With RIR set to be the first of several races for Roderick under the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing banner for the remainder of the 2011 season, the team looks to set a positive presence not only in the garage but on the racetrack as well.
To mentally prepare himself for his second NNS battle of the season, the Lawrenceville, Georgia native had hoped to compete in the Kevin Whitaker 140 at Greenville (S.C.) Pickens Speedway on Labor Day in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East for Spraker Racing Enterprises. But Mother Nature dashed those plans forcing the event to be rescheduled.
Knowing that the competition has the tendency to be stiffer on Friday night, Roderick feels that staying behind the wheel of a racecar is crucial for not only earning the respect of his competitors but further advancing his career with seat time.
“I think everyone associated with Randy Hill Racing is looking forward to Richmond this weekend,” said Roderick, a former winner in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. “Randy Hill has made a pledge in times where teams are merging and closing up to enter NASCAR with an open mind, a lot of positive energy and a mission.”
The 19-year old added, “We’re hoping that the No. 08 Randy Hill Racing Ford Mustang will be good on Friday. We know we’ll have to qualify our way into the show, but I’m confident with the equipment and personnel surrounding our team, we can easily get that job accomplished. It’s about learning and taking the checkered flag. Heck, I’m just thankful to even be racing – let alone in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.”
Leading the entourage for RHR will be Motorsports veteran Jeff Spraker. The former NASCAR driver himself will take the role as crew chief and driver coach on Friday night. Spraker’s overall success and dedication to the industry is already having an impact on Hill.
“I could not be happier right now,” said Hill, a native Texan. ”We inhaled our first experience of Nationwide competition at Watkins Glen and I was thrilled with the results. We head to a short track now which is a complete opposite of a road course. Casey comes from a rich history of success in short track racing and Jeff has been around for nearly 30 years, so I’m highly optimistic about Friday.”
In addition to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East event, Roderick and Spraker recently worked together in a stint of three ARCA Racing Series events where the team shined with speed and finesse. During those contests, the two created a firm bond which they hope will continue to strengthen as time presses on.
“I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to work with a talent like Casey,” said Spraker. “I’ve worked with a lot of drivers, but here’s a kid that I didn’t know a lot about and he impressed me the first time he climbed inside a racecar. We went to three ARCA races and his desire to please while show speed on the racetrack was evident from the moment he walked into the garage.”
He added, “I think our Ford Mustang will be solid this week. We’ve got some great horsepower from RoushYates. Casey and I will talk strategy for practice, qualifying and the race. I think overall, though, we’ll be fine.”
From Richmond, the Randy Hill Racing team tentatively plans to compete at Kansas Speedway, Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway, the site of RHR’s home track debut.
The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 (250 laps / 187.5 miles) is the 27th of 35 races on the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series tour. Practice beings Friday, September 9, with a one-hour and 15 minute session planned from 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. A final practice session has been etched in from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Qualifying is set for later in the day set to launch at 4:05 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN2, the Motor Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Satellite, Channel 90). Pre-race coverage of the contest lifts off at 7:00 p.m. also on ESPN2.
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