Josh Hodges Motorsports Takes 360 Sprint Car Victory at Aztec Speedway

The plan for Hodges Motorsports is to shake out all the wrinkles and peak in time for the big races towards the end of the season.
The plan for Hodges Motorsports is to shake out all the wrinkles and peak in time for the big races towards the end of the season.
This is by no means a scientific study, but there appears to be a common denominator between successful young racers and straight-A students. It most likely has to do with focus and discipline and good stuff like that. Case-in-point, 15 year old Josh Hodges from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hodges is certain he was born a race fan, but he wasn’t born a straight-A student - that he earns through hard work. Hodges plans on continuing his education after high school and combining that with a career in racing.
Josh Hodges earned his first 360 Sprint Car win of the year on a tough and tricky Aztec Speedway in Aztec, New Mexico.
Josh Hodges earned his first 360 Sprint Car win of the year on a tough and tricky Aztec Speedway in Aztec, New Mexico.


Hodges started competing early, racing Quarter Midgets with the Roadrunner Quarter Midget Association in Albuquerque. Finding early success there he quickly graduated into 600 Micro sprints, and in 2008 he stepped up to Sprint Cars, running mostly with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS). This year Hodges has already raced 22 times, with 11 top-ten finishes, seven top-five, and he now has his first win, coming on a very slick and aggressive Aztec Speedway.

"The win at Aztec Speedway was definitely pretty cool, especially since I finished second the night before - it made it even sweeter to improve on that the next night," remarked Hodges.

"It has also been a confidence boost for me. It means a lot to get a win with those caliber of guys in the ASCS Southwest region. So far our season has been good, we have been hitting the top-five quite a bit in the regional events, and we are improving every night we race. The few races with the ASCS National Tour have been tough but we are gaining on those too.

Based on his relatively short, yet flourishing race career to this point, there is every reason to believe that Hodges will only continue to thrive. He then ran the ASCS Southwest Series in 2009 and was awarded third in Southwest points along with Southwest Rookie of the Year. He also became the youngest ASCS main event winner at 14 years, 4 months and 23 days of age, and won the National Winged 360 Rookie of the Year, voted on by the North American 360 Sprint Car Poll voting panel of media members, promoters, sanctioning officials and manufacturers.

The kid has made skills and he credits much of his passion for the sport to his dad Jack, along with the support of his entire family-crew - Linda his mom, and brother Jeremy.

"We have been lucky enough to have several great sponsors who help us like K&N, as well as Napa Auto Parts, Benic Enterprises, Wilwood Brakes, FK Rod Ends, and many others, explains Hodges.

"K&N has been great with their help and support. Their products are excellent, from the way they hold up, to the way they perform. Racing on dirt really puts them to the test, and we have had no problems whatsoever. We use their air filters, vent filters, filter wraps, filter oils and cleaners, sealing grease, and oil filters."

Hodges Motorsports intends on continuing to race hard every weekend and they plan on running as many ASCS National events as possible. Hodges comments "Near the end of the year is when all the big races are happening, and we hope to keep improving, so we can be competitive when they come around."

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