward to the last race of the year, because I had the point lead
and knew I would be able to win my first championship.

With the winter now here what all do you do to the race car?
This winter I plan on freshening up the engine and possibly doing a little body work
to the race car to get it ready for another exciting season of racing in 2012. 

Besides racing what hobbies do you have?
Besides racing, I love to ride my quad and off road my Jeep, anything to due with
motorsports really. I also enjoy hunting and fishing, as well as watching my Chicago
Bears. 

What sponsors do you have?
I have a great group of sponsers, N9Rracing, Neal Motorsports, Howard Signs, Kelly
Collision Center, Uncle Ray's Back pocket, Lyin' Larry's Mowing, and others. 

Who helps you work on and maintain the car? 
My crew has got to be one of the best in the business, Led by the car chief Cory
Nuttle and his wife Shari, crew cheif Uncle Ray Walter, and crew members Jason
Shanks and Larry Johnson.

If a youngster was wanting to get into racing what advice would you give them? 
My advice to a youngster would be to just go for it! With good, hard work you never
know what is going to happen.