ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire at Rockingham Speedway on April 18, 2025 in Rockingham, North Carolina. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ROCKINGHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, drives during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire at Rockingham Speedway on April 18, 2025 in Rockingham, North Carolina. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Austin Hill granted playoff waiver

NASCAR officials have granted a waiver to Austin Hill, officials confirmed to NASCAR.com Tuesday night, allowing the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driver to remain eligible for the Xfinity Series Playoffs despite missing last weekend’s race at Iowa Speedway.

Hill, a three-time winner in 2025, was suspended from Saturday’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 at Iowa for his actions in the July 26 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where officials viewed Hill intentionally crashed Aric Almirola in the waning laps of the event. Hill was also issued a five-lap penalty for reckless driving immediately after the incident.

By receiving the playoff waiver, Hill remains eligible for the postseason despite missing one of the Xfinity Series’ 33 races this year. However, as the result of a rule change established ahead of the 2025 campaign, Hill will forfeit the 21 playoff points he had earned through the opening 21 races and will be ineligible to receive any additional playoff points through the Xfinity Series’ regular-season finale at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway on Sept. 6.

NASCAR.com