CHICAGO — NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Austin Hill ignited a firestorm of controversy during Saturday’s The Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Course, reportedly making an obscene gesture toward competitor Daniel Dye after a heated on-track incident.
The altercation, which occurred during the 50-lap race on the 2.2-mile, 12-turn circuit, was captured in a post on X, detailing a tense post-race exchange where Hill referenced Dye’s gesture, escalating tensions between the two drivers.
Hill, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, is no stranger to aggressive racing or post-race confrontations. The 31-year-old Georgia native, in his fourth full-time Xfinity season, has built a reputation as a fierce competitor, particularly at drafting tracks, with nine career wins at superspeedways like Daytona and Atlanta. However, his actions in Chicago drew scrutiny, as the gesture—commonly known as “flipping the bird”—was seen as unsportsmanlike by some fans and analysts, prompting debate about driver conduct in NASCAR’s second-tier series.
The incident unfolded during a chaotic race marked by tight corners and high stakes, with Hill and Dye battling for position. Dye, a 21-year-old rookie in the No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, reportedly initiated the exchange by gesturing at Hill, who responded in kind after the race. The confrontation, while not physical, underscored the intense emotions of racing on the challenging street course, where precision and tempers are often pushed to the limit. Neither driver was penalized by NASCAR, but the incident added fuel to Hill’s polarizing presence in the series.
Hill, who finished the race in a competitive position, has had a strong 2025 season, with three victories, including a record-tying fifth win at Atlanta Motor Speedway, matching Kevin Harvick’s mark. His dominance at drafting tracks and a $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus at Martinsville highlight his talent, but his aggressive style has sparked past conflicts, including a 2022 pit road altercation with Myatt Snider and a 2023 clash with Sheldon Creed that cost him a Championship 4 berth.
Saturday’s race saw Shane van Gisbergen (SVG) take the victory in the No. 9 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, despite a malfunctioning cool shirt that left him battling heat exhaustion. SVG, who led the field alongside Hill at the green flag, was evaluated and released from the infield care center post-race. The win marked his third Xfinity victory of 2024, all on road courses, solidifying his prowess on technical tracks like Chicago.
The NASCAR weekend continues Sunday with the Cup Series’ Grant Park 165 at 2 p.m. ET on TNT, where Hill will compete in the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, one of his five scheduled Cup starts in 2025. As the series shifts focus to the Cup race, Hill’s actions in Chicago remain a talking point, with fans divided on whether the gesture was a heat-of-the-moment reaction or a step too far. With eight races remaining in the Xfinity regular season, Hill’s focus will likely return to chasing a championship, but his Chicago antics ensure he remains a lightning rod in the garage.
Austin Hill has a history of outlandish behavior on the NASCAR Xfinity Series circuit. That continued on Saturday!
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