David Hill

The Most Winningest Driver….Of Modern Era

By Bonnie Nibblett

October 21, 2004

Delmar, DE…..The most winningest driver of the Modern Era at the Delaware International Speedway (DIS) holds the title to Late Model Driver David Hill of Trappe, MD. Modern Era would consist from the 70’s to now.

David started racing in 1973, in go-karts at the age of 11, some 26 years ago. From there David entered a new class at DIS run for the first time in 1978 called Mini-Stock, with cars like Pintos and the likes. In that first year, he won 9 features out of 13 and the Championship. "The following season I started driving in Late Models and loved it," said Hill. Hill drives the bright red numbered seventy-five, Hertrich Pontiac, Hill’s Electric Motor Services, Dorchester Lumber, Star Associates, Taylor’s Chicken & Ribs, Rocket powered machine with a Draime Racing Engine each weekend. Why did you start driving a late model? Well, my Dad did, and I just wanted to drive a late model. My Dad holds two track Champions as well. When I started in Late Models we all just pitched in and I became the main driver then, answered David.

Hill said, "That is pretty much what my family has always done each weekend. My Father, (Larry) use to drag race, my Brothers and me, (Steve & Mark) both raced go-karts and my Mom (Pat) has supported us all and loves racing just as much, plus she has climb behind the wheel a time or two," commented Hill. "Every weekend we all go to the races remarked Pat, for as long as I can remember almost. That is just what we do and we love it. In fact, this year was the first time we ever, missed a race, and that was when David decided to go on a vacation back the week of June 12^th," added Pat.

David holds all types of records in his racing career. For one he is the most winningest driver of all the classes at the Delaware International Speedway in Delmar, with 9 Mini Stock wins and 135 Late Model wins, 35 wins at the former Seacoast Speedway, Georgetown, DE , 9 at the Potomac Speedway, in Potomac, MD and 1 win at the Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD. That is about 180 wins total so far in his career and he is not done yet.

When asked what he felt like one of his most rememberable wins? David answered, “That would be the Diamond State 50 in 2002. I was really proud of that win.” What is your favorite track David? "Delmar and the Potomac," remarked Hill. In 2004, Hill won 5 features alone and was second in points for the second year in a row. Last year Hill finished just 16 pts out of first place and this year only 86 pts. Remember he missed one race, and sometimes that can hurt you and if a driver has any other problems in the season, everything contributes. You know you have to run consistent with wins, top 5’s and 10’s the best you can each week.

Hill’s stats confirm to have 6 top 5’s and 7 top 10’s out of 21 events. That’s more than half in the top ten each week, now that’s pretty impressive. You can see Hill on any given Saturday night at DIS while the season is in swing. Only one more events on the calendar, which is the Delaware State Dirt Championship held Nov. 6 & 7. It is a really big event with a lot of cars at the track; be sure not to miss that for all your dirt action. See you at the track!