Defending champion Hull leads MOWA to Jacksonville opener

Defending champion Hull leads MOWA to Jacksonville opener

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – When the 2015 season begins on Friday night at Jacksonville Speedway, Jerrod Hull will feel right at home as he begins his quest for a 4th consecutive Neal Tire MOWA Sprint Car Series presented by Casey’s General Stores Championship.

He’s been winning races at Jacksonville long before the series formed in 2011, so his car set ups and experience already helped fill his racing notebook. As MOWA heads into its fifth season, Hull is the only driver to win the MOWA series title, and maybe he becomes Mr. Five Time this season.

“We’ll have to see what happens,’’ said Hull, a 39-year-old from Sikeston, Mo. The 25-race MOWA season begins Friday, April 10 at Jacksonville Speedway and concludes in October after holding races in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.

MOWA – or Midwest Open Wheel Association – formed to provide quality sprint car racing primarily in Illinois, and Hull became a dynasty by winning the first four championships. Coupled with long-time crew chief Scott Bonar of Burlington, Iowa, Hull is known for his consistency. Hull’s championship drives have come from building wins and solid finishes while avoiding the mistakes that crippled other title contenders.

“All the tracks MOWA runs, I really love,’’ Hull said. “Scott and I have been together so long, we don’t have to discuss a lot. He takes care of the car. He knows what I like, and he hits it right on the nail most nights. We work really well together. That’s the big key to it.’’

Hull and Bonar first teamed up in 2001. After working together sporadically for a few years, they went full-time as a team in 2006. They’ve been racing – and winning – ever since.

The biggest competition to Hull’s dynasty could be his son Jett, a 7-year-old who started racing quarter-midgets two years ago. Jett is the up-and-comer in the Hull family. When he starts winning and climbing the ladder, it might be time for his dad to hang it up and let his son take it to another level.

“When he catches on, it won’t bother me near as bad to quit,’’ Hull said. “I want to push him to where he needs to be. He’s only run 25 races in two years. We have to find races in between my races.’’

By placing third out of 20 drivers at a big indoor show in Springfield, Ill., in late March, perhaps Jett is showing his dad he can handle this racing stuff, too.

For now, Hull will continue to race his car, sponsored by Heartland Trailers, Chuck’s Small Engines and Midland Performance. Hull owns the trailer company in his hometown in Sikeston.

“We’ve got everything ready to roll. The cars are ready,’’ he said.

The rest of the MOWA field know who is the man to beat for the title. To be the best, you have to beat the best from the last four seasons.

The 2015 racing season begins Friday night at Jacksonville Speedway. In addition to the MOWA Sprints, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hornets and Midgets will also be in action. Racing beings at 7:00.