Written by Adrian Beecher
Daytona, FL – Austin Hill in the No. 16 CHIDA Toyopet Toyota took home his first carer Gander Outdoors Truck Series victory after surviving a carnage-filled Friday evening at Daytona International Speedway.
“This Tundra was fast. It really was. I knew we had a truck that could compete. It got a little scarce there at the end. I thought that the 98 (Grant Enfinger) was going to get me.” explained Hill, “He had a big run. We were able to protect it. I can’t believe that my first win came at Daytona. It’s so surreal and I can’t wait to party with these guys.”
Here’s how it all went down Friday night at the World Center of Racing!
The No. 51 of Christian Eckes started on the pole, however, it was the No. 2 of Sheldon Creed that would take over after lap one and dominate on his way to a stage one victory. Ahead of the end of the first stage, the first start for 21-year-old Natalie Decker ended on lap 2 after a flat tire situation went from bad to worse as her No. 54 truck caught on fire at the entrance of pit road.
As the green flag dropped for the start of stage two of the Next Era Energy 250 with the No. 13 of Johnny Sauter out in front. After one caution in the stage that involved the No. 02 of Tyler Dippel, No. 49 of Ray Ciccarelli and the No. 47 of Chris Fontaine as they spun into the turn three infield grass.
Out of the caution, the No. 17 of David Gilliland led the way, his fortunes would turn for the worst in one of the 7 cautions in the final stage on lap 100, sending the race into NASCAR Overtime.
It would take two NASCAR Overtimes to seal this one as the No. 63 of Bobby Gerhart, the No. 22 of Ben Rhodes and the No. 52 of Stewart Friesen got into each other in turn two. This wreck almost took out the No. 16 of Hill.
However, Hill was able to maintain the lead and cruise to his first ever win at Daytona International Speedway, not only being able to take the checkered flag but surviving the carnage that precluded the celebration.
“I had a really big run on the – I think it was the 99 (Ben Rhodes) – we were in second. I went to get under him and he came to block.” said Hill, ” When he did, we touched and we both got it back together, but we lost both of our momentum and the outside lane got a big run, got turned and it flipped the 99. Luckily, I don’t know how, but luckily we made it through. That was really the key moment for us getting that lead and just being able to take it. That whole last lap my heart was pounding. I thought they were going to get into my outside and it was going to be a drag race. The fuel situation, that was really big. I was just glad to make it across the start-finish line.”
The win punches Hill’s ticket to the Playoff’s, and the rest of the field turns their eyes toward Atlanta Motor Speedway, where they could punch their ticket Saturday, February 23rd.
