It’s only fitting that I write my first Racer Recognition article on the person who ignited my own passion for drag racing, my Dad; Jesse Hicks. His nickname, The Hitman, is one of those that someone said once or twice but it stuck around. If there is an award for most cars raced by one driver, I would say The Hitman would be near the top of the list. Throughout Jesse’s 35 years of racing he’s been behind the wheel of Buicks, GTOs, Monte Carlos, Camaros, Chevelles, an ugly Grand Prix (his words, not mine), Firebirds, Malibus, pit scooters, and so many more.

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Hicks was born and raised in Greer, South Carolina and lives about 10 minutes away from his local track, Greer Dragway. As a self proclaimed “car nut” Jesse has been involved with classic cars since he was a child, but he’s most well-known for his collection of Buicks. Although he’s usually a local racer, he has competed in 5 different states and managed to win races in all of them.

He works full time as a HVAC technician and continues to work in his own race shop, Hicks Fabrication, in the evenings. He has been building and fabricating race cars since his first project in 1997, which was the black ’67 Buick GS.

“I enjoy being able to build and create something from nothing…at the end of the day when it’s all said and done, you know, I can say I built that”

jesse hicks, speaking of hicks fabrication

While enjoying the sunny South Carolina weather during this unfortunate racing hiatus, I was able to ask The Hitman a few questions.

How did you start racing?

I went to the track off and on with Dad starting when I was about 6 or 7 but when I was 15 is when I started racing. I would race Dad’s 66 GTO while him and Mom would sit in the stands watching, because I just had a learner’s permit. I would go almost every Thursday night and run the gambler’s race- I actually got runner-up in the second gambler’s race that I ever entered.

Around 1990, I started going every Saturday to race. At one time I would run Modified [8.00 and slower ET, delay boxes allowed] and Street [similar to the Footbrake class now]. When they started the Street class I won the first 4 in a row, 2 gambler’s races to start the season and the first 2 regular races.

Since I already know what you do for a living I’ll just ask; given the chance would you ever want to race professionally?

Well, I don’t know…

Or what is your favorite pro class?

As far as the cars- pro stock or pro mod.

But if given the chance to drive a funny car you wouldn’t say no?

Probably not [laughs] Maybe not so much now, but I definitely would of driven one back in the day.

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What is the best thing, in your opinion, about drag racing?

The people. Camaraderie. And of course I’m a car nut- so the cars.

Do you believe in drag racing superstition? Is there a certain routine you have on raceday?

No and not really.

Do you have a favorite racetrack or event?

I always enjoy the World Footbrake Challenge. I always enjoyed the Buick events they used to have, wish they still had them. It started out Buicks at Bristol and then changed to Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac (BOP) and they had events at Bristol and Atlanta Dragway.

I won Buicks at Bristol in maybe 1999 or 2000. Then I won the Footbrake class and the Pro Quick 32 class at BOP Bristol in about 2002. We almost had a clean sweep of all 3 classes at BOP Atlanta when I won the slick tire class and Tina [his wife, my Mom] won the women’s division, while we were both driving the blue ‘67 Buick. Tina lost in the semifinals of the DOT class that same day. She had like an .06 or .07 reaction time advantage but broke out something like .002. She was ripping the gas but it didn’t kill enough. I want to say she was like .01 to the other guys .07 or .08. [Ouch]

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What is your best racing memory?

Winning both classes at BOP in Bristol. Or when me and Bob Mitchell won the Snapback award in the slow poke race. A slow poke race used to be a tradition at Greer Dragway. The rules had everyone dialed in at 25 seconds and you had to cross the finish line going at least 30 mph. You could also have passengers in the car with you as you raced. The Stanback Snapback award was given to a driver who had overcome difficulty during the race day.

Let’s hear that story.

Me and Bob Mitchell decided to run the slow poke race with his ’78 Malibu that had been sitting after he lost the regular race. Usually you would leave the starting line, stop and count, then make a full pass to make the 25 second dial in. This time we left but the car backfired [through the carburetor] and caught fire! So I jumped out of the car, put the fire out, jumped back in the car and Bob took off down the track. We actually won that round because the other car broke out, and we earned the Snapback award.

Do you have any advice for other racers out there?

Listen to the old guys.

I know this season is up in the air right now, but what are your racing goals?

I’d love to win the Footbrake Challenge. I’d love to win Greer’s Thanksgiving race and I’d love to win a Bracket Final.

Final Facts

• Favorite of his race cars: 1967 Buick Station Wagon
• Hicks Fabrication has earned 2 IHRA Division 9 Best Engineered Closed Body car awards (Phil Causey’s Dodge D50 in 2012 and 2013)
• Has raced at approximately 15 different racetracks in 5 states
• Favorite racetrack food: Shadyside Dragway’s fried bologna sandwich with cheese
• Currently open for sponsors: “Shout out to anyone who wants to buy me some Mickey Thompson Tires and alcohol” 😂