Driver Spotlight: Eric Hodgkins

In only seven starts, Minot-based driver Eric Hodgkins has managed to earn three feature victories and is the current point leader in Oxford’s recently-revived Figure 8 division during his first full season racing.

Hodgkins, 40, grew up going to the races at Oxford Plains Speedway with his father watching drivers like Jon Lizotte, Larry Hewins, Jeff Taylor and Mike Rowe, who he’s greatly admired.

Photo credit: Josephsphotos

In 2016, he gets to race against a few of these veterans, a fact he often finds hard to believe.

“Last week I lined up next to Larry Hewins, and I thought that was unbelievable,” Hodgkins said. “I grew up watching and idolizing him, and here I was lined up right next to him.”

The Figure 8 division was very popular at Oxford from 1969 through 1988. Current drivers Lizotte and Dave Smith were two of the top racers in that previous era. When the class was brought it back in 2015, many of the original drivers came out of retirement.

Mixed in with those veterans was Hodgkins, decades younger than most of the field. With only a small group of cars competing, Lizotte dominated the field — winning his 100th career feature and the points championship. Hodgkins ended up finishing a respectable third in points last season.

Hodgkins first ventured into the racing world five years ago as a sponsor for Michael Haynes’ No. 67 Outlaw entry, then became Haynes’ car owner in 2015. Hodgkins went to the races every week to support his driver, and was proud to see him earn a solid second place in the points championship.

Photo Credit: Josephsphotos

Being a car owner and sponsor were the only roles Hodgkins had ever played before last season. He had no interest in racing himself, and had never even sat in a race car. After watching the first few weeks of the newly-revived Figure 8 division, he got the idea to join them on the track. He bought a car, tried it out driving it down the road, and that was it. The next time he drove it, it was week five for the Figure 8s and he was hooked.

“You have to be a little nuts to drive in this class, and I thought I was just crazy enough,” Hodgkins explained. “My parents have yet to see me race, which is probably a very good thing. My brother and sisters usually close their eyes when they come to watch me.”

This season, Hodgkins enhanced his program when he purchased a new car ( a Chevrolet Camaro) to make his goal of winning a feature possible. He credits his success this season to his former driver Haynes, the man who sold him his current car and helps him with chassis setup. He also credits his crew chief, Gary Powers.

“Gary keeps the car running right; he works on it more than I do,” Hodgkins explained.

One of his favorite things about racing in the Figure 8 class is the chance to compete against those drivers he idolized growing up. His favorite moments thus far came on Saturday, June 11, when he held off defending champion Lizotte for his third win of 2016.

 “I beat the King, and it was the only time anyone has done that without wrecking him.” he added.

Photo credit: Susan Johnson

Hodgkin’s father actually used to sponsor Lizotte many years ago. Lizotte,was inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2013 after a 30-year career that included four class titles and nearly 100 feature wins. He was a big help to Hodgkins last year, acting as his mentor. Hodgkins has nothing but good things to say about the veteran driver. 

“Jon has had such an amazing career; it's nice just being able to talk to him, let alone to race against him.”

Hodgkins seems to have found his niche, and is enjoying competing in the Figure 8 division. Along with the Figure 8 class, he says he plans on running both a Bandit and Street Stock entry all in one night once at some point this summer. He does admit to being inexperienced in those classes. 

“I need a lot of practice with my Street Stock car; those guys are really good and I don't want to get in the way as they compete for a championship,” Hodgkins said.

When Hodgkins is not at the track, he enjoys skiing during the winter, boating during the summer, and spending time with his nine-year-old daughter, who recently entered her first Go-cart race, a fact which made him very proud.

With several races left this season, only time will tell if Hodgkins or Kyle Kilgore, the only other driver in the division under the age of 50, can defeat those veterans at their own game.