During last weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Austin Hill, the series points leader, found himself in hot water. NASCAR officials penalized Hill for his actions while racing fellow driver Cole Custer, resulting in a $25,000 fine and a loss of 25 driver points.
NEWS: Austin Hill has been fined $25,000 and assessed with the loss of 25 driver points for violating the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct at Charlotte Motor Speedway. pic.twitter.com/K6lVsKvmzk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) May 29, 2024
NASCAR invoked Section 4.4B of its Member Code of Conduct to penalize Hill. This section deals with actions that compromise safety during an event or pose a dangerous risk to competitors, officials, spectators, or others. The penalty guidelines include wrecking or spinning another vehicle, regardless of whether that vehicle is removed from competition as a result.
As a result of the penalty, Hill dropped from the series lead to third place in the Xfinity Series standings. Chandler Smith now leads the championship, with Custer in second place.
Why did Austin Hill get the huge penalty?
With just 17 laps remaining in the BetMGM 300, Hill and Custer were locked in a fierce battle in the top five. The two drivers traded paint on the front, and contact blew a right front tire on Hill’s No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.
Unfortunately, Austin Hill lost control through Turns 1 and 2, collecting Custer in the process. Undeterred, Hill continued to initiate contact as the two cars reached the backstretch. The repeated collisions eventually forced Custer’s car into the inside retaining wall, sidelining him from the race.
The incident has sparked discussions among fans, with some claiming bias towards Hill and Richard Childress Racing (RCR). NASCAR faces scrutiny over consistent rule enforcement, and this incident has added fuel to the fire. As the season progresses, team dynamics and rivalries will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the championship standings.
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