JR Hildebrand Takes on Pikes Peak with a 1999 NASCAR

Sponsored by Hot Wheels, the car retained its legendary original livery and underwent only minor modifications before tackling the "race to the clouds." Second in the 500 Indianapolis 2011 after a crash on the final turn, Hildebrand began preliminaries this Wednesday for the 103rd edition of the Pikes Peak hillclimb, which will take place this Sunday.

JR Hildebrand is taking one of his childhood favorites, Kyle Petty's '90s Hot Wheels car, up Pikes Peak.

And the photos? Pure fire. 🔥

📷 : IG/Larry Chen Photo pic.twitter.com/QcuSJphxvz

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 18, 2025

The American driver had already tried to participate in 2022 with a IndyCar, also very little modified, but the project fell through due to the significant number of modifications required to the engine in order to be competitive along the twenty kilometers of the track, which culminates at more than 4 m above sea level. A solution had been found to allow Hildebrand to participate in 000, but an IndyCar partner had vetoed the project.

With its naturally aspirated V8, the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix will undoubtedly stand out among the many entries in this weekend's race. Frenchman Romain Dumas is one of the favorites in his Ford Super Mustang-E.

ALSO READ > Pikes Peak is full for 2025, with four French entrants