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Newsweek
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR Announces Relief For Austin Hill After Iowa Race Suspension
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. NASCAR has some relief for Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill following the race penalty suspension he served at Iowa last weekend for taking out Aric Almirola at Indianapolis. That meant he was out of the playoffs, since they require drivers to participate in all races. However, Hill has been pardoned by the sport, which makes him eligible for the playoffs. Hill was involved in a big controversy during the Xfinity race at Indianapolis, where he deliberately rear-right hooked Almirola in an act of retaliation. He was handed a five-lap penalty during the race. However, NASCAR handed him a one-race suspension later in the week, which kept him out of the race at Iowa. Hill had 21 playoff points. However, given the race suspension, he has lost all his points. Although the sport's waiver means he is eligible for the playoffs, he will not get back the points he collected through the season. Additionally, the playoff points that Hill scores up to the finale in September will not be counted. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, team, Richard Childress Racing, released a statement after he was handed the suspension, confirming that it will not appeal the penalty. The statement read: "Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway." The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi said that while the suspension has a serious impact on Hill's championship prospects, the penalty was much deserved. He said in a Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Dirty Mo Media video: "It's gonna be tough for Austin Hill in the playoffs, a championship favorite. He's got three wins this year [and] he's currently ranked fifth in points. Now, he'll get a waiver to make the playoffs and that's fine, but his road to the Championship 4 is much harder now than it would have been before Saturday's incident. "... This was a justified penalty. NASCAR got this one right. The caveat, of course, is the playoff points. NASCAR added that rule this year, and so that's really going to hit Austin Hill in the playoffs. You work all year during the regular season to get to bonus points that help you through each round. As we've seen many times, those can be the big difference between advancing and being eliminated. Austin Hill is not going to have those to fall back on. This has championship implications but again, when you look at what happened, this was a deserved penalty for Austin Hill."
Newsweek
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
NASCAR Announces Suspension for Austin Hill: Here's Why
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. NASCAR has announced a one-race suspension for Austin Hill after he rear-right hooked Aric Almirola during the Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis. Hill faced a five-lap penalty for reckless driving during the race, but now, NASCAR has announced its verdict. As a result of the suspension, Hill will miss the race at Iowa Speedway on August 3. A big impact of the suspension will be on his playoff points, as he is set to lose them all. The incident occurred when Hill took out Almirola as an act of retaliation for aggressive driving. Following the five-lap penalty, Hill's rant was heard on the radio. He said: "Oh they can go f**k themselves. F**k NASCAR. That is f***ing bulls**t. I'm f***ing sideways, I go to correct it back to the left, it gets locked to the left, I f***ing run into the 19 [Almirola]." Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, released a penalty report announcing Hill's suspension on X. A penalty has been issued following this past weekend's action at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. — NASCAR Communications (@NASCAR_Comms) July 29, 2025 Hill's team, Richard Childress Racing, announced that it will not be appealing the penalty. It stated: "Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway." Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to the No. 21 team following the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025. Austin Dillon will race the No. 21 Chevrolet at… — RCR (@RCRracing) July 29, 2025 Almirola finished the race in P35, one place behind Hill. Opening up about the incident, he said: "Oh, it was definitely intentional. He blocked me three times. He had damage on his nose, so he was really slow in the corners. So, it was time to go. I mean, we're coming to 10 laps to go or nine laps to go. Uh, the leaders are starting to put a gap on us. So, it's time to go, and I got him loose. Yeah, you just turn left and hook me in the right rears. Honestly, one of the biggest hits in my entire NASCAR career. Very reminiscent of the hit I took when I broke my back. "So, glad I'm okay, thankful to everybody back at the shop at Joe Gibbs Racing for building amazing race cars and making them safe. Disappointed, felt like we had a shot to win. I have so much fun every time we run these races. We have great race cars, and I love doing it. It's just unfortunate that guys like that, especially that guy. He stood up in front of a meeting at Martinsville and said he was going to be a role model for all the young kids to look up to, and racing etiquette, and I think that's kind of laughable after that one."
