Racing at his home track, the newly-resurfaced zMAX Dragway just outside Charlotte, NC, is always a highlight for Roy Hill, but carrying momentum into this weekend’s sixth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals has added to his enthusiasm.
Hill defeated Bo Kenney for the Super Stock FSS/B class trophy two weeks ago at the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, FL. Consistent performance from his FireAde 2000-backed Ford Mustang Cobra Jet also led him to a first-round victory in Super Stock eliminations.
“Gainesville was our first race of the year and we were very pleased with the results,” said Hill, a native of Sophia, NC. “We did a lot of testing over the winter, and we have some new parts and pieces we’re working with. Former NASCAR crew chief Greg Steadman is on board with us and we’re already seeing results from his help. On top of that, we had a very successful event last weekend at Rockingham Dragway with the 2nd annual Southeastern Jr. Dragster Spring Nationals presented by FireAde 2000 and we’re looking forward to seeing how things shake out this weekend at zMAX.”
Hill will help kick off the race festivities with a special promotional event Wednesday. He will join two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon and NASCAR Sprint Cup star Joey Logano for a “seat-swap” sponsored by Snap-on Tools.
“Cruz and Joey are both sponsored by Snap-on Tools and we’re excited to be working with them,” said Hill. “Cruz will drive Joey’s XFINITY Series stock car around Charlotte Motor Speedway, and Joey will warm up Cruz’s Funny Car. After that they’ll ride in a special Snap-on Tools branded Mustang from Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School, then they’ll race each other in a pair of our Phoenix Racing Ford Mustang Cobra Jets. It will certainly be interesting!”
When Hill takes to the track Friday morning to begin Super Stock qualifying, he’ll be joined by executives from several of his primary sponsors, including FireAde 2000, Alsco, Hughes Oilfield Transportation, and Charlotte-based Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated.
“This is always a big event for us since we host many of our valuable supporters,” Hill added. “I always enjoy it, but I also put that little bit of extra pressure on myself to perform well and put on a show for the people that make it possible for me to be out here racing.”
Any success Hill enjoys at the Four-Wide Nationals will certainly carry over to his next national event, the 28th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA SpringNationals near Houston, TX. After having Hughes Oilfield Transportation livery on the roof of his Cobra Jet in Charlotte, the logo will move to a more prominent placement on the hood for the race in Houston.
“The folks at Hughes Oilfield Transportation have supported us in a big way for the last couple years, and I’m honored that they’re stepping up their involvement this year,” Hill said enthusiastically. “The company is based in Odessa, TX, so the SpringNationals is one of the closest races for them to attend. They’ll also be involved in our corporate schools throughout the year, as well as our next Jr. Dragster Nationals event, which will be held June 18-20 at Atmore Dragway in Atmore, AL.”
