NASCAR
NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans React To Austin Hill Outdueling Cole Custer During Playoff Race At Homestead-Miami Speedway
Austin Hill is proving something to himself – and his NASCAR Xfinity Series peers.
The 30-year-old driver of the No. 21 Chevrolet, Hill passed Cole Custer with 12 laps remaining, capturing Saturday’s Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
wake up every day to prove them wrong,” Hill said, as reported by NASCAR.com. “This 21 team deserves it just as much as I do. They work their (butts) off each and every day just like I do.”
“I’ve got to give it up to those guys. They gave me a hell of a car.”
Hill and Custer provided the event with a hell of a show, battling each other throughout the second of three Round of 8 events. Hill earned his fourth win of the season, 10th of his career, but, more importantly, his first trip to next month’s Championship 4 race at Phoenix Raceway.
Saturday’s effort helped Hill prove something to himself.
He belongs.
“I deserve to be here,” he said. “And I deserve to race for a championship.”
X (Twitter) users responded to the circuit’s postseason fire …
There's always some heat left over when someone cooks. 🔥@_AustinHill | @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/8ClVh3MsZy
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Before the second of three Round of 8 races, the machines stood ready …
Almost ready for race No. ✌🏼 of the day.@NASCAR_Xfinity cars gridded and ready to go at @HomesteadMiami 🌴 pic.twitter.com/vhcvNfvz7t
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 26, 2024
Xfinity engines ignited at the 1.5-mile oval …
38 engines roar to life!
Only one will take its driver to Victory Lane. 👀 pic.twitter.com/BQF2wsMuu7
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Saturday’s second green flag appeared, fueling the start of the second NASCAR National Series event …
Dancing with the wall could earn you a date in the #Championship4.
The #CONACC300 is green! pic.twitter.com/jxw6n3zlha
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
During Saturday’s opener, Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger claimed his second consecutive playoff race …
Feels like we just saw this not too long ago, Grant! 😏🏁👏 pic.twitter.com/tbyIK2W8S3
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 26, 2024
Entering Saturday’s nightcap, Xfinity Series pilots understood they had to handle the track’s “lip” service to earn a shot at next month’s Championship 4 race …
It's all about rippin' the lip at @HomesteadMiami. pic.twitter.com/K0iIZdaDDt
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
With NXT on The CW as his primary sponsor and participating in a WWE-affiliated match Friday night, Custer grappled his way to an early advantage …
He's trying to make more Homestead magic.@ColeCuster wrestles the lead away from the No. 81. pic.twitter.com/UAe0gXtity
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Hill, who emerged as the leader on Lap 43, maintained the lead for the first stage’s final three rotations …
Homestead is so fun.
After a three-wide battle, @_AustinHill wins #XfinitySeries stage one, it's his first stage win on a non-drafting 1.5 mile track since the 2023 Las Vegas spring race. pic.twitter.com/HcRoOWeZmY
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) October 26, 2024
Justin Allgaier touched the wall on Lap 70, but managed to continue. The driver of the No. 7 Chevrolet recovered enough to earn a P7 …
Sometimes the wall fights back. 🫣@J_Allgaier | @HomesteadMiami pic.twitter.com/Vdw2NcfaL1
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Hill, who executed an impressive pass of Aric Almirola on Lap 101, cruised to a Stage 2 win, earning the stage sweep …
No challengers arise in Stage 2. @_AustinHill sweeps 'em at @HomesteadMiami. @TheCW | #CONACC300 pic.twitter.com/LF7zjwqeIJ
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Almirola (20), Hill (21) and Custer (00) go three-wide and battle for the lead midway through the second stage …
Three-wide moves for the lead. 🤤 pic.twitter.com/ONgG19BinX
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Hill took a slide and Custer went for the lead position …
Hill throws a slider.
Custer crosses him over.
This is elite. pic.twitter.com/k7WiyLvuR6
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Showing his fight, Custer made a move from P3 to the lead …
It's full-send territory.@ColeCuster goes third to first in one corner! pic.twitter.com/Dl7F4Wmut8
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
Hill wrestled the lead back from Custer …
Back to the point. @_AustinHill leads at @HomesteadMiami!@TheCW | #CONACC300 pic.twitter.com/cMSHAcznvj
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
At the finish, Custer ended up being pinned. Was he still distracted from Friday night’s NXT showcase? …
Cole Custer everyone!!!
pic.twitter.com/0QUg3gYAhD— Pimp Kyle Busch ✨ (@kfb8182313000) October 23, 2024
An emotional Hill secured a trip to an identity-identifying final four …
You can hear the emotion in his voice.
Austin Hill is headed to the #Championship4! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/sVgYNV7CRI
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024
The emotional victor celebrated. He does belong …
Next stop: Phoenix. #Championship4 pic.twitter.com/AuJ5gxdNMg
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) October 26, 2024