Hooper Returns to Saugus

Lance Hooper will be the favorite tonight at Saugus Speedway.

The favorite to win?

“I don’t know about that,” Hooper said with a shrug.

Maybe not. But Hooper clearly will be a sentimental favorite among the field when the NASCAR Winston West, stock-car racing’s most lucrative series on the West Coast, makes its only appearance of the season at Saugus.

The 200-lap main event on Saugus’ repaved, one-third-mile oval will highlight a program that also includes Pro Stock oval and figure-eight racing. The program begins at 7 p.m.

Hooper, the 1991 Sportsman division champion at Saugus and one of the most popular drivers in the track’s 54-year history, will make his first appearance at the track since he left at the end of last season in search of faster racing.

Hooper, 25, joined the NASCAR Southwest Tour and ranks fourth in the series’ points standings after three races. However, this week, Hooper was offered the wheel of a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass by the owners of a Winston West team. And he wasn’t about to refuse.

“I’m really looking forward to this,” Hooper said.

The arrangement is for tonight only. But Hooper, who said he is making plans to move to North Carolina within the next two years to pursue a career on NASCAR’s Winston Cup circuit, is hoping it can lead to bigger things. He will rejoin the Southwest Tour next weekend in Stockton.

“I can use all the (racing) time I can get,” Hooper said. “It’ll keep me racing, keep me sharp. You get exposure and you get time. Maybe there will be a potential sponsor who will see me.”

Dan Puskarich of Bakersfield, who has been the chief partner of a racing team that has fielded a Winston West entry almost every year since 1974, approached Hooper because he was impressed with his performance in recent years.

“I’ve watched him race,” Puskarich said. “He definitely gets a lot out of his equipment, that’s for certain. He takes a car that may not be the latest and greatest and does the most with it.”

Puskarich said he was encouraged to approach Hooper by NASCAR promoters, who consider Hooper something of an up-and-coming star and recognize his drawing power. Over the past two seasons, Saugus fans have greeted the announcement of Hooper’s name, as well as his victories, with enthusiastic applause.

“It’s just good business to have one of the local heroes step up and race at his local track,” NASCAR Promoter Owen Kearns said. “You never know where this could go from here.”

At age 23, Hooper was the second-youngest Sportsman champion ever at Saugus. His brother, Ray Jr., was the youngest champion at 18 in 1982. Ray Hooper Sr. was Sportsman champion in 1970.

Last season, Hooper finished second to Gary Sigman of Carson, largely because of accidents in two races. Hooper won 11 of the season’s 18 main events.

“I get along with a lot of people out there, I guess,” Hooper said. “I’m glad I’m going to Saugus for my first race. I’ll feel welcome. The fans there are great.”