JGR’s Aric Almirola Calls for Austin Hill NASCAR Suspension
JGR’s Aric Almirola is demanding serious consequences after a controversial late-race wreck during Saturday’s Xfinity Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing veteran collided with Richard Childress Racing‘s Austin Hill in a violent NASCAR crash that ignited fierce debate and expletive-laced tirades across pit road and social media.
With just ten laps to go, Hill was running fourth when he got loose but managed a dramatic save. However, in the chaos of regaining control, his No. 21 Chevrolet veered sharply left and hooked the right rear of Almirola’s No. 19 Toyota, slamming it into the outside wall with force. The hit was severe enough for Almirola to compare it to the 2017 Kansas crash that fractured his back.
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Hill Fires Back
Hill immediately told his team, “I couldn’t hang onto it; I was not trying to right-rear him.” But Almirola didn’t buy the explanation, calling on NASCAR to take swift action:
“If NASCAR is setting a precedent, the 21 shouldn’t be racing next week.”
While NASCAR parked Hill for five laps for reckless driving, Almirola and many fans felt the punishment didn’t go far enough. Speaking to The CW outside the Infield Care Center, Almirola vented:
“He just turned left and hooked me in the right rear. Honestly one of the biggest hits in my entire NASCAR career… Glad I’m OK, but that was intentional.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Hill went on an explicit radio tirade, lashing out at NASCAR and denying intent:
“They can go —- themselves. —- NASCAR.” He added, “I’m sideways. I go to correct it back to the left, it gets locked to the left, I get run into the 19.”
When asked if Hill should be suspended, RCR owner Richard Childress scoffed:
“Hell, no… They didn’t do a damn thing to Cindric when he wrecked Ty Dillon at COTA and admitted it.”
The incident raises stakes heading into the playoffs. A suspension could cost Hill all regular-season playoff points under new rules introduced this year.
For Almirola, who came into the race just looking to compete and contend, the crash was as painful as it was disappointing:
“It’s just unfortunate. He stood up at a meeting at Martinsville saying he’d be a role model for racing etiquette. That’s kind of laughable after that.”
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