Jesse "The Rocket" Hockett (September 7, 1983 – May 26, 2010) was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 sprint car racer

Sprint car racing

Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....

. He made his debut in 1998 and went on to win numerous events in the course of his career. In 2006, he became the O'Reilly Sprint Bandits TNT Midwest Swing Champion

Sprint Bandits

Sprint Bandits is an open-wheel auto racing sanctioning body that organizes the O'Reilly Sprint Bandits Tour 'N Topless Midwest Swing event for wingless 410-ci sprint cars...

.

Hockett was killed by electrocution

Electrocution

Electrocution is a type of electric shock that, as determined by a stopped heart, can end life. Electrocution is frequently used to refer to any electric shock received but is technically incorrect; the choice of definition varies from dictionary to dictionary...

 while using a pair of pliers

Pliers

Pliers are a hand tool used to hold objects firmly, for bending, or physical compression. Generally, pliers consist of a pair of metal first-class levers joined at a fulcrum positioned closer to one end of the levers, creating short jaws on one side of the fulcrum, and longer handles on the other...

 to fix his trailer's electrical box, in his shop in Warsaw, Missouri

Warsaw, Missouri

Warsaw is a city located in Benton County, Missouri. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 2,070. It is the county seat of Benton County. As of 2005, its estimated population was 2,268.-State and U.S. records:...

 in preparation for several races, including matches of the United States Auto Club and American Sprint Car Series. He was survived by his wife Tina Marie Church-Hockett, after barely being married three months on February 13, 2010.

Career highlights

• Ulimate Challenge Non-wing Usac at Oskaloosa Speedway 2009
• $12.5K USAC Perris Auto Speedway Oval Nationals in Perris, Ca 2008
• $13K to win King of 360 Florida Speedweek in Tampa, Fl 2009
• Swept 3 nights of 360 Western World at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Arizona 2008
• 2 time back to back Ron Shuman Classics with SCRA and Bandits at Kansas City, Kansas
• 2 time Sprint Bandit Champion 2007-2006
• 1 Tour N Topless Championship 2007
• Won Western Australia Championship in Perth Western Australia 2006
• Raced in over 85 events in each of the last 4 seasons. Including 97 last season and 93 in 2007
• Winged Outlaw Four Cylinder Sprint Champion 1999 (2nd year in racing)
• Won in third feature start at Pleasanton, Kansas in 1998 in his first year racing

External links

• Shop accident ends Jesse Hockett's life, May 26, 2010