Austin Hill earns Xfinity final berth with win at Homestead

Austin Hill consolidated his spot in the Xfinity championship final by winning the race held at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, 2024. The Richard Childress Racing driver took the victory in the Credit One NASCAR AMEX Credit Card 300, securing his place among the four finalists who will compete for the title on November 9.

Decisive last laps

Hill took control of the race in the final 11 laps, overtaking Cole Custer, who had led until that point. Hill eventually crossed the finish line with a lead of more than three seconds over Custer, the reigning series champion. This victory is Hill’s fourth of the season and the tenth of his career, but it holds special significance as it guarantees his first opportunity to compete for the championship after several standout seasons.

Driver’s remarks

The driver expressed his satisfaction after the victory: "I’ve worked hard to get here, and this is the reward. Many people doubt me, but I get up every day to prove them wrong. This team deserves it too." Hill highlighted the importance of his team and the effort they’ve put in to achieve this success.

Playoffs heat up

With Hill’s win and A.J. Allmendinger’s victory in the previous race at Las Vegas, only two spots remain available for the championship final. The next race at Martinsville will be decisive in determining the other two contenders.

Playoff standings and results

Besides Hill, other key drivers also stood out in the race. Cole Custer, who led 87 of the 200 laps, finished second, while Aric Almirola completed the podium. Jesse Love, Hill’s rookie teammate, finished fourth after a strong performance that keeps him mathematically in the running to advance, although he’ll need a win at Martinsville for a realistic chance.

On the other hand, Justin Allgaier, despite finishing eighth, managed to maintain his position in the standings and remains among the group of four drivers set to compete in the final. However, Chandler Smith, who started from pole, dropped to 13th and now faces the need to win at Martinsville to keep his hopes alive.

The next race will be at Martinsville Speedway, where the last two spots for the final will be determined.