Stories and photos by
Terry Spradley
Eighth in a Series
Salina Speedway Super Stocker pushing it to the Hilt
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| Jeff Hilt relaxes on his back patio while discussing his racing career, and personal life. |
Growing up in western Kansas , following his older brother to all the racetracks was ‘cool’ back then. Now his older brother follows him.
Jeff Hilt, Salina , currently leads the Salina Speedway, Super Stock points chase by a slim margin. His older brother Tom only a mere 4 points behind him as the racers entered the month of June. “I’m happy for him, because last year he really struggled,” Jeff said. When we are racing on the track, if I beat him, I wish it were somebody else. You don’t like beating your brother, but when we’re on the track, it’s just another race car you have to beat.”
Hilt got his first spin around a dirt circle at the age of 16 when he drove his brother’s hobby stocker in a ‘mechanics only’ race. At eighteen, he built his own car and raced it for one year before joining the military. “I joined the Army and I didn’t race for forever,” Hilt said. “I got started back up with Mike Peterson, (Lindsborg), he and I built a cruiser car together. We raced that for three years.” Hilt’s sister, Wendy was married to Peterson at the time and he has played a part in both of his brother-in-laws racing careers. Peterson is one of Lindsborg’s ‘old school’ drivers, and original owner of the yellow #33 that helped start the Dauer racing legacy. He and Hilt both took turns driving the ‘cruzer’ car, but Hilt did the lion’s share of the circle burning.
“Jeff was younger, and a really good guy,” Peterson said. “He would rather finish last and not hit anybody, than finish first and take somebody out.” Hilt has won the speedway’s Sportsman of the Year award multiple times in recent years. The Sportsman award is presented to the driver who shows the most sportsmanlike conduct and attitude. The speedway drivers themselves cast the votes for the award.
Peterson Irrigation is still Hilt’s biggest sponsor. The white on yellow Peterson logo is displayed high on the side panels of the purple Pontiac Grand Prix. Higher than the dents, dings and tire marks, that has marred the appearance of the large red #12 on both sides of the car. Bennett Autoplex, Universal Oils, and B & J Auto add to the Hilt racing effort.
Jeff was born in Ft Leavenworth Kans., and then adopted by Merlyn and Rita Hilt, Lindsborg, before his first birthday. The announcement during our interview surprised his 8-year-old son Drew. “Seriously, I never knew that,” Drew said as he looked up from the racing article he was reading. Hilt’s wife Tami works at home managing the house and the couple’s two children. Drew attends school at Coronado grade school in Salina. 18-year-old stepdaughter Magie works as a CNA at Windsor Estates and will be starting college at Ft. Hays State in the fall. 
Driving is not only Hilt’s hobby but also his occupation. After finishing his stint in the U.S. Army, Hilt left Ft. Riley and took a job driving trucks out of Salina . For the past nine years, he has owned and operated Hilt Trucking, which services a shipping contract for Tony ’s Pizza.
In 2000, Salina Speedway started the current version of the hobby stock class. Hilt left the cruzers progressing through the hobby class and into the super stockers he races today. Money is always a concern when racing at any level, but the time commitment to stay at the top of your game is an even bigger concern. “If it wasn’t for David Kohler, ( Beloit ,) I wouldn’t be able to race,” Hilt said. Kohler is part owner of Hilt’s purple number 12. “My car goes to Beloit every week. Because of my job, I don’t have time to prepare a racecar. David does that.” Kohler also helps with the set-up on Tom Hilt’s car.
Kohler himself has a history of racing. He and his brothers spent many nights circling the track in the 3K super stocker. Kohler now works as a design engineer at Sunflower Manufacturing in Beloit . He puts the science of computer drafting to work for the Hilt brothers. “I have the Salina Speedway, (specked out), on my computer,” Kohler said. “Jeff probably doesn’t know this but I race him and Tom’s car on there a couple of times a week.” The two have been partners for about 5 years. Bill Bergman, Simpson, is also a valuable member of the Jeff Hilt racing team. When the purple Grand Prix sits in the winners circle, Kohler and Bergman help to put it there.
Hilt is currently in his ninth year of racing. With the strong support of family, partners, and sponsors, Jeff, and his brother Tom will both likely be successful in their sport for sometime, more importantly though, with Hilt’s drive and sportsmanlike conduct he is sure to achieve many more successes off the track as well.
Drivers of high caliber and high fortitude can be seen slinging mud and trading paint every Saturday night through September at Salina Speedway.
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| Jeff Hilt #12, takes the high line as he fights off, Ryan Rairden, #15, in the Super Stock heat race 1 at Salina Speedway. Hilt is currently leading the series in points for 2005 |