NASCAR imposed a one-race suspension on Austin Hill after he intentionally right-rear hooked Aric Almirola during the recent Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While many agreed with NASCAR’s decision, veteran Cup Series driver Denny Hamlin voiced a different perspective, suggesting Hill’s actions might have resulted from an attempt to save control of his vehicle rather than from malicious intent. Hamlin’s theory sparked debate but did not sway NASCAR’s ruling.
Hamlin Explains His Interpretation of the On-Track Incident
On his podcast, Hamlin discussed the incident and acknowledged the severity of the contact. However, he proposed that Hill’s actions could be explained by a loss of steering control rather than a deliberate maneuver to spin Almirola. He said,
“I mean, it didn’t look good,”
but added,
“The only thing I can think of — I’m looking at it, and I try to give the benefit of the doubt. I think Austin Hill, because the fans generally don’t like him, is not going to get the benefit of the doubt. You know, I’ve seen some Martinsville races where it’s like, I ain’t giving that guy the benefit of the doubt either. Just, you know, bowling is way through. But I’m thinking about being in his position and he gets turned sideways and you’re trying to hold on to it.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin further elaborated on the difficulties of controlling a car when it begins to spin and how drivers often have to manage the steering wheel differently in such situations. He explained,
“I’ll say this, sometimes, and actually most times, when I’m correcting that big of a motion, I’m usually letting the wheel slide in my hands. It’s hard to full go this way — you can’t do it quick enough. It’s best to just let the thing — let it go on one side, catch it with the other, and that’s how you correct. Or that’s how I’ve done it a few times. The only thing I can think of that made his car go sharp left into the No. 19 is that the wheel was not done spinning in his hands, or when he grabbed it, when he’s turning it, correcting it, he lets go, he catches it, it gets correct, but then he holds the wheel, and now the wheel’s not, he’s not holding the wheel in his normal 10-and-2.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
He added,
“If the car was going straight, he’s now actually holding it in a different position. I know his hand’s right here, but he’s — you gotta understand what I’m saying is that the wheel has clocked, because he let it spin on his hands. So, this is not straight up anymore. This could be — the front wheels are turned that way. I’m just coming up with a theory. That’s all. It looked like he right-rear hooked the No. 19. I’m just saying, there’s no way you can be that dumb.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Hamlin also noted,
“… It feels like, if there’s anyone that would kind of fly off the rails because someone ran into him, it’s probably him. But I just feel like there’s an opportunity that he let the wheel spin in his hands to try to correct quickly, which he did an amazing job of. Then, when he grabbed onto the wheel, the wheel was no longer straight up. It was turned to the left. That’s my theory.”
—Denny Hamlin, NASCAR Driver
Austin Hill’s Suspension and Its Repercussions on Playoff Standing
As a result of his suspension, Austin Hill will miss one race and will not be able to accumulate playoff points during that event. Hill is set to return for the Hy-Vee Perks 250 Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway this coming Saturday. According to NASCAR’s recent adjustments to playoff waivers, missing a race eliminates all playoff bonus points, which is a significant setback considering Hill held 21 playoff points before the suspension, ranking third among all drivers. This penalty places Hill and his team at a disadvantage moving forward in the series.
Contextualizing the Incident within Hill’s Racing History
Denny Hamlin’s defense of Hill comes despite the latter’s controversial reputation with fans and on-track rivals. Hamlin admitted that the general fanbase is unlikely to extend Hill much goodwill, given his past conduct during races. While Hamlin sought to provide a more understanding viewpoint, the fact remains that Hill’s team will need to overcome the consequences of this incident in upcoming events. The suspension and loss of playoff points add pressure on Hill to perform effectively upon his return to the car at Iowa Speedway.
Looking Ahead to Hill’s Comeback and NASCAR’s Stance
The upcoming race at Iowa Speedway will be a critical test for Austin Hill and his team as they attempt to recover from the suspension setback. NASCAR’s firm stance on penalizing Hill illustrates the organization’s commitment to maintaining strict disciplinary standards in the Xfinity Series. Hill’s ability to rebound from this punishment could influence his playoff trajectory, while also impacting his reputation among competitors and fans alike. The incident shines a light on the challenges drivers face in managing split-second decisions on high-speed tracks and the strict consequences that follow misjudgments.