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Two Xfinity Teams Slammed With Major Penalties as NASCAR Drops the Hammer
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASCAR has confirmed two L1-level penalties for two NASCAR Xfinity teams: No. 87 Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet and the No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet. This follows the pre-race inspection at Talladega Superspeedway last weekend, where both cars violated regulations to their rear bumper covers. Sections 14.4.A and 14.4.11.C&D in the NASCAR Rule Book were specifically violated. With this, both teams have been fined $25,000 and deducted 20 driver and owner points, as well as 5 playoff points. Austin Green, driver of the Chevrolet, therefore drops to 48th position in the drivers' standings. Matt DiBenedetto, coming off a successful weekend at Talladega, stays in 24th place in the standings. Christian Eckes, driver of the #16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, Jeb Burton, driver of the #27 Golden Corral Chevrolet, Sammy Smith, driver of the #8 Pilot... Christian Eckes, driver of the #16 LeafFilter Gutter Protection Chevrolet, Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, Jeb Burton, driver of the #27 Golden Corral Chevrolet, Sammy Smith, driver of the #8 Pilot Chevrolet, and Justin Allgaier, driver of the #7 Hellmann's Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. MoreThe Rule Book states: "Unless otherwise specified, all body components must be used as supplied from the manufacturer without modifications." According to the violations confirmed by NASCAR, Sections 14.4.11.C&D specifically require teams to use the rear bumper cover Superspeedway extension, Five Star part #15001-45212, and also ensure that this extension must conform to NASCAR's specifications. The rear bumper cover extensions have a specific design to match the high speeds of superspeedway racing and how drafting creates unique aerodynamic demands for each car.
Newsweek
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Austin Hill Smashes Superspeedway Record After Surviving Talladega Chaos
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Richard Childress Racing's Austin Hill took the win at Talladega Superspeedway today after a close finish. NASCAR officials reviewed race footage to determine the Georgia native did indeed win as the caution flag was waved as the final lap ticked over. This is his first victory at Talladega and his third this 2025 Xfinity Series season. The last lap was complete chaos as then-race leader Connor Zilisch lost control after he clashed with Jesse Love in a duel for the front of the pack. The former's No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet hit the backstretch wall hard, prompting the caution flags. At this point in time, Hill, Jeb Burton, and Love were lined up for a photo finish, separated by mere inches. Burton finished second, and Love third. "I knew that it was just between [Jeb Burton] and I, because I saw when the yellow light flashed getting into Turn 3. I saw that flash, and right when it flashed, I looked left and me and the No. 27 were side-by-side and we were like a half-car length ahead of [Jesse Love]," Hill said about the finish. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2025 in Talladega, Alabama. Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26, 2025 in Talladega, to procedure, the field is frozen as soon as the caution lights are illuminated. Burton believed he was ahead, with him clearly emotional after the race. "Every angle I keep seeing, we win the race. Just frustrated with that, maybe they can give us a different angle here. I don't know what's so complicated, we're gonna protest, do whatever the hell we can do because I think we won this race. "We don't have a lot of chances to win, you know? That's what's frustrating." From reports from the track, the Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet team may seek further clarification on how the race ended. Hill, now holding the Xfinity Series superspeedway wins record after today's success, is over the moon after his Talladega win. "It just seemed like our car was really good. Everyone at RCR and RCR engines are bad to the bone, like always. We had to work. I thought the 2 (Love) was really good and when we got the push from the 2 going into [turn] one, he got inside of me and I thought that was a bad mistake and I should have covered it. So I thought we were done. But I just locked in and kept pushing the heck out of the 2-car. "I knew it was either me or the 27 [Burton]. "Man, to win them – any way you win them is always great – and finally to conquer Talladega, that's something I've really wanted to do for a long time," Hill said. "We've won at all these other superspeedways and to finally get it done at all the different superspeedways we go to, it just shows the 21 team can win at any of them and we're really good at this style of racing."
