Austin Hill hooked Aric Almirola in the right rear sending him nose first into the wall
On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series raced on the 2.5-mile of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It brought drama in the closing laps.
Watch the Austin Hill vs Aric Almirola video below.
With just 10 laps to go of the 100 lap race, heading into turn three, Aric Almirola was on the bumper of Austin Hill. Hill wiggled and chased it up the banking.
Heading into turn four, Hill was gathering his car. He appeared to have it collected.
They entered turn four side by side, Hill then turned hard left, hooking Almirola in the right rear.
Almirola went nose first into the turn four wall. It was a heavy impact but the driver climbed from the car.
“I think that will be looked at. I’d be a little frustrated if I was Aric,” Jamie McMurray stated via the CW.
NASCAR held Austin Hill on the pit lane for 5 laps. But, he wasn’t happy with the call.
Austin Hill Radio
“I couldn’t hang onto it. I was not trying to right rear him,” Austin Hill quickly stated over the team radio.
“He had me out of control and I like drove back to the left to keep it off the wall.”
Hill added, “I’m not sure what the hell he thought, just running me over in three though.”
When Austin Hill was notified that NASCAR will hold him for 5 laps:
Austin Hill jumped on the radio, “They can go fuck themselves. (expletive) NASCAR.”
“That is (expletive) (expletive). I’m sideways going to correct it back to the left. It gets locked back to the left and I run into the No. 19.”
Johnny Sauter crashes Austin Hill under caution at Iowa Speedway (Video)
Richard Childress comments
Richard Childress is the car owner for the No. 21 team. He wasn’t pleased with the 5 lap penalty.
Childress told Dustin Long, “I’ll be in bigger trouble than I already am with NASCAR. Period.”
The team owner was asked if Hill would be suspended.
“Hell, no. They didn’t do a damn thing to (Austin Cindric) when he wrecked Ty (Dillon) and admitted to it — drove him in the right rear and wrecked him at COTA. It’s who you are. We’re a blue-collar team they give us trouble all the time.”
Richard Childress said he would whoop Stenhouse Jr; Driver responds
Aric Almirola Team Radio
The No. 10 team was hot on the radio:
“100% a cheap shot. 100%.”
“That was a dirty move, clearly retaliation.”
Aric Almirola comments
Almirola was checked and released from the infield medical center. He then shared his thoughts on the incident.
“It was definitely intentional,” Aric Almirola told the CW.
“He blocked me three times. I finally got him loose in [turn] three. He had damage on the nose. So, he was really slow in the corners.
“It was time to go. I mean, we’re coming to 9 laps to go. The leaders are starting to put a gap on us.”
“I got him loose. He just turned left and hooked me in the right rear. Honestly, one of the biggest hits in my entire NASCAR career. Very reminiscent of the hit I took when I broke my back.”
“Glad, I’m okay. Disappointed, felt like we had a shot to win.”
“It’s just unfortunate that guys like that, especially that guy, he stood up in front of a meeting at Martinsville and said he was going to be a role model for all the young kids to look up to with racing etiquette.”
“I think that’s kinda laughable after that one.”
NASCAR Fight: Austin Hill vs Myatt Snider at Martinsville (Video)
Further penalties possible
NASCAR has rules against intentional crashing. Just because the 5 lap penalty was issued, does not mean that would be the only penalty.
If Austin Hill is suspended he would forfeit all playoff points. He would still make the playoffs but he would start the playoffs with just 2000 points.
Hill is currently 3rd in the playoff standings. With the wins and stage points, he’s accumulated a lot of playoff points.
Further penalties could be announced. NASCAR generally releases their weekly penalty report on Tuesday or Wednesday after the race weekend.
Indianapolis Race Results: July 26, 2025 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)
Austin Hill vs Aric Almirola
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Links
Austin Hill | Aric Almirola | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NASCAR
Related
NASCAR Fight: Austin Hill vs Myatt Snider at Martinsville (Video)
Justin Haley was penalized by NASCAR for aggressive driving after he cost Riley Herbst a chance at $100,000 (Video)
Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon penalized by NASCAR after Indianapolis (Video)
Austin Hill, Chandler Smith have heated exchange after Michigan (Video)