Augie Grill Chasing Sixth Alabama 200 Victory at Montgomery

When the Show Me the Money Series concluded its 2024 season at Montgomery Motor Speedway, Augie Grill scored an emotional victory and shared in victory lane that he had been diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.

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As the season kicks off at Montgomery this Saturday with the Alabama 200, Augie Grill is back, looking for his sixth victory in the historic event.

Following Friday's practice day at the Alabama half-mile, Grill was confident in the speed of his car. The Hayden, Alabama native spent much of Friday experimenting on his No. 112 entry, taking full advantage of the practice opportunity.

"We practiced a week ago, and the thing was really good," Grill told Racing America. "We were just playing around with some stuff [Friday] that you don't really get a chance to mess with. Just testing some stuff out, seeing what don't work, because it's easier to find that than what actually helps.

"We just made a few runs there today. We'll probably bolt on some new tires [Saturday] and see where we stack up."

Grill's cancer journey continues, and he admits there is still a long road ahead of him. However, he feels good, his energy level is high, and his desire to race remains as strong as ever.

Grill went to victory lane on the eve of the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in December, winning the Faith Chapel Outlaws 50 to close out a busy Saturday that included an attempt to qualify for the Snowball Derby and taking part in the Allen Turner Snowflake 100.

RELATED: Augie Grill Claims Ninth Career Snowball Derby Weekend Win in Outlaw 50

"It's going to be a long process," said Grill. "The route I've decided to take is just going to take a while, but I feel good on a day-to-day basis. That's what's most important to me. We're just humping along here, and we'll see what happens."

When Grill puts on fresh tires during Saturday's practice, he'll have a better understanding of where he stacks up against the field of 27 entrants for the $10,000-to-win Pro Late Model race. While the track will cool off significantly as the sun sets before the green flag on Saturday's race, his experience tells him that will only improve the handling of the car.

"Normally, this place just grips up when it's cool," explained Grill. "If you've got a good car in the day time, it's just going to make it better at night. Everybody will just be a little faster. Hopefully, we'll get it turning as good as we can and get off the corners as good as we can, we'll be alright."

While he doesn't have any set plans for the rest of the 2025 season, that's been standard procedure for Grill for several years now. He hopes to compete regularly at Montgomery as well as a couple of races in the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series at Five Flags Speedway.

Beyond that, it's a week-to-week endeavor as the veteran balances family life, work, and his desire to race.

"I've not tried to plan anything the last couple of years. I just try to take them as they come. I'd like to run all the races here, some of the Pro races at Pensacola, run my Super car a couple of times. I don't really have anything set in stone.

"Normally, if a race weekend goes good, I'm more apt to go to another one quicker than I would be if we get tore up. It's hard to plan around that, around business and around time with the kids. A lot of times, I don't even know what's going on."

For now, the focus is on another Alabama 200 triumph and the coveted bear trophy. Most importantly, Grill knows you have to be on track in the final stages of the 200-lap race to have any shot at the win.

"You've got to be around at lap 200," said Grill. "That's first and foremost. Try to have the car as good as you can for the duration of a run.

"Try to have our car better than everyone else's, and we should have a good shot at it."

Montgomery Motor Speedway opens its grandstand gates at 3 p.m. CT for the 61st Alabama 200 on Saturday, March 1, with racing starting at 6 p.m. CT.

Fans can also watch the event live on RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to subscribe today and watch all of the action from Montgomery on Saturday. Along with the Pro Late Models, the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour will race for 61 laps before the Alabama 200.

-Photo credit: Will Bellamy