Austin Hill Granted Playoff Waiver Following Suspension

What’s Happening?

Following his one-race suspension for wrecking Aric Almirola at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR has granted Austin Hill a Playoff waiver. Hill qualified for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs in February, winning the second race of the season at EchoPark Speedway.

• NASCAR announced the decision late Tuesday night. This ruling will allow Hill to still compete for the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, though he will forego all 21 playoff points earned from the start of the season, and any he could earn prior to the start of the playoffs.
• Drivers who do not enter all 26 regular-season races must request a waiver to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs. While some fans may oppose Hill’s eligibility, the forfeiture of playoff points is a new rule meant to penalize drivers who may be playoff eligible but miss a race for a non-medical or family matter.
• NASCAR suspended Hill on Jul. 29 after a controversial run-in with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Aric Almirola at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With ten to go, the two drivers were racing for position. Almirola got Hill loose on the exit of turn three, with Hill saving the car and hooking the right rear of the No. 19.
• Following the wreck, NASCAR parked the No. 21 for five laps, with Hill bringing his Richard Childress Chevrolet home 34th. Though Childress suggested that he opposed a suspension following the race, the team did not appeal the suspension, with Austin Dillon piloting the No. 21 at Iowa Speedway.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.