Austin Hill, Family Give Command For NASCAR Truck Series Race at Phoenix

On Friday night, prior to the start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 at Phoenix Raceway, Austin Hill, an eight-time Truck Series champion, brought his family to give the iconic pre-race command. Standing alongside his three children, Ashlyn, Lynnlee, and Kensley, and Barrett, Hill delivered the now-famous words, "Drivers, start your engines."

This was a rare occasion as full-time NASCAR drivers usually do not give the command prior to the race. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series X shared the moment on social media, praising Hill's command. This heartwarming moment allowed fans to see the family side of Hill, beyond his racing persona. Kaden Honeycutt emerged victorious in Friday night's race, extending his points lead to 39 over Layne Riggs with only three races remaining in the 2026 season.

The race had just two cautions, one at the end of Stage 1 and the other caused by debris. The final three races of the season are scheduled for Talladega, Martinsville, and Homestead. Hill, who is now set to become a full-time driver in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2027, recently joined Richard Childress Racing. He made history by competing in the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend after the sudden passing of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.

Hill, a 16-time winner in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, is best known for his skills on drafting tracks.