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Bobby Gill, a talented racer known for his impressive four top-10 finishes in 16 career starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, passed away on October 17 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 65 years old. The news of his passing was shared by his family via social media.
"It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Bobby Gill. Bobby lost his battle to stage 4 brain cancer on October 17, 2024. Everyone knew him as this hard-nose racer. But this man had the biggest heart. He never was the easiest to get along with. But if he wasn't giving you a hard time, he didn't love you. We love you Bobby, you fought hard! RIP," the family’s statement read.
Funeral arrangements are still pending.
About Gill's career
Hailing from Dalton, Georgia, Gill achieved his best finish of sixth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at The Milwaukee Mile in July 1996, driving the No. 75 entry for Wayne Spears. Before his time in NASCAR, he made a name for himself in local short track racing, notably winning the prestigious Snowball Derby twice at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, in 1993 and 1997. He also triumphed in the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 1994.
Gill became a legend in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, winning four championships between 1999 and 2007, including three consecutive titles from 1999 to 2001. In the NASCAR Southeast Series, he achieved 10 wins in 82 starts and finished as the runner-up in the championship standings twice, narrowly missing the title by just one point in 1992 and four points in 1994.
Throughout his battle with cancer, the racing community rallied around Gill. Grant Enfinger, a contender in the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs, honored Gill with a special throwback paint scheme inspired by Gill’s early 2000s USAR Hooters Pro Cup car during an event at Martinsville Speedway in April.
“I am grateful for Codie (Rohrbaugh) and everyone involved in making this happen. I think this is great. I will be watching and cheering Grant (Enfinger) on Friday night," said Gill at the time of the paint scheme's reveal.
Johnny Sauter, a former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, also dedicated a recent victory in the Bigley Memorial Tune-Up at Freedom Factory to Gill.
“This one’s for Bobby. Bobby was my crew chief here back in November [in the 2023 Billy Bigley Memorial] when I just didn’t get going on that last restart. I felt like we kind of gave that one away. Just so pumped. I hope Bobby’s proud because Richie [Wauters] worked with Bobby for a long time. Just super special to get this win for him," Sauter stated in victory lane.
