A legend in the sport of drag racing for more than forty years, Roy Hill’s resume includes 28 IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) national event victories and 31 runner-up finishes as a driver and team owner. Hill was also the team owner for 1995 IHRA Pro Stock World Champion Mike Bell, and is the founder of the acclaimed Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School.
A true “rags-to-riches” story, Hill grew up in the rural town of Sophia, North Carolina. What he lacked in material possessions he made up for with determination and drive, putting him on the fast track to success. Acquiring many of his racing skills and techniques from “The King” of NASCAR, seven-time champion Richard Petty, Hill learned how to be the best from one of the greatest racers in history. He credits his success to the Petty family and his lifelong friendship with drag racing icons Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin. Only one week after his first drag race in a local event, Hill jetted into the highly-competitive Super Stock class, quickly dominating the Carolina and Virginia asphalt.
Throughout the 1970’s Hill joined forces with Petty Enterprises. Steering his Pro Stock car to numerous victories, he competed in IHRA and National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) events, divisional and regional events, and countless match races.
Hill’s desire to promote the sport, nurture budding talent and hone the skills of established drag racers inspired him to found Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School in 1989. Under his tutelage, professional drag racers such as Warren Johnson and Doug Herbert flourished. Richie “The Kid” Stevens, a true Roy Hill protégé, snagged the record as the youngest driver to capture a Pro Stock national event victory and took home the title of IHRA Rookie of the Year in 1996. 1999 marked yet another milestone in Hill’s career as he unveiled his newest venture, Roy Hill’s Driving Experience.
