In a second sitdown with In the Pits, Trent Dillard has experienced a few new tracks including the Charlotte ROVAL and Shendandoah, but still calls the the classic Shenandoah a favorite, while Alaska Raceway Park is one everyone should experience. The hard work his team, 860 Motorsports, puts into their cars is the first step to success, as he continues to work on his racing craft and win races.
Hometown: Wasila, AK
Number: - 34
Team: 860 Motorsports
Division: Legend Car Semi-Pro
Favorite track: Shenandoah Speedway
1. How did you get into racing?
Well, I’ve been racing my entire life, different sorts of motorsports. I raced snow machines and motocross when I was younger, then I jumped into a Bandolero when I was 13. I only ran like seven races and won six out of the seven races, I’m pretty sure.
2. How did you get your number?
So my number is negative 34 degrees, actually. If you look at it, there’s the negative 34, and then in the corner there’s the degree symbol. I got the 34 from my dad and his background in motocross, and then one of my guys that helped me back home, Doug Sheldon, he’s number negative 30 degrees, and I took that to showcase it for him.
3. Who’s your biggest inspiration for racing?
Doug [Sheldon] 100%. He helped me out the most when I first started racing.
4. What’s been your favorite racing memory?
I have a lot of good memories; I couldn’t name one right off the bat. A lot of the memories of racing are some of the dearest to me. Going all over the place racing with CJ has been a highlight of my life. It’s helped me and taught me so much. CJ’s helped me out more than I could have ever asked for.
5. Why should everyone go and race at Alaska Raceway Park?
The scenery’s beautiful. You see the mountains in the background. The track isn’t like any track I’ve ever raced on in the Lower 48.
6. How do you measure success while racing?
Just building and chipping away at things I’ve been struggling with, just trying to work towards being better. Set myself to a standard that I feel like I can be able to beat and just work at being better and better.
7. What’s your favorite track you’ve ever raced on?
The [Charlotte Motor Speedway} ROVAL was pretty fun, Shenandoah was pretty fun, and Hallett Motor [Racing Circuit] is up there. I really do like Shenandoah Speedway though, it’s a really fun track.
8. How was the transition into Legend Cars from all the previous things you have raced?
[Legend Cars] are harder to drive. Like a late model, you don’t have to roll the gas as smooth. In a Legend, you have to be precise.
9. What are your racing goals for 2026 and beyond?
To just do better and better. Just consistency. Build my confidence and prove to everyone what I can do and what my team knows I can do.
10. If you could race on any track in the world, what would it be?
24 hours of Le Mans would be pretty cool. Racing the GT cars on there would be pretty sick.
11. What’s the biggest lesson racing has taught you?
It’s not even racing that’s taught me lessons. It’s because I work at 860; I spend almost every day at the shop. Behind the scenes is insane. You wouldn’t believe how much effort it takes. It’s taught me that hard work beats talent; hard work will always beat talent.
12. What are some of your hobbies outside of racing?
Racing really is my life now, ever since I was 16. But outside of racing, I’m really just at 860. I mean, I grew up playing hockey, and I went out and bought a pair of skates. So sometimes when I’m free and if the rink is open, I’ll go skate, just because it clears my head. The last couple of years I’ve kind of just done my own thing.