Martinsville witnesses the firecrackers of an excited race yet again. NASCAR’s shortest track had been gearing up for a blockbuster weekend, with the battle in the Cup Series being as close as it could be. However, the penultimate race of the season was also of pretty high value in the Xfinity Series, and even more so for regular season champion and Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Hill. The RCR ace had one last chance at securing a spot in the championship four, but as the chaos unfolded, the last ray of hope diminished for him.

What added more spice in this case was the involvement of Hill’s RCR teammate, Sheldon Creed. The duo went at it in the final lap, turning out to be catastrophic for Richard Childress and co. as a two-lap window for the final push of the race emerged. Justin Allgaier used the chaos to his advantage as he claimed a spot in the championship four to win amid all the drama.

Infighting for RCR at Martinsville as Austin Hill slams teammate

No one expected such an intense and unpredictable finish before the main event of the weekend. However, the tension between the RCR teammates has worsened. Sparks of anger erupted between the two when contact with Creed left Austin Hill helpless at Bristol, surpassing all levels in the final lap of the race at Martinsville, however.

The RCR duo started in the front row on the overtime restart, and Austin Hill took the initial lead. Hill was in dire need of a win to seal his place for Phoenix, while Allgaier was close behind him in the standings, looking to capitalize on openings. Creed was unforgiving in this specific lap as he chipped at the bumper of the #21 on two successive turns and managed to go neck-to-neck with him.

However, what followed was an intense display of competition. The duo doored each other, and as a result, Austin Hill went sliding right into the middle of the track and collected more cars from the race as well. Speaking to eminent journalist Bob Pockrass in a post-race interview, Hill expressed his unending frustration at this hindrance. He said, “I mean, I know, showing us a way to get in, but at least give me a chance.”

Austin Hill emphasized that he would like Jesse Love to replace his departing teammate as soon as possible.

Read More: “…Before Somebody Gets Hurt”- Austin Hill Breaks Silence on Tense Martinsville Confrontation 11 Months After Infamous Pit Road Brawl

“The fact that I wasn’t given a chance and then when we got shoved up the racetrack, I haven’t seen the replays getting the #3, but when he won at the racetrack, he just parked in the center of the corner, and I had no power coming off the four so I cannot wait for him to get out of RCR. I can’t wait to have Jesse Love as a teammate. Maybe he’ll work better with me. Just cannot wait for him to get over Joe Gibbs Racing, and I don’t have to put up with that s**t no more.”

Hill highlights how it hurt his season.

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Had Hill not been impeded by his teammate’s efforts, he would have been on his way to Phoenix with something to fight for. Instead, Allgaier was the one to find a way to win the race and the fourth of this season. That win also gives JR Motorsports a second spot in the finale, with Sam Mayer having booked his place earlier. Cred’s involvement in this case was a factor that was uncounted from the beginning.

Even if the RCR duo would go up against each other on the restart, their going so aggressively against each other was uncalled for. Austin Hill highlighted the same later in his conversation, as he explained, “He just drives as I said. He always has.”

“Back in the Truck days, we became buddies. It’s just not called for. I know he was just trying to win the race. The problem is I kind of felt I was in a position where I needed to win because if he won I thought that’d possibly knock me out cause I didn’t know where Custer was. Had to be like 5 spots in front of Custer.”

Recollecting his emotions, Austin Hill didn’t fail to attribute his team for all the efforts they provided him with amid a memorable season. He added, “It’s just frustrating. Everyone on this #21 team is to hold their head up; they’re going to Phoenix.”

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At the end of this race, Sam Mayer, John Hunter Nemechek, Cole Custer, and Justin Allgaier complete the grid for this season’s most awaited race at Phoenix. Austin Hill must be imagining his name up there, but alas, things turned out to be different.