Hillman has surgery, will be on pit box in Vegas

Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief for Truck Series points leader Todd Bodine, will be with his team in Las Vegas this weekend after having surgery this week for broken bones in his right leg and foot.

Hillman had surgery Tuesday afternoon to insert screws and a metal plate to stabilize the broken bones in his lower leg and foot.

Hillman was injured last Friday when he was struck on pit road at New Hampshire by the Germain Racing Toyota driven by Zach Germain during a K&N Pro Series East race. Hillman was carrying tires for the car driven by Miguel Paludo that is also fielded out of the Germain shop.

After being treated at the Concord (N.H.) Hospital emergency room on Friday evening, Hillman was on pit road for Saturday's Truck race, in which Bodine finished ninth.

Hillman was at the Germain Racing shop in Mooresville, N.C., Thursday and he plans to fly to Las Vegas on Friday to be with his team. Truck Series practice and qualifying at Las Vegas Motor Speedway are scheduled Friday and Saturday, with the season's 20th of 25 races Saturday evening.

"I feel good," Hillman said Thursday. "Wednesday I rested a lot. I'll go to Las Vegas on Friday and try to get our Valvoline Tundra back in Victory Lane and I'll go back to the doctor on Monday for a follow-up visit.

"I don't expect to need any further surgery, and I can't thank everyone enough for their calls and concern. It's helped the healing process a ton."

Bodine has a 257-point lead over Aric Almirola and a 310-point margin over Johnny Sauter with six races remaining this season as Bodine attempts to win his second career Truck Series title.