Hill Motorsports Overview
Hill Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team competing primarily in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and ARCA Menards Series East. Founded in 1991 and based in Thomasville, North Carolina, the team is owned by brothers Timmy Hill and Tyler Hill. Hill Motorsports fields the No. 56 Toyota vehicle part-time, with Timmy Hill as the primary driver. The team focuses on Toyota machinery and aims to strengthen its presence across multiple NASCAR and ARCA series.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Hill Motorsports was established in 1991, marking its entry into professional stock car racing with Jerry Hill driving the No. 56 Pontiac in the NASCAR Cup Series. The team was created to provide a competitive platform for the Hill family in stock car racing, with a focus on building a sustainable racing operation. Initially, the team operated on a modest scale, with Jerry Hill managing driving duties and the early organizational structure centered around family involvement and resourceful management. The early years laid the foundation for the team’s future participation in various NASCAR and ARCA series.
Growth Into NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Competition
The team expanded into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2001, debuting at Darlington with Jerry Hill behind the wheel of the No. 41 truck. This move marked Hill Motorsports’ commitment to competing at a higher level of stock car racing. Over time, the team developed its operations, including technical partnerships and expanding its driver lineup. The return to the Truck Series in 2019 with Timmy Hill driving the No. 56 Toyota Tundra part-time signaled a renewed focus on competitive growth. The team also extended its reach into the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East, further diversifying its racing portfolio.
Hill Motorsports Competitive Journey
Hill Motorsports has progressed steadily across multiple racing series since its inception. Starting in the NASCAR Cup Series in the early 1990s, the team transitioned to the Truck Series in the early 2000s and later expanded into ARCA competition. Throughout its journey, the team has focused on developing competitive machinery and gaining experience with Toyota vehicles, gradually improving its performance and presence in national stock car racing events.
Early Seasons and Development (1991–2000)
The team’s early years were marked by participation in the NASCAR Cup Series with Jerry Hill as the driver. The debut race at Dover in 1991 resulted in a 38th-place finish due to vibration issues. Over the following seasons, Jerry Hill competed sporadically, achieving modest improvements in qualifying and race finishes but without major breakthroughs. These formative years were essential for establishing the team’s operational base and gaining experience in top-level stock car racing.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (2001–2018)
Hill Motorsports entered the Truck Series in 2001, fielding the No. 41 and No. 47 trucks with Jerry Hill driving. The team showed steady progress with finishes improving to as high as 17th at Kentucky. After a period of limited activity, the team returned to the Truck Series in 2019 with Timmy Hill driving the No. 56 Toyota Tundra part-time. Notably, Timmy Hill secured the team’s first-ever top-five finish at the Texas Roadhouse 200 in Martinsville that year. The team continued to build momentum with drivers like Tyler Hill and guest drivers contributing to its competitive efforts. In 2021, Tyler Hill achieved a career-best second-place finish at Talladega, marking a new high point for the team.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2019–Present)
Currently, Hill Motorsports operates with Timmy Hill as the full-time driver of the No. 56 Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team maintains a strong relationship with Toyota as its manufacturer and continues to compete part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East. The ownership by Timmy and Tyler Hill ensures a family-driven approach, emphasizing steady growth and competitive consistency. Infrastructure improvements and strategic partnerships have been key to the team’s ongoing development. The team aims to enhance its competitive standing and expand its presence in national stock car racing.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Hill Motorsports focuses on maximizing performance through consistent vehicle preparation and strategic race execution. The team excels in endurance and intermediate track events, leveraging Toyota’s technical support and the driving skills of Timmy and Tyler Hill. Their approach emphasizes reliability, adaptability, and incremental improvement to build competitiveness within the NASCAR and ARCA series.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key moments for Hill Motorsports include the team’s NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1991, the Truck Series debut in 2001, and the return to the Truck Series in 2019. The first top-five finish in the Truck Series at Martinsville in 2019 and Tyler Hill’s second-place finish at Talladega in 2021 stand out as significant competitive achievements. These milestones reflect the team’s perseverance and gradual ascent in professional stock car racing.
Hill Motorsports Achievements and Results
Hill Motorsports has yet to secure race victories or championships but has demonstrated steady progress and competitive resilience across its racing programs. The team’s focus on development and strategic participation has positioned it as a consistent contender within its series.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
Since returning to the Truck Series in 2019, Hill Motorsports has competed in over 130 races. The team’s highlight includes a top-five finish at Martinsville in 2019 and a second-place finish at Talladega in 2021. While the team has not yet captured a race win or pole position, these results mark important competitive milestones and showcase the team’s potential.
ARCA Menards Series Achievements
Hill Motorsports began competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series in 2025 with Timmy Hill driving the No. 56 Toyota. Early participation includes a sixth-place finish at Dover International Speedway, demonstrating promising performance in the series. The team aims to build on these initial efforts to establish a stronger presence in ARCA competition.
ARCA Menards Series East Achievements
The team also competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series East starting in 2025. Timmy Hill’s involvement has included overcoming challenges such as a crash at Rockingham, followed by a return to form with competitive finishes. These early experiences are foundational as Hill Motorsports seeks to expand its competitive footprint in regional stock car racing.