Photo credit: www.motorsport.com

Austin Hill Claims Victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway

In an exhilarating race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Austin Hill, driving the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, overtook Cole Custer with just 12 laps remaining, securing his place in the Championship 4 for the first time. This win marks Hill’s fourth this season and the tenth of his career in the Xfinity Series.

Overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line, Hill expressed his gratitude and determination over the radio, stating, “I work so hard at this. A lot of people doubt me, but I wake up every day to prove everyone wrong. I deserve to be here and race for a championship. This No. 21 team deserves it just as much as I do.” He praised his team’s relentless efforts, underscoring the significance of the victory for himself and his family.

The Path to Victory

During the final stages of the race, A.J. Allmendinger was initially in control following the last round of green-flag pit stops, having secured his spot in the Championship 4 with a win in Las Vegas the previous week. Allmendinger took a strategic risk, opting to save his final set of tires in hopes of a late caution, alongside his Kaulig Racing teammate Shane van Gisbergen and JR Motorsports’ Brandon Jones.

However, after Allmendinger pitted from the lead with 20 laps left, Custer momentarily regained control before Hill quickly closed the gap and made a decisive move to the outside, taking the lead for good.

Ultimately, Custer finished three seconds behind Hill, with Aric Almirola, Jesse Love, and Sheldon Creed rounding out the top five. The remainder of the top ten included Riley Herbst, Ryan Sieg, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, and Allmendinger.

Interestingly, van Gisbergen chose not to use his final set of tires, attempting to stretch his fuel to the end in anticipation of a caution that never materialized, resulting in a 17th-place finish.

As the series prepares for the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville, several drivers are now below the cut line. Chandler Smith sits 28 points behind, followed by Jesse Love at 35 points down, Sam Mayer at 47 points back, and Sammy Smith trailing by 95 points. In contrast, Allgaier holds a comfortable 35-point cushion above the cut line, while Custer is 28 points safe after their performances at Homestead.

Source
www.motorsport.com