C.E. Falk Drives For Hillman Racing In Kentucky

C.E. Falk III’s racing career has included dozens of main event wins throughout Virginia and the Carolinas. The multi-time Late Model track champion’s journey takes him to Kentucky Speedway this weekend, for his 2012 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut with Hillman Racing in the UNOH 225.

C.E. Falk

“To go to Kentucky is really awesome,” said Falk. “I’ve never even been in the state. To go race is pretty sweet. It’s going to be the biggest track I’ve ever been on and I’m really looking forward to going wide open in qualifying. It’s a huge opportunity for me to run well, I just hope we have a lot of fun.”

The 24-year-old Virginia Beach, Va., native is no stranger to the national racing scene. He is currently second in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national standings, with nine victories. Falk has won multiple times on the three Virginia short tracks he’s competed on this season; his home track of Langley Speedway, South Boston Speedway and Motor Mile Speedway. Since the 2007 season, when he joined the Late Model ranks on a full-time basis, Falk has won 45 times, recording 109 top-five and 128 top-10 finishes in 152 starts.

“It’s all about gaining experience. You always learn something new every time you go race,” Falk said. “That’s why you see guys like Kyle Busch run so well all the time, because they’re always in a car and they’re always learning. You always want to keep getting better as a driver; you’re always going to make mistakes.”

Falk gained his first taste of national recognition with his victory in the 2010 Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Southside Speedway near Richmond, Va. He outraced several top Sprint Cup Series drivers, including Hamlin, three-time Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and others to win the charity Late Model race.

Falk (40) is a winner in the Late Model ranks

“I’m glad I’m not 18 going into this race,” Falk said. “I’m glad I’m 24 and have had this experience, I’ve been through the ups and downs of the sport. I just think it’s made me a better driver and we’ll get a better result. The truck race is going to be fun. You’ve got to race them hard. There’s a lot of young guys out there like me, and a lot of veterans who don’t want to give spots away. It’s definitely going to be give-and-take out there. It’s really huge and I can’t wait for next Thursday.”

Falk will drfive the No. 27 Chevrolet for Hillman Racing. The organization, in its first season of Campiung World Truck Series competition, is 19th in the Truck Series owner standings after fellow Virginians Ward and Jeb Burton piloted the Silverado earlier in the season. Ward Burton, the 2002 Daytona 500 champion, finished eighth in the season opener at Daytona, and Jeb followed with finishes of 19th or better in four of the next five races. The younger Burton finished eighth at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway, which gives the team something to build on for Falk’s debut at Kentucky.

“I’ve followed C.E.’s racing career and I’m glad that we can provide him with the opportunity to showcase his talents in one of NASCAR’s national touring series,” said team owner Mike Hillman, Sr. “We’re all confident in C.E.’s ability and we’ve got a great group of guys at Hillman Racing that know how to work with young drivers to get them comfortable with the transition from Late Models. I’m looking forward to watching C.E. Thursday and seeing him take the next step in his NASCAR career.”