NASCAR Suspends Austin Hill One Race After Indianapolis Crash

NASCAR has suspended Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill for one race following his intentional wreck of Aric Almirola during the July 26 Pennzoil 250 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Hill, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing (RCR), bumped Almirola's right rear, sending him into the wall and ending Almirola's race. Hill was held on pit road for five laps for rough driving but managed to finish 34th, one position ahead of Almirola. As a result of the suspension, Hill will miss the upcoming race at Iowa Speedway, where fellow RCR driver Austin Dillon will substitute. Hill will need a waiver to remain playoff eligible in the Xfinity Series, which involves forfeiting his accrued playoff points and becoming ineligible to earn more during the regular season. RCR stated it would not appeal the penalty and emphasized their focus on winning the 2025 championship with Hill, while the decision has been widely supported by fans and observers as justified given the severity and apparent intent of the crash.