(Image: Ben Thrasher)
26 Promotions – Queen Creek, AZ – (November 6, 2018) – Spencer Hill capped off his 2018 season with the 51st running of the Western World Championships at Arizona Speedway.
Night one of the two-day event started on a good note with Hill reporting that the car was pretty decent during his hot lap session, but the excitement would end three-laps into Hill’s heat race.
“Basically, we were the first heat race scheduled to go out, and we already had my car in the chute to push off when they decided to rework the track, and we didn’t have a way to change the setup, and we were way too loose,” explained Hill. “On the third lap, I got a few feet outside of the bottom groove, and the car spun out from under me, leaving the 2 car of Michael Fanelli with nowhere to go, absolutely destroying both of our cars. We had to change the entire front end and left side of my car and missed the call for the B-Main by about 90-seconds. I felt terrible for ruining two team’s night as well as making a ton of work for mine.”
Looking for a fresh start, Hill and his team put all of their focus on ending the season strong during Saturday night’s race.
“We were still way too loose in the heat race, and it showed by dropping from fifth to eighth,” he said. “This would make for a difficult task to earn a spot in the feature.”
Starting 14th in the B-Main, Hill would have 12-laps to work his way through the field, needing to finish sixth or better to secure a spot in the feature.
“In the B, I was able to avoid a few wrecks and hold off for the final transfer spot,” said Hill. “I actually had thought that my battle with Fanelli, who finished fifth, was the battle for the final transfer, so we had a very tight battle before relinquishing that position with a handful of laps to go.”
Securing the 22nd starting spot in the feature, Hill would try to make the most of the final 30-laps in his 2018 season.
“I started shotgun on the field and played the patience game on the bottom, and the car would really come to me on the longer runs,” he explained. “Unfortunately, we weren’t getting that many long green flag runs with cautions plaguing the field. We got caught up in someone else’s mess with eight-laps to go, and I had to restart from the rear, only making it up to 17th. It was a fun race, and I am so happy to have my name included with the best in the business in Non-Wing Sprint Car racing.”
“This marks the end of our season, and I had to admit, it was a very challenging year. We had a lot of positives, including five wins, but we also had a lot of negatives between a number of blown motors and DNF’s,” he said. “One thing that turned my year around was the opportunity to drive for Truman West and SEH Motorsports late in the season. I can’t explain the history behind this team, and it was truly an honor to behind the wheel of the Grammy’s Kitchen 11w. To all the crew members that jumped in, to my sponsors, my team owners, my competitors, and my fans, I would like to say thank you for making 2018 a season I won’t soon forget. I am looking forward to announcing my 2019 plans soon.”
Spencer Hill would like to thank VP Racing Fuels, SEH Motorsports, Grammy’s Kitchen, Hassell Racing, Bell Racing Helmets, Matt’s Mobile Detailing, and Wheels Up Wednesday for their support this season.
Friday’s Results
Heat: 5th -> 8th
Semi: DNS
Saturday’s Results
Heat: 5th -> 8th
Semi: 14th -> 6th
Feature: 22nd -> 17th
Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpencerHillRacing
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Spencer_Hill4
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencer_hill4
Website: http://www.spencerhill-racing.com
Article Credit: 26 Promotions