Austin Hill penalized, tells NASCAR to ‘go f**k themselves’ at Indianapolis

For his actions on the track, Austin Hill has been held for five laps late in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis. Hill appeared to right rear hook Aric Almirola in retaliation for some rubbing and racing. There will likely be a further penalty after today.

Austin Hill followed up his five-lap penalty with a few expletives on the radio. Probably not going to help him when NASCAR decides what fine and points penalties to hand out later next week.

“Oh they can go f**k themselves. F**k NASCAR,” Hill said on his radio after being penalized. “That is f***ing bulls**t. I’m f***ing sideways, I go to correct it back to the left, it gets locked to the left, I f***ing run into the 19 [Almirola].”

Hill is the first driver to be held for five laps since 2021. A big penalty for the RCR driver.

If Austin Hill faces further punishment, it could mean a suspension. Missing a race for a suspension would mean Hill and the 21 team vacate all of their playoff points for the season. As in, he gives up what he’s earned, 21 points, and cannot accumulate or earn more for the rest of 2025.

During the season, Austin Hill has spoken up about wanting to be a leader. However, his actions today contradict those previous statements.

Richard Childress defends Austin Hill

What isn’t going to help Austin Hill is how he reacted on his radio after being held for five laps by NASCAR. Hill went on to finish P34 by the time the race finished, one spot above Almirola.

Richard Childress was asked about the situation. He came off as defensive and stood up for his driver.

“I’ll be in bigger trouble than I already am with NASCAR, period,” Richard Childress said when initially asked about the incident. He then weighed in after being asked if Austin Hill should be suspended.

“Hell no. They didn’t do a damn thing to the 2 car [of Austin Cindric] when they, he wrecked Ty [Dillon] and admitted to it,” Childress said, via Dustin Long of NBC Sports. “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 is always going to stand up for his drivers. That’s just how it is. But Austin Cindric was penalized for his right rear hook on Ty Dillon at COTA. Some felt it wasn’t enough, but he was penalized 50 points and received a fine.