Hill benched for one Xfinity Series race following IMS incident

Austin Hill has been suspended for one NASCAR Xfinity Series race after hooking Aric Almirola in Saturday’s event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

Hill will miss the race at Iowa Speedway (Aug. 2). Austin Dillon will drive the No. 21 Chevrolet in his place.

Richard Childress Racing will not appeal the penalty.

The penalty stems from Hill hooking Almirola in the right rear in Turn 4. Hill reacted on lap 91 after Almirola made contact with him going into Turn 3. Almirola crashed head-first into the outside wall after hook, and Hill was parked for five laps during the race. 

Hill will need a waiver to remain eligible for the postseason. However if he's granted one, he will forfeit his 21 existing playoff points under the new rule implemented before the start of the season, which states that if a driver is granted a waiver for any non-medical reason, they will lose their playoff points. Hill will also not be eligible to earn any additional playoff points before the postseason begins.

Additionally, in Tuesday’s penalty report, NASCAR suspended two members of the Erik Jones No. 43 Legacy Motor Club team. Jones lost a right front wheel on lap 90 of Sunday’s Brickyard 400.

Kellen Mills, the jackman, and Josh Rosselli, the front tire changer, have been suspended for the next two Cup Series races. Those events are at Iowa Speedway and Watkins Glen.