NASCAR makes major Austin Hill decision after controversial Indianapolis crash

Hill will miss the Aug. 2 race at Iowa Speedway. Richard Childress Racing announced that Austin Dillon will drive the No. 21 Chevrolet. 

NASCAR has cracked down on drivers for right-rear hooks in recent years, including suspending Bubba Wallace in 2022 and Chase Elliott in 2023 after they right-hooked competitors during Cup Series events. 

Hill was given a five-lap penalty for reckless driving during the race on Saturday. 

Perhaps the most important aspect of the penalty is that Hill will lose all the playoff points he has accrued so far — as well as any he might earn over his final four starts of the regular season — due to missing a race for a non-medical reason. The suspension essentially ends Hill's regular season, and he will begin the Xfinity Series playoffs with 2,000 points. Hill had earned 21 playoff points prior to the suspension. 

Hill has won three races so far in the 2025 season and is fifth in the Xfinity Series standings through 21 races.