(Photo by DB3 Imaging)
Inside Line Promotions – GIBSONTON, Fla. (Feb. 20, 2018) – Alex Hill kicked off her 2018 racing season with a solid performance last weekend at the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360s hosted by East Bay Raceway Park.
The 18-year-old qualified for all three A Mains during the three-night event, a significant improvement over her performances at the prestigious event the previous two years.
“It was a big improvement for us over the two years before when we never made the A Main so we were pretty pumped about that,” she said.
Hill credited her new teammate, two-time defending Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour champion Sam Hafertepe Jr., for playing a key role in her successful weekend.
“Sam helped a lot,” she said. “We watched some of the races together and he talked to me about my corner entry and running different lines. He also explained how the micro sprints affected the track. There were a lot of other things we talked about, too. I know his help made a big difference.”
The action began on Thursday with Hill placing fourth in a heat race and second in a B Main to transfer into the main event. However, she pulled into the infield early and was credited with a 24th-place finish.
“My car wasn’t working real well in the feature and I decided to pull in once I got lapped,” she said.
On Friday, a second-place finish in her heat race slotted her into the 12th starting position for the night’s 25-lap main event. Unfortunately, her race ended early with her car on the hook.
“That was my fault,” she said. “I just got too low in the turn and clipped an infield tire and bent the front axle.”
Hill, who was scored 23rd, opened Saturday’s finale by advancing from fifth to third place in her heat race. That locked her directly into the 40-lap, $10,000-to-win main event.
“I ran the wrong line early in the race and dropped back a bit,” she said. “But when I changed it I did better. The track was kind of difficult for me since it slicked off quite a bit.”
She netted a 17th-place result, which was her best ever at the oval.
Hill’s quest for the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour Rookie of the Year Award will begin with her next race – March 16-17 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, for the 45th annual Spring Nationals.
QUICK RESULTS –
Feb. 15 – East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. – Heat race: 4 (3); B Main: 2 (1); Feature: 24 (19).
Feb. 16 – East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. – Heat race: 2 (1); Feature: 23 (12).
Feb. 17 – East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. – Heat race: 3 (5); Feature: 17 (15).
SEASON STATS –
3 races, 0 wins, 0 top fives, 0 top 10s, 0 top 15s, 1 top 20
UP NEXT –
March 16-17 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, for the 45th annual Spring Nationals with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by SawBlade.com
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.HillsRacingTeam.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HillsRacingTeam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillsracing/
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Tony Stewart Racing
Tony Stewart Racing is the title-winning World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series team owned by three-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart.
“We’re very proud to be associated with Tony Stewart and Tony Stewart Racing,” Hill said.
Hill would also like to thank Townline Variety, BearPaw Gas and Convenience, Ackland Insurance, Creative Edge, Lettrage Pixel, Chalkstix, Slade Shock Technologies, Cool Chassis, XYZ Machining, Fisher Racing Engines, Gaerte/Topp Performance Race Products and Strodes for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
- Shawn Miller on Feb 20, 2018
- Article Date: 2/20/2018 by Inside Line Promotions