Hill hopes hot streak leads to right opportunity

NASCAR Next driver wins K&N Pro Series East opener for third straight win

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Hill has managed to do more with less as he tries to work his way up the NASCAR ranks. Though his family-run team has scrapped its way to a recent burst of success, it turns out he has a legendary ally working his corner.

The 20-year-old Hill continued his trend of stellar performances in Sunday night’s NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season opener at New Smyrna Speedway, notching his third straight win on the regional circuit dating back to last season’s late two-race sweep at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and Dover International Speedway to close out the campaign. Joining Hill in Victory Lane on the .48-mile track’s frontstretch was a NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee who has grown to become a family friend — engine-building marvel Robert Yates.

Yates, long affiliated with Ford, has provided engines for the K&N Series’ Ford teams for the past five years. But his connection with Hill runs deeper. When the NASCAR Next driver’s team came up empty looking for shop space, Yates took him in for part of last season, giving the family operation room to grow.

“Robert and those guys, they’ve been an awesome help,” Hill said. “Ever since we ran our first race as a home-operated and family-operated team, they’ve just been really supportive of us. We kind of got in a pickle. We really couldn’t find a building for our car, and for two races — we were actually running out of their stable in the back of their shop. They’ve just been really supportive. Every time we hit the track, we have plenty of power. You never hear me come over the radio and say, ‘Hey, this motor just doesn’t feel right.’ They build awesome motors and I’m really glad I can run a Ford.”

Yates was particularly pleased with watching a blue oval emblem show the way, as Hill led all 150 laps from the pole position and fended off a stout challenge from Dalton Sargeant, a 16-year-old hotshot finishing second in his first K&N appearance. The race also marked the debut of the K&N Series’ new generation of Five Star car bodies, meaning Hill’s No. 22 Fusion was easily identifiable at the front of the pack.

Though Hill’s recent surge has suddenly made him a force on the K&N tour, his search for sponsorship and his next big break continues. Yates said he sees plenty of potential from the NASCAR Home Tracks proving ground, with Hill near the top of that list.

“He’s definitely on the right step for now, but he’s just got to get that right opportunity,” Yates said. “All these kids, there’s so much talent coming. … The young guys, I know they can do it, but nobody gives them a chance, and of course, look at this — the talent here.”

Hill hopes his recent rise will open the door to more time behind the wheel in NASCAR national series. The Georgia youngster carries high hopes into Friday night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250 (7:30 p.m., FOX Sports 1), the season opener for the Camping World Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway.

Hill made two Truck Series starts last season, leading an impressive 21 laps at Martinsville Speedway in October, but racing in Daytona’s all-important aerodynamic draft is a far different animal. When the 2.5-mile track opens for practice Thursday, Hill hopes to earn some respect in the draft and create friendships that may ultimately benefit him in Friday night’s main event.

“It’s all about the luck of the draw,” Hill said. “If you get the right push from somebody, the right draft, and you’re there at the end, then you’re certainly going to have a shot at it. If you want to pull out of line, though, you better make sure you’ve got somebody pushing you that’s good. Hopefully, I can talk to some of those truck guys and they can work with me and we can get to the front.”

While he hopes more driving duties in the Camping World Truck Series arise, Hill’s season-long focus is on the K&N tour, where he hopes to improve upon his tie for fifth place in last year’s final standings. One race into 2015, he finds himself as the series points leader, a distinction that should help as he continues the quest for sponsorship.

In the meantime, Hill has derived ultimate satisfaction from turning in a dominant performance as his underdog family team competes against its more well-heeled rivals. Even though he continues to do more with less, it’s done nothing to diminish Hill’s competitive drive.

“Every time I hit the track, I want to win,” Hill said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m racing out here in the parking lot with somebody. It’s just in my blood.

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