Darin Mock to run NASCAR throwback at Laguna Seca and Sonoma
April 18, 2022
In 1983, Neil Bonnet drove a Rahmoc Racing car sponsored by Hodgdon to Victory Lane. Fast forward to 2022 and Darin Mock will attempt to repeat history driving the No. 75 Hodgdon Ford Mustang to victory in the TA2 Class of Trans Am Racing at the upcoming Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway events in California.
Hodgdon Group is a Real Estate, Development and Construction company located in Southern California. Back in the day, Warner Hodgdon sponsored Butch Mock’s NASCAR team with Bonnett driving. The always charismatic Hodgdon became a fixture in the NASCAR garage.
Like most sponsorships, they eventually go away from the team. But, the relationship between Mock and Hodgdon continued until his passing in 2013 at the age of 80. Mock re-connected with Aaron Hodgdon, Warner’s son, last year.
“I met Butch last year on a business trip to the Carolinas,” Aaron Hodgdon said. “The last time I saw him, I was 16-years-old. After our visit, I decided we would get behind his son, Darin Mock, and sponsor the two Trans Am races. Butch builds fast cars and were excited to have a Hodgdon Mock car on the track again.
“I vividly remember being with Butch and the team when we won the World 600 in Charlotte and the Atlanta Journal 500 with the Hodgdon name on board and Bonnett driving. Seeing the Hodgdon paint scheme on Darin’s call will bring back a lot of great memories.”
Warner Hodgdon was a man ahead of his time when it came to utilizing racing as a conduit for business and Hodgdon Group is doing the same. Hodgdon forged sponsorship deals with Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip and a partnership in Junior Johnson’s team. He also bought into track ownership and worked on multi-race packages to air on national television.
Butch Mock seems just as excited as the younger Hodgdon for the two races and the special scheme, especially with his son now behind the wheel.
“This is a case of life coming full circle,” Mock said. “Some of our best days for my race team were with Hodgdon on board. We won races, ran well and it was just a very special time for both of us.
“Now, to have Aaron and Justin Hodgdon agreeing to come on board with my son, Darin, driving is incredible. I know there are a lot of NASCAR fans out there that remember those days.
“With this replica Hodgdon scheme on Darin’s No. 75 Ford Mustang, the fire suit he’s going to wear and the hero cards we had printed up is making this even more special.”
