Austin Hill Dominates United Rentals 250 at Talladega

Austin Hill had the ideal Saturday afternoon as he won the United Rentals 250 at Talladega. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

LINCOLN, Ala. — Austin Hill added another highlight to his NASCAR XFINITY Series career Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, dominating the United Rentals 250 and edging Carson Kvapil by 0.105 seconds for the victory.

The No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet led three times for a race-high 48 of 100 laps, showcasing precision, patience, and top-end speed on the 2.66-mile superspeedway.

Hill started fifth and quickly moved forward in a field known for unpredictability. Talladega is notorious for its fast-paced pack racing, where drivers must combine raw speed, drafting skill, and split-second decision-making. Hill displayed all of those qualities, carefully weaving through the tightly packed field while conserving fuel, timing his surges, and controlling his lane with a focus on execution.

“I wasn’t that nervous about running out of fuel on the final restart. Crew chief Chad Haney said we should have two and a half gallons, and I knew I was saving fuel leading the race. We slowed the pace down a lot leading the pack. Nobody was making a move, and I said, well, if we get a late-race caution here, I will save some more. So I thought that we were going to be close, but I thought that we would make it,” Hill said.

As the race progressed, Hill alternated between staying in the lead and drafting strategically behind other trucks. His combination of aggression when needed and patience when appropriate allowed him to preserve his truck’s performance and maintain control over the critical final laps.

“I started having fuel pressure issues, so I dropped down to the apron of the track and came up. That’s why I chose the bottom, but really the bottom had been good all day,” he added.

Mainly, Hill’s ability to manage fuel while running at the front was key. The No. 21 team executed perfect pit stops and communicated effectively throughout the race, allowing Hill to remain competitive without losing track position. His decision-making, especially in the final laps, was decisive. He knew that positioning his car on the bottom line would give him traction and stability while fending off challenges from Kvapil and other contenders.

The race saw multiple lead changes, 17 among 10 drivers, showcasing the competitive nature of the XFINITY Series at Talladega. Hill, however, asserted himself late, taking the lead on lap 63 and holding it through the final checkered flag. His strategic lane choice, combined with perfect timing, allowed him to withstand repeated runs from competitors in the final laps, sealing a narrow but well-earned victory.

“Man, I cannot thank everyone enough on this No. 21 Chevrolet team, everyone at RCR (Richard Childress Racing), and the strong ECR engines we have. I would not want to have anything else under the hood. This win means so much with how the last part of my season has gone, and getting knocked out of the NASCAR Playoffs. I knew that I was still in the owner’s championship, and that’s one thing I want to do for Richard Childress – get him an Owner’s Championship. If I can’t get the driver’s championship, I can at least try to get the owner’s championship for RCR,” Hill said.

The win also marks Hill’s 14th career NASCAR XFINITY Series victory and his second consecutive Talladega win in the No. 21 Chevrolet. It demonstrated his seemingly unflappable prowess at superspeedways, where positioning, aerodynamics, and split-second judgment determine who crosses the line first. Fans saw Hill’s combination of calculated risk and aggressive passing, particularly when he slotted himself in the top lane while carefully monitoring the pack behind him.

Austin Hill made like Adam Vinatieri at the dome stadiums by winning Saturday’s United Rentals 300 at Talaldega, his third drafting style race win of the year. (Photo: Sydney Redeen | The Podium Finish)

“It’s always fun to race at these superspeedways, and to win at Talladega Superspeedway back-to-back in the No. 21 Bennett Transportation & Logistics Chevrolet, that’s something very cool,” he said.

While Hill’s performance dominated, the race was far from straightforward. Carson Kvapil in the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops/Clarience Tech Chevrolet applied pressure throughout the closing laps. Kvapil stayed in striking distance, using drafting to make several moves attempting to overtake Hill. The margin of victory. just 0.105 seconds, underscored the intensity of superspeedway racing, where momentum, timing, and split-second decisions define the difference between first and second.

Justin Allgaier in the No. 7 BRANDT Chevrolet finished third after a steady run through the pack, while Christian Eckes and Caesar Bacarella completed the top five. Blaine Perkins, Parker Retzlaff, Leland Honeyman, Sammy Smith, and Jesse Love rounded out the top ten, highlighting a mix of veteran racers and rising stars. Their performances demonstrated the depth of talent in the XFINITY Series and the ability of multiple drivers to challenge for victory at the high-speed, 2.66-mile track.

Talladega’s superspeedway environment produced cautions that affected strategy and track position. Five cautions slowed the race for 22 laps, including a red flag on Lap 18. Incidents involved multiple trucks, forcing crews to adjust strategies in real time. Hill’s team maintained composure, executing clean pit stops and maintaining track position when others scrambled to recover from accidents. The ability to avoid trouble while staying aggressive in the lead pack was a critical factor in Hill’s success.

Fuel management became particularly important in the closing laps. Hill’s calculated use of drafting and pace adjustments allowed him to preserve the necessary fuel to push hard during the final segment. The driver’s ability to balance throttle control, aerodynamics, and positioning reflected both his experience and the quality of his team.

For fans, the United Rentals 250 provided excitement at every turn. Multiple lead changes, careful maneuvering, and tight finishing margins kept viewers on edge. Hill’s performance exemplified the precise combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork needed to succeed at superspeedways.

Austin Hill made like a pied piper in Saturday’s United Rentals 250 at Talladega. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

The win adds momentum for Hill and Richard Childress Racing as they pursue the Owner’s Championship. Even though Hill was eliminated from contention for the driver’s championship, this victory allows him and the 21 team to continue showcasing their talent and commitment to excellence. The win also adds points toward the owner’s championship, a key goal for RCR, demonstrating how individual victories contribute to broader team objectives.

Hill’s ability to manage his No. 21 Chevrolet throughout the race highlighted the importance of tire management, drafting, and maintaining position. The track’s high banking and long straights demanded precision, particularly in the closing laps, when small mistakes can be costly. Hill’s execution under pressure confirmed his status as one of the top superspeedway drivers in the series.

As the season nears its conclusion, Hill’s Talladega win will serve as a benchmark for performance. It underscores his consistency, racecraft, and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. For RCR, Hill’s result demonstrates the importance of engine performance, pit crew excellence, and strategic planning.

The win serves as a testament to the organization’s commitment to delivering results across the XFINITY Series schedule with next Saturday night’s IAA and Ritchie Bros. 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Aside from Hill, who has a shot to win the owner’s championship, in terms of the drivers’ championship, Connor Zilisch and Justin Allgaier advanced to the Championship 4.

Stage 1 Top 10 Results

Stage 2 Top 10 Results

Austin Hill and those battling in the end of Saturday’s United Rentals 250 at Talladega raced just before sunset. (Photo: Sydney Redden | The Podium Finish)

United Rentals 250 at Talladega Superspeedawy Race Results