Reckless aggression has long been a talking point in NASCAR. And the Watkins Glen saw one of the most chaotic afternoons of the season, with multiple wrecks scattering debris and ending several contenders’ days early. Carson Hocevar, known for sparking controversy at tracks like Nashville Superspeedway, where he made contact under caution and triggered a multi-car pileup. Yet in sharp contrast, Austin Hill, fresh off a one-race suspension, following his high-profile clash with Aric Almirola at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, returned to the track and doubled down, repeating the same aggressive tactics that landed him in trouble in the first place, triggering fan hatred that has a solution, according to Dale Jr.

Hill’s comeback race at Watkins Glen International quickly reignited debate when contact with Michael McDowell while battling for position triggered a 16-car pileup and brought out the red flag. Dale Jr weighed in afterward, offering pointed advice on how Hill could handle the growing backlash.

Embracing the ‘villain’ persona will fetch some respect as per Dale Jr

Speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. addressed Austin Hill’s aggressive return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series after a one-week suspension, framing it as a defining moment in Hill’s career. “Austin Hill is not going to give an inch. And even after a one-week suspension, he come back to let everybody know this is how you’re going to get it….you better give me my car lengths, you better give me my space, or hell there’s going to be hell to pay. I’m here for it,” Earnhardt Jr. said. The comments come on the heels of Hill’s July 26, 2025 clash with Aric Almirola. The key consequence is the forfeiture of all 21 playoff points he had earned during the season. This means Hill will start the Xfinity Series playoffs with zero playoff points, making his path to the championship much more difficult.

Earnhardt Jr. didn’t just analyze the incident he offered Hill a path forward, amidst the growing social media hate against Hill.“If you don’t embrace it, then you don’t eventually get respected. People just think, man, you’re just a s— individual. But if you’re like, oh, you want me to be the villain? Fine. I’m f—-g the villain. And then… you can at least go, man, I don’t love what he does, but I got to respect the owning it and wearing the hat.” The idea, as Earnhardt Jr. explained, is that leaning into the perception can allow a driver to control their narrative instead of being defined by criticism, especially in a sport where aggressive driving is both condemned and celebrated, depending on results.

To illustrate his point, Earnhardt Jr. pointed to Denny Hamlin’s famous moment at the 2023 Bristol Night Race. After clinching the victory, Hamlin stepped out of his car, faced a chorus of boos, and declared: “I beat your favorite driver — all of ’em.” As Earnhardt Jr. put it, “One of the greatest lines anyone has ever said immediately post-race… That made me even, you know, that made me really appreciate Denny more than I ever probably have.” Hamlin’s victory that night came after an intense battle with Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, cementing not just his win but his willingness to provoke and perform for the crowd.

For Earnhardt Jr., Hamlin’s approach was proof that embracing the villain role can transform fan hostility into a defining part of a driver’s brand, provided they balance personality with performance.

Playoff waiver keeps Austin Hill’s title hopes alive

On August 5, 2025, NASCAR granted Austin Hill a playoff waiver, allowing the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing driver to remain eligible for the Xfinity Series playoffs, even though he missed a race due to suspension. This waiver ensures Hill’s championship chance stays intact, provided he meets the remaining playoff criteria. However, under a new offseason rule instituted for 2025, Hill will forfeit all 21 playoff points he accumulated through his three wins and multiple stage victories earlier in the season, and he won’t be able to earn any additional playoff points until the regular season concludes on September 6 at Gateway.

This reprieve comes in the midst of one of Hill’s strongest seasons to date. He has already dominated with Stage wins at Daytona, led a race-high number of laps at Atlanta, and secured his 100th career Xfinity Series win for Richard Childress Racing at Martinsville. These performances, coupled with his upcoming five-race Cup Series stint in the No. 33 United Rentals Chevrolet, underscore RCR’s commitment to his upward trajectory. With momentum on his side and the waiver extending his championship hopes, Hill’s path forward could define the next phase of his NASCAR career.

With Dale Jr.’s advice echoing in the background, a playoff waiver keeping his title hopes alive, and a fan base sharply divided, Hill now faces a defining stretch where how he responds on and off the track could shape his reputation for years to come.