Richmond native talks about returning for NASCAR Cup Series

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Sam Hunt Racing returns to Richmond Raceway this Easter weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series. 8News got the chance to catch up with Hunt before his driver hits the raceway.

Hunt, a Richmond native, said the start of the race is actually the quietest part of his weekend.

“It’s just making sure that our crew chiefs, our drivers and everybody’s got what they need to compete, [then] sit back once the green flag falls and hopefully enjoy a competitive race and get to see my people do what they work so hard to do,” Hunt said. 

Hunt started his racing career in 2012 when he was only 19 years old. Under the mentorship of JD Gibbs, he earned a business and finance degree at Virginia Commonwealth University, then started his own racing team.

His driver, Corey Heim, will race in the Xfinity Series on Saturday after winning the Circuit of Americas Truck Series earlier this month.

“He’s one of the highest prospects in NASCAR right now, and he’s a great, hardworking kid,” Hunt said. “We have a really good relationship and he’s really bought into our program and wants to be the first guy to win a race in our car.”

As if the opportunity to win wasn’t enough motivation, Hunt will also be performing in front of his loved ones. 

“When we’re competing in front of a big home crowd — you know, there’s extra pressure, ” Hunt said. “But, you know, I think great athletes, [great] sport teams are built through pressure situations. So we kind of look forward to it. And it’s always nice having familiar faces around you when you’re competing.”