Austin Hill suspended for 1 NASCAR Xfinity race for wrecking Aric Almirola at Indianapolis

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29-07-2025

Austin Hill is suspended for one NASCAR Xfinity Series race after the contact between he and Aric Almirola that produced a late-race crash in the July 26 race at Indianapolis, NASCAR announced July 29.
The suspension also takes away Hill's 21 playoff points earned across the 2025 season and any playoff points earned throughout the rest of the regular season. That condition is a part of a NASCAR rule change made before the 2025 season. Hill will have to apply for a waiver to retain his playoff eligibility.
Richard Childress Racing has not announced its decision regarding an appeal. The Xfinity Series is next on the track on Aug. 2 at Iowa Speedway.
Hill and Almirola were racing inside the top five late in last weekend's Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Almirola made initial contact to move Hill up the race track into turn 3, and Hill was out of shape through the corner. After correcting the car in the short chute, Hill turned to the left and made contact with Almirola in the right rear.
Almirola spun and made significant contact with the outside wall heading into turn 4, with Hill also suffering damage.
Hill pleaded his case over the radio, saying he was not trying to make intentional contact with Almirola.
NASCAR (and Almirola) disagreed, issuing a five-lap penalty to Hill, who had an expletive-filled tirade after being informed about the penalty.
Almirola told CW Network after being released from the infield care center that the contact from Hill was clearly intentional.
Hill finished 34th, five laps down, while Almirola finished 35th.
Hill left Indy with the third-most playoff points accrued this season, behind Connor Zilisch (29) and Justin Allgaier (22). But that count resets to zero, making his margin of error during the first playoff round virtually none.
NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff picture after Austin Hill suspension, penalty
Top 12 make playoffs; drivers with wins are locked into playoffs
Connor Zilisch (29 playoff points; 5 wins)
Justin Allgaier (22 playoff points; 3 wins)
Brandon Jones (8 playoff points; 1 win)
Sammy Smith (7 playoff points; 1 win)
Jesse Love (6 playoff points; 1 win)
Nick Sanchez (6 playoff points; 1 win) (Pending playoff waiver)
Austin Hill (0 playoff points; 3 wins)
Sam Mayer +193 ahead of 13th
Carson Kvapil +78
Sheldon Creed +67
Taylor Gray +59
Jeb Burton +10
Harrison Burton -10 behind 12th
Ryan Sieg -20
Dean Thompson -57
Christian Eckes -69
Daniel Dye -78
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Austin Hill suspended for 1 NASCAR Xfinity race for wrecking Aric Almirola