“Gotta get some race cars. We are in trouble. Period.” Richard Childress’ blunt words at Dover Motor Speedway summed up the state of RCR’s Cup Series program. But looks like things are way more grim than the team owner and Kyle Busch, who still remains winless and frustrated, had anticipated. So, as RCR scrambles to stay relevant in the playoff picture on the Cup Series side, their Xfinity Series driver, evidently showing great pace, just showed a worrying lack of discipline.

Chaos unfolded at Indy’s Pennzoil 250 per usual, and a caution flew when Aric Almirola and Austin Hill tangled while battling for fourth between turns 3 and 4. On lap 91, while running side-by-side, Almirola squeezed Hill up the track, which got the #21 loose. While Hill saved it, he also did something unthinkable, which not only ruined Almirola’s race but his own in the process.

The No. 21 RCR driver right rear hooked his opponent and sent him careening headfirst into the inside wall—the 6th caution of the evening. As expected, an irate Almirola keyed his radio moments after the wreck, fuming, “If NASCAR is setting a precedent, the 21 shouldn’t be racing next week!”

Meanwhile, Hill was quick to defend himself, admitting over the radio, “I couldn’t hang onto it. I was not trying to right rear him.” If that wasn’t enough, NASCAR announced they would hold Hill for 5 laps for his reckless driving. And Hill’s response? “They can go f— themselves.” The wreck derailed both drivers’ afternoons and reignited debate over aggressive racing at Indy, with Richard Childress’s driver caught squarely in the storm.

The penalty dropped him to a 34th-place finish, while Almirola finished 35th after slamming the wall. Hill was furious over team radio, unleashing a string of explicit words aimed at NASCAR and insisting he was “sideways” and accidentally hit the No. 19. But Almirola strongly disagreed, calling the crash “one of the biggest hits of my NASCAR career,” comparing it to the 2017 wreck that broke his back, and also said, “It was definitely intentional.”

Almirola didn’t stop there, as he proceeded to rip into Hill post-race, “It’s just unfortunate that guys like that, especially that guy [Austin Hill]; he stood up in front of a meeting at Martinsville and said he was going to be a role model for all he young kids to look up to in racing etiquette. I think that’s kind of laughable after that one.” 

Notably, at Martinsville, Sammy Smith had wrecked race leader Taylor Gray on the last lap, and chaos ensued as half the field started driving into each other and wrecking on the frontstretch, leaving Austin Hill to sneak through and win the race. However, the backlash was immense, and according to Almirola, Austin Hill took a stand against it. Well, it all seems pretty ironic at the moment.

NASCAR has confirmed it will review the incident further, mentioning that “other penalties will be considered if warranted”. Possible next steps could include fines, points deductions, or even a suspension, an outcome that would cost playoff bonus points and possibly sideline the RCR racer for future races. Richard Childress, though, has pushed back against the idea of a suspension, claiming NASCAR is inconsistent in its treatment of similar incidents.

Now, this proves to be a new headache for the team, and the NASCAR community isn’t holding back this time.

Fans push back on “dirty” Austin Hill

The aftermath of Austin Hills’ move sparked a tidal wave of outrage, with fans flooding social media to demand accountability. Many weren’t just frustrated; they were incensed. Comments flew; one viewer didn’t hold back in saying, “Austin Hill is one of the dirtiest drivers; he needs to be suspended!!” framing his actions as more than just a racing incident. What stood out wasn’t just the anger but the sheer disbelief that NASCAR would let something so blatant slide with only minimal consequence.

Some fans went further, directing their ire at Richard Childress himself, with one blatantly declaring, “That makes my day. Hope Richard fires him.” Others echoed that sentiment, calling for immediate and severe measures. “Park him and suspend him next week,” one fan demanded, while another didn’t mince words: “Tell him to get out of the car and he’s not welcome back until next year.” The calls for discipline painted a clear picture; many believed this wasn’t just one bad move, but a driver crossing a line that could tarnish his and his team’s image.

Adding fuel to the fire was the slow-motion replay of the incident, which became a social media smoking gun. Fans dissected every frame, pointing out the moment Hill’s hands appeared to twitch left. One fan raged on, “This race is an absolute f—— embarrassment to this great sport. YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE HIM MOVE HIS HANDS LEFT! THAT’S INTENTIONAL!” The capital letters were just for emphasis; they reflected the collective boiling point of a fanbase that felt cheated out of a fair race.

Even the penalty handed down wasn’t enough and was met with backlash, as one fan mentioned, “Five laps for reckless driving by Austin Hill isn’t enough. Clearly intentional.” For those watching it, it wasn’t merely a question of NASCAR discipline; it was about the integrity of the sport itself. And in their eyes, Austin Hill’s actions and the light slap on the wrist that followed left a stain that wouldn’t fade any time soon. Do you think the driver should be parked next week for his actions? Let us know in the comments!