You want grit? You want determination? You want a driver who wrings every last ounce of speed out of his machine, no matter the odds? That’s Landon Cassill—the quintessential underdog, a racer’s racer, and now, a Wall of Fame inductee.
But if you thought this was the NASCAR Hall of Fame, think again. Cassill’s latest honor isn’t coming from Daytona or Charlotte, but from his true home track—Hawkeye Downs Speedway. And in true Landon Cassill fashion, he’s already given fans a hilarious and brutally honest story about the time he threw a track bar mount at Jim Williams after getting wrecked at just 14 years old.
Hawkeye Downs Honors a Local Hero
Hawkeye Downs Speedway, the track where Cassill cut his teeth as a young racer, is celebrating its 100th Wall of Fame induction, and the lineup is stacked with names that have shaped Midwest racing.
📌 Landon Cassill (NASCAR veteran, grassroots racing hero)
📌 Ken Schrader (NASCAR legend, short-track icon)
📌 Jim Williams (Yes, the same guy Cassill beefed with at 14!)
📌 Max Rogers & Bom Ballard (Short-track racing stalwarts)
Cassill’s roots at Hawkeye Downs run deep—it was where he honed his skills before making it to NASCAR, competing in the ASA Late Model Series and Legends Cars. His passion for the track never faded, and now, he’s back to claim his spot among its legends.
The Wild Side of Landon Cassill
Cassill might be known for his humble demeanor, but make no mistake—he’s got a firecracker temper on the track.
🗣️ “I can’t wait to share those stories with everyone as we get closer to the event, including the time I threw a track bar mount at Jim Williams after he wrecked me. (I was 14).”
That wasn’t the first time Cassill’s temper boiled over.
🔹 2008: The Bobby Hamilton Jr. Feud—While driving for JR Motorsports, Cassill got tangled up with Bobby Hamilton Jr. at Loudon and Memphis, and it ended with a heated confrontation post-race.
🔹 His NASCAR Climb—From Nationwide Series poles to grinding it out with underfunded teams, Cassill has always fought tooth and nail for every inch on the track.
More Than Just a Driver: Cassill’s Lasting Impact
While Cassill stepped away from full-time NASCAR competition, he hasn’t left the sport behind. Through Cassill Motors, he’s sponsoring young drivers, giving back to the track where his journey began.
And there’s a family legacy at stake, too. His father, Roger Cassill, once owned Hawkeye Downs Speedway, and though the track was leased out for years, the Cassill family recently reclaimed its place in its history.
Now, Hawkeye Downs is undergoing a massive $33.8 million redevelopment, ensuring that the next generation of racers can make their own mark—just like Landon Cassill did years ago.
A Career That’s Far From Over
Cassill isn’t done making history. Whether it’s mentoring future stars, racing on short tracks, or giving fans incredible stories about his wildest racing moments, he remains a beloved figure in motorsports.
And come July 25th, when he’s officially inducted into the Hawkeye Downs Wall of Fame, we might finally get the full, unfiltered story of that legendary track bar mount throwdown.
