Gilroy native Stephen Hopf is building himself quite an impressive résumé in the world of auto racing.
Hopf was recently crowned the 2013 International Motor Contest Association Sport Modified track champion at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville. This was Hopf’s first full season competing in the IMCA and just his second year in racing overall.
Hopf led wire-to-wire during the racing season, starting with a victory in March and culminating with a main event win in the final race in October. Out of 25 races started at Ocean Speedway this year, Hopf had an astounding 23 top-five finishes with six main event wins. The IMCA racing season lasts from March until October, with races taking place every Friday night. Drivers accumulate points based on finishing position in each race to determine the eventual champion.
But that’s not all.
Hopf took second in the main event at the Western Dirt Nationals Oct. 25-26 at Kings Speedway in Hanford. He was also crowned the 2013 Pat Pettit Shootout two-day race champion in September and finished seventh in total points in California among 200-plus IMCA Sport Modified drivers.
This year has been a dream come true for Hopf, who developed an affinity for racing at an early age.
“My mom and dad would take me to San Jose Speedway to watch the Sprint cars when I was very young,” the 31-year-old racer said. “I grew up watching them and just always wanted to do it.”
Although Hopf’s interest in racing cars was always there, he was racing a different vehicle long before he was behind the wheel of a racecar.
“I actually started out racing dirt bikes,” Hopf said. “I did it for 15 years, doing Motocross and Arenacross, but it just got to the point where racecars were always my passion and I wasn’t getting any younger, so I knew I had to do something about it.
“I finally got it together enough where I had a good job and was able to fulfill my passion. I bought my first racecar last year, which was the first time I was ever in a racecar in my life.”
In addition to the thrill and excitement of racing, Hopf loves how it has brought his family closer together.
“It’s changed our whole lives,” he said. “My whole family is involved and very supportive of me. Racing is all we talk about during the season.”
Hopf’s success on the track has inspired him to give back. At one point, he rebuilt the entire body of his car, making it pink for breast cancer awareness. He then auctioned off autographed door panels to raise money for cancer research.
Hopf has also donated his winnings from a race to a foundation in support of family friends who have a child with cancer and has participated in the Jeff Gordon “Kick-It for Cancer” kickball tournament where drivers compete against each other to raise money for cancer research.
“I’m a giver-type of guy,” Hopf said. “I like to get out there and help people in any which way that I can.”
Much of Hopf’s drive and determination stems from the people around him, contributing to his success on the circuit.
“I really appreciate everybody’s support,” said Hopf. “It’s neat going around Gilroy, having a fanbase, having people congratulate me and seeing people wearing tshirts with the name of my car on it.”
Success seems to be a common thing on Hopf’s street. He’s neighbors with another accomplished Gilroy native — Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero.
“We talk all the time and he’s always cheering for me,” Hopf said. “I actually ran into him the other day at the auto parts store and he told the cashier, ‘Take care of this guy; we need another champion in town.'”
Hopf will be back in 2014 in a new car and is moving to another division to compete against the best drivers in the nation.
