SPEEDWAY, Ind. — Austin Hill’s aggressive move in Saturday’s Pennzoil 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has sparked controversy, landing him a five-lap penalty and a probable suspension from NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, Elton Sawyer, known for his stern “Sawyer Strikes” disciplinary approach. Austin Hill and Aric Almirola got into it!
With 12 laps remaining in the 100-lap race on the 2.5-mile oval, Hill, driving the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, made contact with Aric Almirola’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota.
NASCAR officials swiftly penalized Hill, holding him for five laps in the pits for reckless driving. The move drew immediate scrutiny, with fans and analysts pointing to Sawyer’s reputation for decisive punishments. Sawyer, often celebrated and criticized for his “Sawyer Strikes” moniker, has a history of cracking down on aggressive tactics, frequently amplifying his rulings with social media posts proclaiming “SAWYER STRIKES.” Insiders expect Sawyer to issue a one-race suspension for Hill, likely to be served at the next Xfinity event, Iowa Speedway.
PARK AUSTIN HILL!
Fans on social media echoed Almirola’s frustration, with many tagging Sawyer and anticipating his next “Sawyer Strikes” post. The incident overshadowed a dramatic finish where Zilisch got JRM’s 100th win.
Max Verstappen schools McLaren.
