What can be a bigger win than toppling the most legendary NASCAR family? The Earnhardt legacy is evergreen in the sport, with both Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr. racking up numerous achievements. Dale Sr. owns seven Cup Series championships, 34 wins at Daytona International Speedway, and so much more. However, one Xfinity Series star has come closer than ever to that trail of success – Austin Hill.

The Richard Childress Racing driver has been a force to reckon with in the Xfinity Series. Being a ten-time race winner in NASCAR’s second tier, Hill’s three-peat Daytona record is impeccable. Yet he lost his chance to set a brand-new record in 2025 – despite earning bragging rights over Dale Sr.

A mix of woe and happiness

The United Rentals 300 race is live in Daytona, with fans glued to the screens for the first Xfinity Series race of 2025. All eyes were on defending Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier, but Austin Hill stole his charm in the Xfinity race. The defending Xfinity Daytona winner stormed to the lead 20 laps down in the 120-lap event, taking advantage of two caution flags. That dazzling run landed Hill two stage wins in dominant fashion. However, that glory did not last long as Hill washed up against trouble. Hill wheeled his No. 21 Chevrolet into the pits as the race hit the 100th lap.

According to a NASCAR insider, Austin Hill experienced mechanical problems in Stage 3. Michael Massie posted on X: “Alright, shut it off.” “Are we done?” “I believe so.” The rear gear is potentially ending a dominant night for @_AustinHill.” This marked a sad ending to what appeared to be a dominant day for the RCR driver. However, he can soothe his fresh wound, as Hill has surpassed NASCAR’s legend who once used to drive for Richard Childress Racing too. According to NASCAR Insights post on X, “Austin Hill has now surpassed Dale Earnhardt for the 2nd most laps led on drafting tracks in Xfinity Series history.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. occupies the top spot on the leaderboard, having led 691 laps on drafting tracks. His father Dale Sr. is in third place with 573 laps led – having been toppled by Austin Hill who has led 575+ laps. This is a magnificent milestone considering Dale Sr.’s unbeatable legacy at superspeedways. Besides his NASCAR record 34 Daytona victories, the Intimidator clinched 10 victories at Talladega Superspeedway. So Hill can relax a little bit after his heartbreaking 2025 season debut. He was on his way to pick up his fourth straight Daytona win until technical problems intervened.

After Hill came ever so close to breaking the record, it’s worth looking back at his emotions in 2024, when he tied it.

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Enjoying the Daytona glory

NASCAR has a few hallowed racetracks that can parallel no other. Daytona International Speedway is one of them, as the prestigious superspeedway has been on the sport’s schedule since the very beginning. And taming the complex aerodynamics of the track is a puzzle that many drivers still seek to crack. Dale Earnhardt Sr. cracked it almost three dozen times, which included six IROC races, four Budweiser Shootouts, and five Xfinity Series wins among others.

There are only a handful of repeat winners in Daytona in the Xfinity series, with Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Tony Stewart tied on three and Austin Hill was looking to break this record entering today’s race. Despite being unable to claim victory, Austin Hill can be proud to be part of this respected group. This amazing honor left the RCR driver on cloud nine when he clinched his last victory.

Although 2025 did not go according to his wishes, Austin Hill was on fire last year. From beating his teammate to winning the stage to avoiding a wreck in the ending laps, Hill overcame difficult odds to win the 2024 race. Later, he was beaming with joy: “You know how hard it is to win at Daytona? God almighty! I don’t know what was going on with me on pit road today. My guys just kept telling me, ‘Look man, dig deep. You’re really good at these superspeedways.’ I tried to screw it up on pit road. Sped on pit road, slipped through the box, about slid through the box on the first stop.”

Austin Hill’s Daytona resume is already dazzling. Hill can also take comfort in the new record-breaking stat over Dale Sr. Rest assured, it won’t be long until he passes up Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the list too!