NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series’ US Marine Corps 250: Fans Respond To Austin Hill Marching To Milestone Win At Martinsville

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Published29 Mar 2025

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xfinity Austin Hill celebrates win at Martinsville spring (1)

(NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill couldn’t believe where he ended up Saturday. 

“I’m in disbelief I’m in Victory Lane right now,” Hill told CW after leading only one lap – the final one in overtime – to capture the US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway. “That restart just got wild. “I had to do what I had to do to the last lap.” 

Initially dominated by pole-sitter rookie Connor Zilisch, who captured both stages, Taylor Gray took over during the final stage, but was taken out while leading by Sammy Smith in OT. 

Gray, who led during the final lap, ended up finishing P29.  

“It sucks,” he said. “Felt like we had the best car all day.” 

Saturday’s event featured a track record of 10 lap leaders. 

Recording his second win of the season, Hill rallied from beginning P7 on the OT restart. Along the way, though, he apologized for playing a role in Jesse Love finishing P37. 

“I’m extremely sorry to our teammate for getting in that wreck down in (Turn) 1,” Hill said. “I started wheel-hoppin’ a little bit (and) hit the 16 (Christian Eckes) and took out the 2 (Love).  

“I feel really, really bad for wrecking a teammate like that. I’ll have to give him a call after the race.” 

X (Twitter) users responded to Hill rewarding Richard Childress Racing with its milestone 100th circuit win and cashing in on his first career Dash 4 Cash win … 

Going green at Martinsville Saturday … 

With Saturday’s short-track race initially going 54 laps without incident, Zilisch led the opening 46 rotations, the most he’s fronted the pack in any single event. By Lap 22, the first-year pilot extended his lead to 21.1 seconds … 

Hendrick Motorsports rookie Corey Day suffers early growing pains … 

Gray takes the lead. He would go on to pace the field for 87 laps … 

Well, that’s a new look for Harrison Burton’s No. 25 Ford … 

Enduring a rough Stage 3, Zilisch spun out of contention … 

With on-track tempers flaring, rookie Carson Kvapil and Jesse Love, who is slated to make his Cup Series debut at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12, exchanged heated words after Love forced Kvapil into a spin on Lap 217. Both were able to drive on. Love explained his actions … 

Forcing the race’s 12th caution period, three of the series’ top rookies, Daniel Dye, Nick Sanchez and Eckes, were involved …  

The OT finish … 

Milestone series win for RCR …