David Hodges

Racing Into Our Hearts

The following will be published in Valdosta’s own Metro magazine March 2006

Make way for David Hodges, Jr.  He is on track and shows no interest in detours to reach his ultimate destination:  NASCAR Nextel Cup.  To many, just a dream but only the rare few actually realize that it is attainable and are working diligently to accomplish making that dream a reality.  His immediate goals are to advance to the upper echelons which may include Craftsman Truck Series and/or Busch Series.  The young son of David and Dale Hodges is driving his No. 16 late model sportsman racecar into the hearts of fans and race promoters all over the southeast.  Beginning humbly with his remote controlled racer, he found his love for the sport growing since age thirteen when he was a consistent winner and has continued racing and winning for well over a decade.  Along the way, he has developed other interests and activities and is an active member of Francis Lake Baptist Church.  David also relishes the time he spends with his family.  He is Sales Manager at David Hodges Cars and Trucks.

Racing is literally in his blood.  You see, his dad, David Hodges, Sr., was also a racecar driver as well as the owner of David Hodges Motorsports.  Thirteen-year-old David entered his first remote controlled race in Valdosta on March 11, 1995 and notched second place in his first feature race.  In 1996, he won the R/C Legend Series and the Points Championship.  He yearned to get in the big cars and was driving the hot laps and practice all the while pleading with his dad for a chance to actually race while only fourteen years of age.  July 19, 1997 was the date his wish came true when he entered his first heat race in the Hobby Division and WON!  His first feature race win came at Thunderbowl Speedway in Valdosta in April 1998.  David conquered the Hobby Division where he was the 1998 Street Stock Champion at Cordele Motor Speedway and the Hobby Stock Champion at Valdosta’s Thunderbowl Speedway.  His first race on asphalt in 1999 was at Volusia Speedway Park where he cracked the top ten with a ninth place finish at the tender age of seventeen.  He was also the 2000 Late Model Sportsman Champion at Cordele Motor Speedway and was hand picked to run the Bobby Allison “house” car at Albany Motor Speedway.  In 2001, David won his third straight Sportsman Division Championship at Cordele Motor Speedway.  2002 started with a big win at Cordele in the Hangover 100 where he beat NASCAR competitor, Morgan Shepherd, among others to the checkered flag and a hefty purse.  The next couple plus years brought more of the same with over 48 feature wins among many top five and top ten finishes.  The recent 2005 season saw racing in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia with five wins, five seconds, three other top fives, two top tens and two poles.  He never finished lower than tenth place and started the year with a win at Lake City, Fl. and ended the year with a big win in Cecil, Ga.  David celebrated the New Year of 2006 by continuing his winning ways with a dominating performance to victory lane at the “Shootout on the Asphalt” at the South Georgia Motor Sports Park in Cecil, Ga. on Jan. 1, 2006.  David is geared up and ready for 2006 and beyond. 

David credits his success to others such as his mother, Dale, who has nurtured his faith with prayers before and during each race.  He is also quick to thank his crew chief, Bill Hunter, for expert mechanical and advisory skills that has enabled him to be competitive.  His family for their love and support that is always there no matter the finish line results. The sponsors who make it all possible with their financial support and encouragement. Last but not least, the fans that have followed his career and root for him and #16 each and every lap.

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