Austin Hill claims another trophy on superspeedway: In a race that started in chaos and ended in bedlam on the last lap, Austin Hill won his third NASCAR Xfinity Series race of the season, beating Daniel Hemric to the checkered flag in Saturday’s RAPTOR King of the Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.(Read more)(3-18-2023)
For the third time in the first five weeks of the Xfinity Series season, #21-Austin Hill found Victory Lane. #21-Hill led 103 of 163 laps en route to the win — his second at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Four of his five career victories have come on superspeedways.
#11-Daniel Hemric finished second, after tagging #48-Parker Kligerman coming out of Turn 4 on the final lap to start a big wreck. #19-Ryan Truex placed third, with #48-Kligerman taking the checkered flag sliding backwards in fourth. #98-Riley Herbst, also involved in the wreck, rounded out the top five.
#25-Brett Moffitt earned his best finish of the season in sixth. #8-Josh Berry, #20-John Hunter Nemechek, #1-Sam Mayer and #10-Justin Haley completed the top 10.
#21-Hill won the opening stage, while #48-Kligerman earned his first — and Big Machine Racing’s first — stage win.
There were 13 lead changes among eight drivers and 12 cautions for 68 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was 91.382 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Atlanta:
Austin Hill won the RAPTOR King of Tough 250, his fifth victory in 53 Xfinity Series races.
This is his third victory and fifth top-10 finish in 2023.
This is his second victory and third top-10 finish in three races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Daniel Hemric (second) posted his fifth top-10 finish in eight races at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It is his third top-10 finish in 2023.
Ryan Truex (third) posted his third top-10 finish in four races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Sammy Smith (17th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Austin Hill leads the point standings by 46 points over John Hunter Nemechek.
Xfinity Series Playoff Standings after Atlanta (Race 5 of 33):
1)#21-Austin Hill (3 wins, regular season championship leader, 248 points)
2)#20-John Hunter Nemechek (1 win) 202, -46
3)#18-Sammy Smith (1 win) 148, -100
4)#98-Riley Herbst 202, -46
5)#16-Chandler Smith 171, -77
6)#7-Justin Allgaier 164, -84
7)#1-Sam Mayer 156, -92
8)#8-Josh Berry 148, -100
9)#00-Cole Custer 147, -101
10#11-Daniel Hemric 145, -103
11)#48-Parker Kligerman 142, -106
12)#2-Sheldon Creed 137, -111
See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings.
Cars to the rear: #28-Kyle Sieg, #38-Joe Graf Jr. (unapproved adjustments).
Pit Stall Selections
Qualifying for Saturday’s Raptor King of Tough 250 Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway was cancelled. The lineup will be set per the rulebook.
It’s an all Joe Gibbs Racing front row, with #18-Sammy Smith starting from the pole. #20-John Hunter Nemechek will start alongside, with #21-Austin Hill, #19-Ryan Truex and #98-Riley Herbst make up the top five.
#16-Chandler Smith, #2-Sheldon Creed, #00-Cole Custer, #8-Josh Berry and #1-Sam Mayer round out the top 10.
Did Not Qualify: #74-Dawson Cram
See the complete Atlanta Starting Lineup.
Qualifying Order
There is no practice for the Raptor King of Tough 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
There are 39 cars on the entry list for the Raptor King of Tough 250 Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. One car will go home.
Notables: #02-Kyle Weatherman, #10-Justin Haley, #19-Ryan Truex, #24-Connor Mosack, #35-Joey Gase, #38-Joe Graf Jr., #45-Sage Karam, #53-Patrick Emerling, #66-Timmy Hill, #91-Chad Chastain.
See the full entry list on the Atlanta Entry List.
TandemDraft Stats – Atlanta
Atlanta At-Track Schedule
