Austin Hill Set for Late Model Debut at Lanier National Speedway

Note: Austin Hill's Late Model Debut will now be at Dillon Motor Speedway on April 25th.

Legends car drivers have the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store.  Austin Hill feels like he got a hundred dollar bill and he’s been turned loose in the candy isle at the local supermarket.  The Winston, Georgia, driver is about to make his first-ever start in a Late Model with the RC Cola / MoonPie ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour at Lanier National Speedway on April 11th. 

“I have been waiting to do this forever,” said Hill.  “I have just been counting the days until I get to run this asphalt Late Model for the first time.  I have been working out to stay in shape, trying to get ready for 100 laps of racing.  I am just really excited about it.”

Hill, who won the Semi-Pro Legends Car Track Championship at Lanier last year, already has countless laps on the 3/8ths-of-a-mile oval.  That, however, is an afterthought, as he knows that it’s a whole new ball game in a Late Model.

Multi-Time Legends Car Champion Makes the Jump to the ASA SAT

“Running for Legends championships has been tough,” said Hill.  “My dad and I have gotten pretty worn out running for points when I was in the legends car.  Our goal is to be comfortable with the Late Model and work at it each time we race.   We won’t be running every week.  This will give us a chance to learn the ins and outs of the bigger car.”

A temporary schedule has been made for the 2009 season, and stops with the ASA SAT Tour, the Georgia Asphalt Series, and the ASA Late Model Series are planned.  The plan is to run tracks like Watermelon Capital Speedway (GA), New Senoia Speedway (GA), Anderson Motor Speedway (SC), and other selected events.  

“We are just going to take it one race at a time,” added Hill.  “We have a lot to learn.  I have been helping a lot more with the cars.  When I get done with school, I am going to be working on the Late Model up at Rusty’s (Clanton) shop.  I want to learn as much about the car as possible.  Hopefully, some day, I can get a ride with a bigger team.”

Asphalt Late Models are not the only plans for Hill.  A limited dirt schedule has also been put together.  Recently, Hill tested a Dirt Late Model at Boyd’s Speedway (GA).  For Hill, it was one of his first-ever experiences on dirt.

“The dirt car was fun with Ray Cook up at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Georgia.  He helped me out and worked with me getting my line down around the track.  We were all talking beforehand, and I was told to just send the car in there sideways in the corners, but Ray was saying to just be smooth.  So, it was good to have his experience there.”

For more information on Austin Hill and the Hill Brothers race team, please contact Elgin Traylor at (704) 788-2134 x 4.  Be sure to check out their website at Hillbrothersracing.com. 

Austin Hill is ready to jump into the Late Model ranks for the first time.  (51 Photo)