NASCAR has faced fierce backlash for its “inexcusable” choice to give Austin Hill a waiver for the Xfinity Series playoffs, even though he served a one-race ban for deliberately wrecking Aric Almirola at Indianapolis, sacrificing the 21 playoff points he had accumulated, and giving up any extra playoff points for the remainder of the regular season.
The Richard Childress Racing driver then sat out last weekend’s Iowa race due to his suspension, and NASCAR regulations specify that any non-medical absence makes drivers ineligible for the Playoffs unless they receive a waiver. Hill, 31, who has claimed three victories this season, has now received a playoff waiver from NASCAR.
The controversial decision comes after RCR’s Cup Series drivers, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon, completely disagreed on the state of their cars, while legendary former driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has issued a stern warning to NASCAR’s most exciting young driver.
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“NASCAR officials have granted a waiver to Austin Hill, officials confirmed to NASCAR.com Tuesday night, allowing the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driver to remain eligible for the Xfinity Series Playoffs despite missing last weekend’s race at Iowa Speedway,” NASCAR announced.
“By receiving the playoff waiver, Hill remains eligible for the postseason despite missing one of the Xfinity Series’ 33 races this year,” they continued.
“However, as the result of a rule change established ahead of the 2025 campaign, Hill will forfeit the 21 playoff points he had earned through the opening 21 races and will be ineligible to receive any additional playoff points through the Xfinity Series’ regular-season finale at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Sept. 6.”
Fans were quick to respond slamming the decision. One fan vented: “Inexcusable, dereliction of duty by NASCAR. What’s even the point”. Another chimedin: “Then what’s the point of the rule if you’re just going to waive it every time?”.
“NASCAR shouldn’t give waivers for these kinds of things. It’s okay for illness or the birth of your child, but intentionally causing someone to crash and then not being able to race for a week doesn’t require a waiver,” a third added.
“Honestly, why even suspend him. If NASCAR wants to prove a point. You suspend all drivers from playoff contention if they are found wrecking other drivers on purpose. Team violations and such don’t deserve that, but @NASCAR do better,” a fourth demanded.
The decision also follows Almirola describing the crash as one of the most brutal impacts he has experienced in his racing career, labeling it as “violent” in the aftermath.
“That was violent,” Almirola said of the crash. “To be totally honest, that was one of the hardest hits I’ve taken in my NASCAR career. The impact felt very similar to when I broke my back (in 2017 at Kansas Speedway). I’d be very interested to see the black box data from (Saturday’s) crash, but it was vicious and that’s just uncalled for.
“I got him a little bit loose to get under him because it was time to go. I would have never done that five laps into the race, but when you’re coming down to the end of the race at Indianapolis and he’s already blocked me three times, I certainly got him loose.
“I didn’t feel what he did was necessary. I felt like he could have easily fell back in line. He was damaged anyway. We were losing time to the leaders. It wasn’t like we were on pace with them. He was holding me up clearly.
“It’s just unfortunate. He obviously lost his mind right there. That was really bad judgment in my opinion.”