ALL GEARED UP FOR A SPONSOR HOOPER SETS SIGHTS ON PLUM RACES IN EAST.

Byline: Anel Laj Staff Writer

Lance Hooper won everything there was to win in California and decided to set higher standards.

The East Coast was on his mind. That's where the big boys are. Faster cars, faster race tracks and more money in the end. That was the plan. However, Hooper finds himself in a common predicament that most drivers encounter at some point in their careers: no sponsor.

But that has yet to deter him.

Hooper, a Saugus High graduate and former Palmdale resident, comes from a family of race-car champions. Racing and the drive for winning championships is part of who he is. His father, Ray, brother, Ray Jr., and his uncle, Wayne, all won championships at Saugus Speedway.

But none of them ventured out to the East Coast for more. Lance was the only one. He's trying to be successful despite not having a sponsor, which is of the utmost importance in the world of racing.

However, the former Winston West Champion is making it work. Hooper is racing in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the Busch Series hoping to catch someone's eye. He might have that chance this weekend as he's scheduled to drive in the Michigan 200, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race.

``Well, all drivers have problems and are in the same situation I'm in at one point or another unless your dad is rich or you know someone from a company sponsor,'' said Hooper, who's been without a sponsor for two years. ``Most drivers have to go out there and drive the best they can and show that they are good drivers.

``Out here all drivers are champions from somewhere. You just have to show them that you are a better driver than they are and a more marketable person.''

It took Hooper a while before someone gave him an opportunity to race. It wasn't that his driving record was bad. On the contrary, Hooper has won four championships in the seven years he's been a driver. He's had 108 starts and 67 races completed.

Along with winning the Winston West Series, Hooper also won the Featherlite Southwest Series title and two championships at Saugus Speedway. He was very successful in California with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as his sponsor, but the East Coast proved to be a struggle.

Hooper, a Charlotte resident, knocked on many doors until Richard Jackson Motorsports of Arden, N.C., gave him an opportunity. He raced one of Jackson's cars for less than a year before their sponsor decided not to return. Jackson sympathizes with Hooper's struggle and knows he'll get his break soon.

``He's had to drive some cars and do some things to stay afloat,'' Richard Jackson said. ``He hasn't been fortunate enough to get with a good team and build a solid foundation. It's not enough races with each team and Lance is a much better driver than he's had opportunities to show in the East. He has problems getting into the right situation.

``I think eventually he'll get into a good situation. It's been kind of slow and tough, but he's motivated to put forth effort to become a good race-car driver and move up to the next level.''

Things have become a lot harder for this championship race-car driver, but his persistence and desire has kept him involved in racing. After the Michigan 200 he travels to Indianapolis Raceway Park at the beginning of August for a Busch Series race.

Hooper is doing everything possible to attract a sponsor. He's raced well and even beaten drivers with a full-time sponsorship. Hooper said he learns every time he's on the track. He has a better understanding of the aerodynamics that come into play on East Coast tracks that were not as present on California tracks.

Although finding a sponsor has been the biggest obstacle, Hooper said the most difficult thing to deal with is leaving his 9-year-old daughter, Nicole, who lives with her mother in Palmdale.

``It was really difficult to pick up and move, but it was what I wanted to do,'' Hooper said. ``If I hadn't, I would have kept thinking: what if? I have to do what it takes to make it. My drive to win and knowing where I want to go keeps me going. Ultimately I want to be a Winston Cup champion.''

CAPTION(S):

Photo: Ex-Palmdale resident Lance Hooper comes from a family of race -car champions.