Thursday, September 1, 2016

A.J. Allmendinger Will Pay Homage To Topeka Native

During the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in September, A.J. Allmendinger will pay homage to Shawnee Heights High graduate and Topeka resident Bruce Hill, who was the Winston Cup Series rookie of the year in 1975.

AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #47 Dillons/Glad to Give Chevrolet,
and Bruce Hill talk to the media back in May Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images



Allmendinger’s No. 47 Dillons/Kingsford Chevy will use the same paint scheme that Hill, 67, used in 100 Cup races during 1974-1981.

“To be able to have Bruce’s paint scheme I think is pretty awesome,” Allmendinger said. “ … We are going to go out there and try to make him proud.” Hill was stunned when he got a call from Allmendinger’s public relations rep to let him know about the throwback paint scheme, but it was a cathartic moment.

“It’s been 35 years or so since I’ve even been back in the garage area,” Hill said. “I was like a lot of guys back then that ran out of money and had to get out of it and couldn’t stand to go back without being involved in it, so it’s been an experience. It’s been fun. It’s brought back a lot of memories.”

Hill will try to get his old team together for a photo with Allmendinger’s car at the Sept. 4 race.

Unfortunately, Allmendinger scrapped plans to pay homage to Hill in another way.

“I was going to try to grow the mustache like he had back in the day,” Allmendinger said. “That thing was sweet by the way, but my baby face doesn’t grow a mustache that way.” McMurray eager to apply Chase lessons


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