(Video) Austin Hill Dumps Michael McDowell and Causes a 16-Car Wreck at Watkins Glen

RCR driver Austin Hill once again caused chaos in the field after triggering a 16-car wreck at Watkins Glen.

(Video) Austin Hill Dumps Michael McDowell and Causes a 16-Car Wreck at Watkins Glen

Austin Hill (via BVM Sports) Michael McDowell (via Imagn Images) 16-car Watkins Glen wreck (via @TheCW_Sports)

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Austin Hill is not having the best of times in NASCAR. The No. 21 driver seems to be marred in controversy over his driving. After being suspended in Indianapolis over a collision, Hill triggered a massive 16-car wreck during the Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen.

The RCR driver was battling Michael McDowell for second place in the final stage of the race, behind race leader Connor Zilisch. Hill got right behind the No. 11 car and tried to make a move on the inside. However, Austin Hill ended up clipping the rear of McDowell’s car. This pushed the No. 11 right into the wall, with the No. 21 getting carried along.

Following this first contact, several cars got caught up in the wreck as drivers failed to avoid trouble. By the end of the incident, a total of 16 cars were involved. The incident caused a red flag and most of the cars in the Top 10 were out of the race. Ultimately, it was Connor Zilisch who clinched victory. Albeit, the 19-year-old was taken to a hospital after a shocking Victory Lane incident.

Right after the wreck, NASCAR personality and co-host on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Mamba Smith expressed his thoughts. Smith insisted that it was unlikely that Austin Hill caused this collision on purpose. However, officials might have no choice but to take action.

I don’t think Austin Hill did that on purpose… Buuuuut he’s putting officials in a really tough spot.

Mamba Smith wrote on X.

NASCAR presenter Corey LaJoie responded to Smith’s tweet. The 33-year-old asserted that it’s time for Austin Hill to ‘use his head’ and avoid such unnecessary trouble. It is clear that Hill’s on-track antics are only damaging his image in the field after every race.

It doesn’t matter if it was on purpose or not. He couldn’t have been in a worse position to force any leverage there. You can use your head and lift.

Corey LaJoie replied on X.

Austin Hill unapologetic over previous NASCAR wreck

Before Hill returned to the field at Watkins Glen, he was forced to spend one race away from NASCAR. However, despite losing all 21 Playoff bonus points due to his suspension, he remains undeterred.

Austin Hill
Austin Hill (via Getty images)

Austin Hill remained unapologetic over his Indianapolis crash before the Watkins Glen race. The RCR driver made it clear that the wreck was unintentional and he was not going to change the way he races. Hill stood firmly by his stance despite acknowledging that he will receive backlash for such remarks.

I’ll probably get backlash for it, but absolutely not. I’m gonna still race the way I always do. I’m a hard-nosed racer. It was fully unintentional. It’s easy for me saying that right now with it being two weeks out, but I’m an extremely honest person.

Austin Hill told CW.

This was not the first instance when Hill was penalized for his on-track antics. In 2024, the RCR driver was fined $25,000 and lost 25 points for his incident with Cole Cluster in Charlotte.

Austin Hill meant it when he said he was not going to change his driving style. The wreck at Watkins Glen might not be intentional, since the two drivers were at high speeds. But, it shows that Hill will always be willing to make aggressive moves without worrying about the potential risks. This time, the RCR driver not only ruined his own race, but of 15 other drivers. Such an approach is simply not acceptable in NASCAR.

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