THE COMEBACK
Steve “Snake” Hobbs Shares What Brought Him Back to Racing
Like many race car drivers, Steve Hobbs has spent his entire life around racing. In fact, his father, Johnny Jones, is one of the Legends of PIR.
“My dad and uncle had a race car,” Hobbs shared, “(I’ve wanted to race) since I was a kid… (I) grew up around it.”
Any racing career has its ups and downs. Hobbs recalled some of his earliest memories of his own career, “(The) very first night I drove a Stock car, I had the Heat race won, and the car over-heated with two laps to go… three weeks later I won my first Feature.”
Hobbs credits his dad with having the biggest influence on his racing career. He can also be found in the pits lending a helping hand. “My dad very seldom misses. (He’s) 71-years old and still works on cars.”
Even in a day and time when money issues bare a brunt on any racing career, Hobbs relies a great deal on Jones’ own racing experience, mechanical knowledge, and wealth of wisdom. “Without my dad I couldn’t do it. Dad is one sharp guy.” Hobbs added, “(There may) not be enough money… Dad helps out a lot… (He) knows how to make them go fast.”
Hobbs’ first racing venture was in Go-Karts where he picked up his first win at Symsonia Raceway around 1981. “(It was) the best thing that ever happened… (I) was hooked!” Hobbs laughed.
With his Go-Kart days behind him, Hobbs took an interest in Street Stocks, which were referred to as Late Models and Hobby Stocks in the early ‘80’s. He picked up his first Street Stock win at Paducah International Raceway in 1985. He shared his feelings on that coveted first Street Stock victory, “I really like this… can’t get enough,” he said.
Later that same year he won the PIR Street Stock Track Championship. He went on to win it again in 1987. Hobbs then wanted something with a little more horsepower, so he opted for an Open-Wheel Modified where he found much success and another Track Championship in 1995. It was that same year he was also fifth in the nation.
After having raced off and on for 17-years, quitting once when he got married, Hobbs shared how local businessman David Feezor lured him back into the driver’s seat. “(I had) done quit. David had a car and asked me to race it... I agreed to a couple of months.” Hobbs continued, “(A) couple of months turned into every week, and Dad working on the car two nights a week.”
Hobbs proves that once you have been bitten by the racing bug, you are prone to racing fever. “One time in the stands, and you want to race again,” he shared.
When asked where he sees his racing career in five years, Hobbs said, “(I) hope my son takes over… (we’re) shooting for three years.”
Hobbs also shared that in 10-years he will “Definitely be done… (I’ll) be eating a hotdog telling everyone else how to do it,” he laughed.
Hobbs and his wife, Laryssa, have two children. Son, Dawson, who is 10-years old, is already following in his dad’s footsteps by racing Champ Karts at tracks including Elva Bottoms. Daughter, Paycee Jo, is seven-years old. “(She can) ride the fire out of a four-wheeler,” Hobbs laughed. “(She) doesn’t know what slow down means.”
When asked how he felt about his children getting into racing, Hobbs responded, “I’d have to encourage their racing. I don’t know that I could help them the way my Dad helped me (mechanically speaking)… if you don’t buy the good stuff you’re not going to get up front.”
His wife has been very supportive of his racing throughout the years. “She supports and enjoys it. She gets tired sometimes… (but she) knew what she was getting into,” Hobbs laughed.
For the 2010 season, Hobbs had three Heat wins, 15 Top-10 Feature finishes with eight of those in the Top-five, and one Feature victory. He finished third in Championship points standings.
Hobbs, a Benton, Kentucky native, currently drives the #8E Street Stock which is owned by David Feezor and sponsored by Feezor’s Restorations, Jones Enterprises, Snake Signs & Motorsports Graphics, and Industrial Hose & Supply. He works as a pipefitter for Travis Construction. When he is not on the track, he enjoys riding Harleys. “(I think) I’ve ridden about 200 miles this year… (I) really don’t have time for it,” Hobbs shared.
Steve Hobbs proves that once you have it; you never lose it. Come to Paducah International Raceway on Friday nights and see him make another comeback in the dirt track racing circuit while chasing another Feature win before he turns it over to the next generation.
