Will luck allow Austin Hill to kiss the bricks at Indy? (Photo Credit: Richard Childress Racing | X)

Lucky 13 rides along with the driver who qualifies 13th, keeping an eye on how their race unfolds. This driver could be sent to the back of the pack and still pull off a victory, or their luck could take a nosedive early in the race. With luck on their side – or against them – anything can happen! So, grab your four-leaf clovers, your lucky horseshoes, and maybe even a rabbit’s foot for the latest Lucky 13! Will it be fortune or misfortune? Let’s find out!

Pennzoil 250

Driver: Austin Hill
Organization & Number: Richard Childress Racing, #21
Crew Chief: Chad Haney

Stage 1

With a soggy Friday putting an early end to practice, NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers took to Indianapolis Motor Speedway with more rain in the forecast. On the opening lap, Austin Hill fell to P18, but as drivers settled into a single-file line, he was working on getting by Ryan Sieg.

(Photo Credit: WhizBuddy | X)

Harrison Burton brought out the first caution on Lap 3 after spinning in Turn 2, just as Hill claimed P17.

Action resumed on Lap 7, and Hill found himself three-wide and in P16. After a crazy move, he jumped to P14.

Two laps later, he was once again three-wide and in P12 with a mirror full of Dean Thompson.

Hill radioed in that his car was “Extremely tight. Plowing tight.”

Before he knew it, Kyle Larson jumped to his bumper, and Hill was fighting to keep the NASCAR Cup Series driver behind him.

Lap 12 saw Larson claim P12, and one lap later, the team delivered some bad news. The nose of Hill’s No. 21 was cracked. Hill was promised a fix was coming at the break and was instructed to simply finish out the stage.

Throughout the final laps of the stage, the team examined pictures of the “gash” on the nose of the car. Despite the trouble, Hill crossed the line P15, thankful to see the green-white-checkered.

Stage 2

Following a long stop that lost him 10 spots, Hill lined up ready to fight back. Before taking the green, Richard Childress came over the radio to tell his driver that rain was moving in.

The stage got off to a shaky start with drivers hitting the wall throughout the field, but Hill maintained P24.

Within a lap, he gained four spots. The race was on as he gained another spot a lap later.

Halfway through the second stage, Hill found himself running P16. He continued to pick off cars one at a time and was sitting P14 with nine to go.

(Photo Credit: James Gilbert | Getty Images)

When the stage ended, he found himself in the same spot, asking for minimal changes.

Stage 3

The final stage saw Hill lined up P15 with instructions to be “eyes forward…ready for anything.”

Just ahead of him, into Turn 1, Leland Honeyman got into Carson Kvapil, bringing out the caution. With that, he jumped to P11. Before the race could resume, the rain moved in. However, it was just a few sprinkles. It quickly dried up, and drivers were able to get back to work.

With 27 to go, the real rain was just around the corner. Hill quickly gained a spot as drivers used every inch of the track to attempt to make a move.

With 25 to go, Hill broke into the top 10. Five laps later, the caution was out for rain.

Hill said, “That’s the best the car has been.” He felt that if the race were to continue, he would easily be able to get around the next couple of cars.

NASCAR burned laps, waiting for the track to dry, with the green coming back out with 14 to go. Hill restarted P9 and was told, “If you see it, take it.”

He did just that and jumped to P4. With 10 to go, he was closing in on the leaders, but then contact with Aric Almirola sent both cars spinning.

 

Hill took to the pits for massive repairs, but while with his crew, the race was red-flagged.

During the red flag, Hill was informed he would be held five laps for reckless driving. After an expletive-filled tirade over the radio, Childress came over the radio, expressing his displeasure as well.

With two to go, Hill was released from pit road and finished the day P34, down five laps.

NASCAR fans will have to wait and see if additional penalties are to come Hill’s way.

NASCAR fans know sponsors make the sport go ’round. We want to give a shout-out to Bennett Transportation. They played a huge part of the weekend for Austin and the No. 21 team.

Be sure to give Austin Hill (Facebook, Instagram, X) and Richard Childress Racing (Facebook, Instagram, X) a follow to keep up with the latest news from the driver and team.