NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans React To Austin Hill Outdueling Cole Custer During Playoff Race At Homestead-Miami Speedway

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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Sports Editor

Published26 Oct 2024

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xfinity homestead miami genric playoff shoyt (1)

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 … 

Before the second of three Round of 8 races, the machines stood ready … 

Xfinity engines ignited at the 1.5-mile oval … 

Saturday’s second green flag appeared, fueling the start of the second NASCAR National Series event … 

During Saturday’s opener, Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger claimed his second consecutive playoff race … 

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 … 

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 … 

Hill, who emerged as the leader on Lap 43, maintained the lead for the first stage’s final three rotations … 

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 … 

Hill, who executed an impressive pass of Aric Almirola on Lap 101, cruised to a Stage 2 win, earning the stage sweep … 

Almirola (20), Hill (21) and Custer (00) go three-wide and battle for the lead midway through the second stage … 

Hill took a slide and Custer went for the lead position … 

Showing his fight, Custer made a move from P3 to the lead … 

Hill wrestled the lead back from Custer … 

At the finish, Custer ended up being pinned. Was he still distracted from Friday night’s NXT showcase? … 

An emotional Hill secured a trip to an identity-identifying final four … 

The emotional victor celebrated. He does belong … 

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Author photo
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.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
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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