Austin Hill just keeps finding ways to win on NASCAR’s biggest and boldest stages. On Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, the Richard Childress Racing driver once again proved why he’s the man to beat when the draft comes into play.
In a tense overtime finish that went down to the wire, Hill kept his cool through the chaos, fending off a hungry field to capture the United Rentals 250, another statement win in a season defined by dominance on high-speed tracks.
Hill’s No. 21 RCR Chevrolet led a race-best 48 of 100 laps to secure a season sweep at NASCAR’s biggest oval, the 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway. The 31-year-old Georgia native also claimed both stage wins and edged out JR Motorsports playoff driver Carson Kvapil by just 0.105 seconds at the line.
According to NASCAR.com’s Holly Cain, “the win gives Hill 10 career victories on drafting-style tracks, eclipsing the previous record held by NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart, who each had eight”.
Austin Hill’s Mastery on Superspeedways
Saturday’s result only solidified Hill’s reputation as NASCAR’s premier superspeedway racer, a driver who knows how to balance patience and aggression when it matters most.
“If you have any questions and it’s green-white-checkered, you probably just go to the bottom [of the track] because of how crazy the second and third lane was there at the end,” Hill said after climbing out of his Chevy to the roar of the Talladega crowd. “Being able to race for Richard Childress is always special, and to be able to deliver wins like this.”
Hill’s control of the draft, his timing in restarts, and his ability to anticipate chaos have made him one of the most feared competitors on the circuit’s high-speed ovals. His Talladega sweep this season only adds to that reputation.
Refocused and Relentless: Hill Eyes Owner’s Championship
Though Hill was eliminated from the driver’s championship earlier in the playoffs, he’s found new motivation in chasing the owner’s championship for RCR, a goal that still fuels his competitive fire.
“As the playoff started and us getting knocked out the way we did, it stung a lot,” Hill admitted. “But once we knew we were still in it for the owner’s championship, I decided I’d do it just like I would going for a driver’s championship. To be able to lock ourselves in and go to Phoenix knowing we’re going for an owner’s championship means the world to me.”
Hill’s win now guarantees RCR’s No. 21 team a spot in the owner’s championship finale at Phoenix, a major boost for an organization that’s steadily clawed back toward dominance in the Xfinity Series.
Jesse Love Plays It Safe, Keeps RCR in the Fight
Meanwhile, Hill’s teammate Jesse Love had a steady afternoon, even if it didn’t come with fireworks. The rookie battled a tricky fuel strategy call in the closing laps that ultimately shaped his race outcome.
“Just a bit mundane,” Love said of his race. “Nothing crazy good or bad, but obviously, we’ll never know if that was the right call to come down and take fuel, but I had to trust my gut, and I didn’t know if I was going to make it or not. It was honestly kind of close.”
Love admitted Hill’s aggressive approach gave him an edge.
“I think he was a little bit more aggressive than I was, but we did what we needed to do and didn’t beat ourselves today,” he added.
Both RCR drivers left Talladega with what they needed: Hill with a win that cements his drafting legacy, and Love with a clean finish that preserves the team’s championship position heading into Phoenix.
For Hill, the victory was more than just another trophy. It was a redemption story after an early playoff heartbreak, a display of precision and resilience that reminded everyone why he’s among NASCAR’s best on the big tracks.
And as the Xfinity Series heads to Phoenix, Hill’s mission is clear: bring home a championship for Richard Childress Racing and close the 2025 season on top.
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