“That was violent, to be honest. That’s one of the hardest hits I’ve taken in my NASCAR career. The impact felt very similar to when I broke my back,” Aric Almirola said after getting caught up in a brutal wreck at Indianapolis, courtesy of Austin Hill. The incident, which happened just past the halfway point of Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, left Almirola shaken. Plus, it got fans buzzing about whether Hill had simply misjudged or gone too far.

NASCAR quickly penalized Hill with a five-lap deduction during the race itself. Later, they issued a one-race suspension, forcing Hill to miss the Iowa event. However, the drama involving the incident hasn’t ended with the suspension. Just days after the penalty, NASCAR dropped another major update.

Playoff path reopens for Austin Hill with a price

Austin Hill’s Xfinity Series Playoff hopes were hanging in the balance after a turbulent weekend at Indianapolis. But NASCAR has officially handed him a lifeline. On Tuesday, the sanctioning body confirmed that Hill has been granted a playoff waiver despite serving a one-race suspension for intentionally wrecking Aric Almirola at the Brickyard.

Hill had already received a five-lap penalty during the race. But the aftermath proved far more consequential, costing him a shot at Iowa and putting his postseason eligibility in doubt. NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer called Austin Hill’s race ban the right thing to do for the sport. Now, with the waiver in place, Hill can still qualify for the 2025 Xfinity Series Playoffs, provided he maintains a top position in the standings or secures additional wins. He’s already a three-time winner this year, currently sitting fifth in the points table.

However, the path forward is far from smooth. Due to a 2025 rule change, Hill will forfeit all 21 playoff points earned in the first 21 races. Moreover, he’s barred from earning any more before the regular-season finale at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on September 6. That’s a steep price to pay in a field where bonus points can heavily influence postseason progression.

The 31-year-old Georgia native will make his return this Saturday at Watkins Glen, a track where he’s yet to crack the top 10 in three previous starts. With just a few races left before the playoff grid locks in, every stage point and finish will matter more than ever.

Austin Hill returns at Watkins Glen this weekend

Austin Hill makes his much-anticipated return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Watkins Glen after serving a one-race suspension following the controversial Indianapolis incident. Piloting the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Hill faces a challenging road. With the championship stakes dramatically reset for him, every finish now matters more than ever. And it’s not for points, but for how he enters the postseason.

Hill’s record at Watkins Glen has had its share of difficulties and promise. In the 2024 Xfinity race at the Glen, he started tenth but finished 33rd. His day ended abruptly due to an accident that wiped out any shot at a strong points haul. The year before, Hill qualified eleventh but managed only a 14th-place finish. He demonstrated solid pace but never quite broke into contention for the win.

Looking further back, Hill’s first Xfinity outing at Watkins Glen in 2022 saw him start just outside the top ten but finish 30th. In each run, flashes of aggression and calculated risk have marked his approach, but consistency at The Glen has proven elusive. On a broader term, road courses have often tested his adaptability. While his superspeedway resume is stellar, the technical layout at The Glen remains an area for potential growth. Still, Hill has shown elsewhere in 2025 that he can rebound quickly from setbacks.

This return isn’t just about redemption; it’s about rewriting the narrative. Can Hill adapt to the unique challenges of Watkins Glen and mount a serious playoff charge with his back against the wall? As Hill straps in this weekend, all eyes are on whether the past will haunt him or if a new chapter begins. The NASCAR Xfinity race, Mission 200 at The Glen, begins on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.