Austin Hill to lose crew chief for elimination race
As Austin Hill sits narrowly above the cutline, heading into the ultimate do-or-die race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, he won’t have his regular crew chief on the pit box.
NASCAR suspended crew chief Andy Street for the Xfinity Series race Saturday at Martinsville Speedway.
In post-race tech inspection at Homestead-Miami Speedway, officials found Austin Hill’s left front tire had two loose lugnuts.
The finding prompted a $10,000 fine and a one-race suspension for Street.
Since Austin Hill moved up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series last year, Street has been his crew chief in every race.
Now, as Hill sits fourth in the playoff standings, just +3 points to Justin Allgaier, the first driver below the cutline, he will be without Street for the first time.
The Dead-On Tools 250 at Martinsville goes green just after 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Heading into the race, the points are as follows:
- Sam Mayer: WIN
- John Hunter Nemechek (+44)
- Cole Custer (+3)
- Austin Hill (+3)
- Justin Allgaier (3110 pts, -3)
- Sammy Smith (-49)
- Chandler Smith (-54)
- Sheldon Creed (-65)
