Doug Hooks enters Texas 250

ROMCO star Doug Hooks enters Texas 250.

Pendleton, IN (April 3, 2003) -- ROMCO Super Late Model Series Star Doug Hooks of Dripping Springs (TX) has entered the ASA Racing Series Texas 250 at Houston Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 12. Hooks will make his series debut at Texas' premier short track.

"I'm pleased to compete in ASA at Houston with the success I've experienced at the first class facility," Doug Hooks said "I would love to say I can win the race, but our main goal is just to make the show. ASA provides some of the best racing action in the country with some of the top drivers, so it will be difficult to earn a position in the starting field.

"Houston is a place where you have to be on top of the wheel and drive the car extremely hard. It isn't one of those places where you can just cruise around and win a race. You give everything you have for every lap, if you want to be fast."

Hooks began his racing career in 1992, capturing rookie of the year and a fourth place finish in the hobby street class at Longhorn Speedway in Austin (TX). The following two seasons he captured the hobby street championship and in 1998 garnered Limited Late Model Championship at Thunder Hill Raceway in Kyle (TX).

In 1999, Hooks advanced to the ROMCO Super Late Model Series, finishing in eighth position in the series standings. In 2002, he produced a career season, placing third in the final standings, garnering one victory at Houston Motor Speedway and nabbing two poles. The 2003 season started on a stellar note for Hooks, as he won the season- opening event on the ROMCO tour at Houston.

"When I heard ASA was coming to Houston I looked into renting a car. Then I got talking with Clay Huckaby and made a trade. He was interested in getting a late model, so I traded him my backup car for his ASA car. I also helped him get up to speed in his late model at the ROMCO debut."

The adjustment to the ASA car began for Hooks when he tested his number 97 Dyer Electronics car at Thunder Hill Raceway.

"The BFGoodrich Radial Tires are the main difference. They are a lot different than what I'm used to racing on. You can't slide the car like you can in a late model. I started my racing career on a radial tire, so hopefully that will be a huge benefit at Houston."

The second event of the 2003 ASA Racing Series is set for Saturday, April 12 at Houston Motor Speedway in Houston (TX). The Texas 250 takes the green flag at 8 p.m. (Central) and will be telecast live on the SPEED CHANNEL.

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