NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond To Austin Hill Dominating Bennett Transportation And Logistics 250

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By
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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Published23 Feb 2025

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xfinity atlanta austin hill win (1)

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill owns Atlanta Motor Speedway. 

During Sunday’s Bennett Transportation and Logistics 250, Hill dominated the field to earn his third consecutive trip to Victory Lane at the 154-mile quad-oval track. Driving a Bennett-sponsored machine, Hill showed off in front his sponsors, leading 146 laps, claiming both stage wins and outdueling Justin Allgaier at the end. 

By the 31st lap Saturday, Hill paced the field for more laps than he did in his previous two wins at Atlanta. He was one of only five pilots to lead. Pole-sitter Jesse Love led for 13 rotations and Aric Almirola, Leland Honeyman and Nick Sanchez each fronted one lap.  

Hill charged back into the lead on Lap 161 after Allgaier challenged him on the inside, but received a push from Sammy Smith. Hill nearly got loose after being pushed by Almirola on the next lap. 

As Hill cleared Almirola and cruised to the checkered flag, a multi-car accident unfolded along the backstretch. 

X (Twitter) users responded to Hill owning Atlanta … 

Receiving a push from Josh Williams, Love opened strong, clearing Hill on the outside after the green flag … 

 Six laps into the event, Dean Thompson’s machine stopped along Turn 2 as Ryan Sieg lost control and did a half spin, but missed connecting with the wall … 

 Cool move. Hill reclaimed the lead on Lap 54, pulling down in front of Sam Mayer … 

 CJ McLaughlin experienced a tire explosion along Turn 1 on Lap 108. Despite the incident, McLaughlin managed to return to pit road for old-school mechanical procedures … 

 More trouble occurred on Lap 120 after Jeremy Clements lost control along Turn 2 and spun out from P15. During the incident, Taylor Gray, Blaine Perkins and Connor Zilisch were involved. Twenty-three laps later, Zilisch executed another accident. Mayer struck Zilisch’s door before hitting the wall with Anthony Alfredo. Zilisch’s machine made for a good souvenir … 

The final lap … 

The celebration …

Hill’s making history … 

 Richard Childress Racing opened the season with two wins, Hill at Atlanta and Love at Daytona …