Rear End Failure Derails Austin Hill’s Bid at a Daytona Four-Peat

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After 60 laps, it appeared it was going to be yet another United Rentals 300 rerun of Austin Hill winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series opener at Daytona.

That all changed during an intense final stage. A bad smell created a domino effect as the winner of the last three 300-milers sustained a bizarre rear end issue that ultimately dashed a dominant night after completing 82 laps.

Consequently, Hill was classified 33rd after leading 50 of the race-extended 126 laps, eliminating him from a Daytona four-peat. The feat still ended up happening for car owner Richard Childress as Hill’s teammate Jesse Love, who led 30 laps, went on to score the victory.

After exiting his car, Hill wasn’t sure what the main culprit of his retirement was. He commented during the MRN Radio broadcast that it could’ve been between a rear hub and gearing. This issue alarmed Hill and knew that his night was coming earlier than he would’ve wanted.

“I started feeling some things under that last caution we had before green. I thought it smelt weird like some burned up oil or rear end grease,” Hill commented.

“When we got back going, I saw a little bit of smoke in the cockpit and I’m like ‘man, this isn’t good.’”

By that point, all Hill could do is ride along until it wasn’t viable which took place during green flag pit stops. More smoke and a massive vibration led to the end of days for the series’ top-tier superspeedway racer.

From that point, Hill commented that the team and the ECR engineering employees shouldn’t feel bad as his mindset is teamwork. Especially when he felt like wins that were his end due to his own doing on the track.

“A lot of guys are going to beat themselves up about it, but you win as a team, and you lose as a team. I know I’ve lost a lot of races because of making mistakes and doing different things that the No. 21 should’ve won.

“You’re going to have that in NASCAR. There’s going to be times you’re king of the world and there’s going to be times you have stuff like this happen,” said Hill.

“We’re just going to have to bounce back really strong in Atlanta.”

Hill added that on top of Atlanta, a race he’s won four times, his confidence about the next set of races should provide encouragement for the No. 21 to bounce back and overcome a tough opener at Daytona.