By AMANDA VINCENT
Austin Hill, driver of the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has been suspended by NASCAR from Saturday’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa Speedway in Newton. Austin Dillon, one of RCR’s NASCAR Cup Series drivers, will drive the No. 21 at Iowa.
NASCAR officials decided Hill intentionally wrecked Aric Almirola late in the Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26. After Almirola made contact with Hill, Hill looked to retaliate by hooking Almirola’s car in the right-rear, sending Almirola head-on into the wall. Hill was penalized five laps for the incident during the Indianapolis race.
“That was a cheap shot, 100 percent,” Almirola said.
Hill said that the contact wasn’t intentional, though.
RCR is not appealing the penalties that also include the loss of all playoff points earned during the regular season.
“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,” a statement from the race team read. “We remain focused on winning a championship with Austin Hill in 2025.”
Hill has three wins through the first 21 races of the 2025 season.
NASCAR’s penalties from the Indianapolis race weekend also include two-race suspensions for Kellen Mills and John Rosselli, pit crew members on the No. 43 Legacy Motor Club team of driver Erik Jones in the NASCAR Cup Series. Their suspensions resulted from one of Jones’ wheels coming off his car during the Brickyard 400 at IMS on July 27.