WATKINS GLEN -- To say that Lockport native Mike Hillman Sr. has much on his plate these days

at Germain Racing is a bit of an understatement.

Thankfully for him, he has sons Mike Jr., Mark and daughter Melanie to count on. It's all

about family.

And on Sunday, they'll all be part of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing at the Glen.

Hillman Sr. is the general manager for Germain Racing. The team has two cars at Watkins

Glen International this weekend, including the Sprint Cup No. 13 Toyota driven by Max Papis

and the Nationwide Series No. 15 Toyota driven by Michael Annett.

Papis will start 16th in Sunday's Heluva Good Sour Cream Dips at The Glen while Annett will

race in this afternoon's Zippo 200. Hillman's Cup team has now qualified for eight of the

eleven Cup races they have entered.

"Ever since we unloaded the Geico Toyota Camry it's been really good," Hillman Sr. said

after the team raced their way into Sunday's starting grid. "Max has done a good job. The

team's strong at these road courses. I really think we can run in the top 10 on Sunday. I'm

looking forward to Sunday."

Mike Hillman Jr. is the crew chief for the Germain team on the NASCAR Camping World Truck

Series, which is off this weekend. Driver Todd Bodine is fourth in the points standings.

Hillman Sr. and sons Mike and Mark were busy in the garage area Friday, while Melanie

Hillman, a team scorer will arrive today.

"With the economy, it's been really tough to get and keep sponsors," said Hillman. "But how

can things be any better? I get to work with my kids. I love what I do. Mike Jr., and Mark and

Melanie get to travel with us. I have another son Matt who is home and he watches every week

and cheers for us. ... I couldn't be more proud of my kids. My wife Sandy did a really great

job raising them and teaching them values."

Hillman's sons are equally proud of their dad.

"We try to run our race team like a family even with those who aren't related to us," said

Mike Jr., 30.

Mark too was very busy Friday.

"I do the front suspension and take care of the gas on the Cup car," said Mark, 29. "I help

out with our other teams when necessary but my primary thing is the Cup deal. This is a great

opportunity to work with your family, enjoy what you do and get paid to do it."

"I'm extremely happy to have a relationship with these guys," said Papis. "The family

values that I have are the same as they have."

* * *

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller served as the grand marshal for Friday night's Crown

Royal 200 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series event.

Miller came here to bring awareness to his Steadfast Foundation.

"I think that what's great is that in this area you can enjoy hockey in the winter," said

Miller, "and then enjoy what Western New York has to offer in the summer like auto racing

here."

* * *

The late Jim Riesbeck was named here Friday as this year's final inductee into The Legends

of The Glen. Riesbeck, an employee of Corning, Inc. at the time, arranged for his corporation

to purchase the track in 1984 and was instrumental in bringing the Cup series to the Glen two

years later.

* * *

Ricardo Zonta and Nic Jonsson drove the No.76 Ford to victory Daytona Prototype class of

the Crown Royal 200 Friday night while Jeff Segal and Emil Assentato in the No.69 Mazda won

the GT class.

Team owner Joe Sahlen of Elma was unable to drive his No.42 Corvette in the GT division

because he is taking medication for poison ivy. Wayne Nonnamaker of North Canton, Ohio,

stepped in as a replacement and, along with his brother, Will, finished 11th.