Austin Hill is making his return to the racetrack this weekend after serving a one-race suspension imposed by NASCAR due to his involvement in a serious incident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The situation unfolded when Hill was pushed out of the way by Aric Almirola, leading to Hill’s car making contact with Almirola and sending him into the outside wall.
Despite Hill’s claims that the collision was unintentional, NASCAR decided to suspend him, which resulted in him missing the Xfinity race at Iowa Speedway. Although he has received a playoff waiver, the suspension means Hill forfeited all 21 playoff bonus points, significantly impacting his chances for the championship title.
As he prepares to race at Watkins Glen, Hill expressed his determination to stick with his aggressive racing style. “I’m a hard-nosed racer. It was fully unintentional,” he stated in an interview. He referenced a previous incident involving Cole Custer, for which he was penalized, emphasizing that the circumstances were different this time. “This instance was a totally different deal,” he said.
Hill also reflected on an outburst he had over the radio after receiving the penalty, where he expressed frustration towards NASCAR. He acknowledged, “The only thing I wish I could take back are the things I said on the radio,” but was confident heading into the upcoming race, highlighting the performance of his Chevrolet.
Overall, Hill’s resilience and commitment to his driving style showcase the competitive spirit within NASCAR, demonstrating that even in challenging situations, drivers can learn and grow from their experiences. As he heads back to the track, fans will be eager to see how he channels these lessons into a strong performance.