A week ago, at Daytona International Speedway (DIS), Austin Hill captured his first-career NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series (NGOTS) victory in exhilarating fashion. He led a race-high 39 laps in his debut with HRE en route to his landmark victory. The driver of the No. 16 United Rentals Toyota Tundra had made 51 NGOTS starts entering 2019 and capitalized on his first appearance with the defending series championship team. Hill’s trip to victory lane was the third-consecutive victory for HRE dating back to ISM Raceway on November 9th last season. Hill and the No. 16 team, led by crew chief Scott Zipadellli, will look to visit Atlanta Motor Speedway’s (AMS) victory lane for the second year in a row on Saturday evening.
A True Hometown Hero … Hill, a native of Winston, GA, fresh off his first win, returns home to where his racing career began. The current NGOTS points leader began racing quarter midgets at age six in nearby Cumming, GA and turned countless laps on AMS’ quarter mile. Now, Hill’s career leads him back to his home turf on the strength of the biggest moment of his career and looks maintain his place atop the series standings.
Atlanta History … The 24-year old Peach State product has already compiled three NGOTS starts in his young career at AMS. Hill’s best finish came in his AMS debut in 2016 when he finished 12th. All three of his previous starts came with Young’s Motorsports and scored his previous career-best finish of fifth at AMS’ sister track, Texas Motor Speedway, last November.
Chassis Selection … Zipadelli and the No. 16 team are bringing a familiar Toyota Tundra to AMS. Chassis No. 007, the workhorse, will make its debut in 2019 on Saturday afternoon. This Tundra went to victory lane three times last season with Brett Moffitt at the controls, including at AMS last February, and sealed the championship with a victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Tune In … FOX Sports 1’s live coverage from AMS begins with final practice at 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday afternoon. Raceday coverage on FS1 kicks off at 10:30 a.m. ET with qualifying followed by the green flag at 4:30 p.m. ET. Fans can follow Hill and HRE on social media by following @Hattori_Racing on Twitter, hattoriracing on Instagram, and Hattori Racing Enterprises on Facebook.
Austin Hill Quote:On his strong start to 2019:“I never would have thought my first win would come at Daytona. It finally started to sink in this week, and it’s a great feeling. Not only that we won, but we have a spot in the playoffs and the fact that Scott (Zipadelli) and the guys can get more aggressive throughout the season and we have the freedom to try things to win more races. I couldn’t think of a better place to come after our first win than Atlanta. Our United Rentals Tundra looks great and it’s a fast truck. These guys had a ton of success with this chassis last season and I’m excited to start practice to see what kind of speed we have this weekend.”
HRE PR
