NASCAR suspends Austin Hill for one race for hooking Almirola at Indy

Credit: Debbie Ross for Skirts and Scuffs

When the Xfinity Series field takes the green flag Saturday at Iowa Speedway, the Richard Childress Racing No. 21 Chevrolet will be piloted by another Austin. Cup Series driver Austin Dillon will fill in for Austin Hill.

The move comes after NASCAR penalized Hill on Tuesday for intentionally hooking the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, driven by Aric Almirola, on Lap 91 of the Pennzoil 250 last Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The incident ended Almirola’s day. NASCAR officials held Hill for five laps in the pits for rough driving, and he went on to finish 34th, one spot ahead of Almirola.

Richard Childress Racing said it will not appeal the penalty. Hill currently sits fifth in the driver standings with three wins this season.

Under a new rule instituted by NASCAR before the 2025 season, Hill must apply for a waiver to remain eligible for the Xfinity Series playoffs after missing a race.

While a waiver, if granted, would restore his playoff eligibility, it would come with a significant penalty. Hill would forfeit the 21 playoff points he has earned this season and be ineligible to accumulate additional playoff points before the postseason begins.