After spending an illustrious 18 years in the world of Motorsports, Bobby Hillin Jr. decided to hang his boots. He felt that there was not much competitiveness left in him. Though he had the will, he was unable to channel that into his performance. An obvious consequence was a phase that took a toll on his mental and physical health.

Surprisingly, at that instant, he was inspired by two legendary figures of NASCAR that motivated him through his retirement process. Dale Jr’s grandfather Ralph Earnhardt, and Joe Gibbs are the two people Hillin Jr is thankful to.

“I don’t want to be a quitter,” said an afraid Bobby Hillin Jr

Former NASCAR driver Bobby Hillin Jr, despite tasting early success, faced untimely setbacks in the later stages of his racing career. From being the youngest winner of the Winston Cup Series in 1986 to desperately trying to stay in the game, the former NASCAR record-holder opened up about his tough days on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download. During the conversation, Dale Jr shared how he feels racing is his only purpose in life. He also asked his guest about his mechanism to cope with a race-less year.

“You know when I’m raceless for a year I feel less than I feel like I don’t have a purpose. So how did you manage?” asked the host. Recalling his visit to Joe Gibbs, Bobby Hillin Jr replied, “I reached out to him and said I’d like to sit down and talk to you and I said you know the truth is it the last 10 years of my life, it’s just killing me that I can’t be more competitive and like it’s just tearing me apart and I know I’m not going to have any more opportunities.”

“And I just said you know but I can’t. I don’t want to be a quitter. I’m just worried that I’m gonna be labeled a quitter and I’m quitting. You know I don’t want to quit and you know leave too soon you know,” added the veteran. Recalling how Dale Sr helped him through the rough phase of his career, Bobby Hillin Jr continued, “I remember your granddad he’d say every year I race put two years on my life. So I’d been in NASCAR for 18 years. So and I felt I can tell you right now I felt older mentally, physically than I do today. I’m at better mental physical emotional shape today than I did on that day. “

WATCH: When NASCAR’s Talladega Superspeedway Robbery Birthed Infamous “Hold My Beer” Moment

Bobby Hillin Jr further acknowledged Joe Gibbs’ contribution to lift his spirits when he needed it the most. He said “Joe said look Bobby there are so many football players that came in and they had five six good years and they weren’t going to be Hall of Famers but they had good careers but they also weren’t going to be starting the next year and they weren’t gonna be you know they were going to maybe make the team but that was it. He said I encourage those guys to go on there so much life after this to go on and start that life and that’s just what I needed to hear.” Hillin Jr considers Gibbs’ words as an order from God as he needed the confidence to walk away from racing and move on for something better.

Bobby Hillin Jr’s illustrious career

Trending

“They Won’t Return Phone Calls “-Dale Jr’s Legendary Short Track Star Reveals NASCAR’s Dark Side Amid Diminishing Interest

April 26, 2024 12:56 PM EDT

Exclusive: Michael McDowell Reportedly the “Snitch” Who Got NASCAR Team Kicked Out at Talladega

April 26, 2024 07:44 PM EDT

“You’re Pissing Me Off” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Instantly Shuts Down Denny Hamlin’s Solution to Better Talladega

April 24, 2024 12:05 PM EDT

Exclusive: After Kyle Busch & Denny Hamlin’s Criticism of $5 Million NASCAR Decision, Crew Chief Admits to Feeling “Lost” at Talladega

April 27, 2024 09:08 AM EDT

Richard Childress Drops a Bold “Championships” Bomb Amidst Claims of Raising the Next Kevin Harvick

April 26, 2024 03:38 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Watching his father’s IndyCar team, Longhorn Racing, sparked Bobby Hillin Jr’s interest in racing. At the young age of 13, he began his stock car career and clinched the track championship at Odessa Speedbowl in Texas. By 16, he attended the Buck Baker Driving School, to sharpen his racetrack skills. Hillin made his debut in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series at just 17 years old. He drove a car owned and sponsored by his family, with Harry Hyde as a crew chief. This was during the 1982 Northwestern Bank 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He finished in the 21st place.

In 1984, he joined Stavola Brothers Racing. Within a couple of years, he became the youngest winner in NASCAR’s “modern era”. He did that by emerging victorious on the Talladega 500 for the team at the age of 22 years. After leaving the Stavola Brothers team, he started the 1991 season by qualifying for Moroso Racing in the Daytona 500. A seventh-place finish secured him a regular ride. However, sponsorship issues led to cutbacks, and Hillin was eventually released. After that, he briefly drove for Jimmy Means Racing before stepping in as a substitute driver in the Team SABCO.

It was inspiring to know about these intricate details of his life. This might work as a motivation for other drivers who could probably be at the same stage at any point in time.

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Teenage Acquisition Unlocks New Venture With Spire Motorsports for 2024