By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
The defending NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series championship team Hattori Racing Enterprises has a new driver for 2019.
On Tuesday, the organization announced that Austin Hill will be joining their team for the 2019 campaign.
Hill, a native of Winston, Georgia, is a graduate of the 2014 and 2015 NASCAR Next program. He has 51 Truck series starts and completed his first full-time year in 2018 with Young’s Motorsports. In the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Hill captured five victories in 39 starts.
“I’m thrilled to join HRE this season,” Hill said in a statement. “Shige has built a great team and what they accomplished last season has me extremely optimistic heading to Daytona. I’ve had the pleasure to work with great teams in the past, including my family’s team in the K&N Series, but this is an opportunity of a lifetime at HRE. Scott and the team proved what they’re capable of last season, and I can’t wait to get to work and see what we can accomplish this season.”
Team owner Shige Hattori is excited to have Hill join the organization.
We’re proud of what all of our team members did last season, and I’m looking forward to having Austin drive our trucks and work with United Rentals and all of our partners,” Hattori said. “Austin had a great career in the K&N Pro Series and did well in his first full-time truck series season last year. I’m looking forward to what we can do together this season.”
Scott Zipadelli will remain has the crew chief of the No. 16 Toyota Tundra.
“I’m really looking forward to racing with Austin and continuing our team’s success,” Zipadelli said echoeing the sentiments of Hattori. “Austin is a great kid and has a lot of potential. He has a great track record in the K&N Series and put together a strong year last season with Young’s Motorsports. I think he’ll transition well into our program and fit right in with our group.”
United Rentals will be the sponsor for multiple races in 2019. Additional partnerships will be announced at a later date.