Austin Hill is In the Hot Seat Once Again After Watkins Glen Crash
There’s no day off from drama when Austin Hill is on the track, huh? After his recent one-race suspension, Hill decided to mark his return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series by, well, causing what can only be described as mayhem at Watkins Glen. And no, this wasn’t one for the highlights reel unless you’re into compilations of twisted metal and steaming driver interviews.
With just nine laps left in the final stage, Hill, driving car No. 21, got up close and personal with Michael McDowell’s No. 11 car. Picture this. Michael McDowell was navigating the corner with Austin Hill hot on his tail when suddenly, Hill turned and clipped McDowell’s rear. McDowell’s car spun out, kissed the wall hard, and set off a chain reaction that swallowed several other drivers in its wake.
Here’s what makes it worse. Austin Hill’s car. Barely a scratch. The No. 21 survived to tell the tale while drivers like Taylor Gray, Jesse Love, Ryan Sieg, and others weren’t quite as lucky. I mean, how many times can one guy cause carnage and walk away unscathed? NASCAR fans might call it “Hill-Luck.”
What the Other Drivers Had to Say
You didn’t need to be on Michael McDowell’s team radio to understand his frustration. His voice dripped with disbelief as he questioned, “What the heck is that guy doing? I mean why would he do that? … He hooked me.” Honestly, we’d love to know the same.
McDowell wasn’t alone in voicing his disdain. Connor Zilisch’s crew chief, Mardy Lindley, actually warned the broadcast before the final restart about Hill’s unpredictability. It’s never a great sign when multiple drivers and teams are bracing for impact… around just one guy.
Red Flags… Literal and Figurative
The wreck brought the race to a screeching halt as officials waved the red flag to handle the crash site. Medical crews checked on the drivers, wreckage was cleared, and the tension among drivers hit a boiling point. Meanwhile, fans grabbed their popcorn to watch the drama unfold. Missed it? Don’t worry, NASCAR Twitter has you covered with all the fan rants and memes.
Hill’s Public Apology: Or, Did He Shrug It Off?
Post-crash, Austin Hill did what most racers do after sparking chaos. He tried to own up to it. Sort of. Speaking to The CW Network, Hill admitted, “As soon as I saw that he was getting tight to the grass, I should have lifted. That one was definitely on me… Destroyed a lot of race cars, really unfortunate.”
Hill also noted that Michael McDowell had been “struggling a bit” earlier, and while he believed he could make a move, he quickly realized he’d made the wrong call. Of all the reasons to cause one of the biggest wrecks of the weekend, this is… not the most convincing.
NASCAR Fans and Drivers React to Austin Hill’s Style
To say Austin Hill’s driving style is divisive would be like saying Michael McDowell’s car just “tapped” the wall. Both are understatements. Some call him aggressive, while others say he’s reckless. After his latest antics, fans, analysts, and drivers weren’t exactly shy about calling him out. It’s not rare to hear Hill’s name echoed when discussing “most polarizing figures in racing.”
Fresh off a suspension for intentionally wrecking another driver at Indianapolis, Hill is quickly cementing his reputation as a driver with a flair for chaos. The worst part? That suspension stripped him of all his playoff points, leaving him to race without any chance to earn more points for the regular season. But seeing how this crash went down, will NASCAR deem another suspension necessary? Time will tell.
What’s Next for Austin Hill?
Here’s the real kicker about tonight’s crash at Watkins Glen in the Mission 200 at the Glen Xfinity Series Race. Hill technically didn’t break any fresh rules this time. Could his return from suspension skate by without repercussions? Or, worse for him, could another penalty loom over the horizon courtesy of NASCAR’s rulebook?
No matter what happens, there’s no denying one thing. Love him or hate him, Austin Hill keeps people talking. If fans are looking for the definition of “good TV,” he’s got it nailed down. Although it’s safe to assume that McDowell and half the field involved in Saturday’s wreck won’t be lining up to share the track with him anytime soon.
