“He Is Trying to Wreck Me” – Austin Hill Breaks His Silence on How He Dealt With NASCAR’s Bully to Earn the Respect of the Grid

Unlike the current politically correct world, in racing, respect isn’t something one should demand but it’s something one should earn. Especially in NASCAR which is known for its aggressive style of race where drivers bump each other into the wall and go about their business. So for an emerging driver, it is of paramount importance that he/she earns the respect from the field in order to race your way to the top and not be slapped around the track.

Speaking to NASCAR veteran, Dale Earnhardt Jr, RCR’s Xfinity sensation revealed how he earned his respect back in his Truck Series days, locking horns with the “bully” by proving his will.

Austin Hill recalls his Truck Series feud, revealing how he earned the respect of the field

When things to a certain point, to the extreme unbearable limit, that’s when a man shows his true colors, revealing the fighter in him. It is fight or flight when it gets to that breaking point. The one who buckles under the pressure looks for an easy way out while some stand their ground to take on the adversity.

Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill is one individual who doesn’t back from a fight. The #3 ranked Xfinity Series driver unlike most drivers did not take the high road, instead, he chose to slowly climb the ranks, racing Trucks until he won the title in 2020 to transition to NASCAR’s 2nd tier division.

Reflecting on his infamous feud with Johnny Sauter who is the typical “tough guy” in Truck Series, speaking to Dale Jr who enquired about the Iowa stint, Hill simply said, “I’m not going to put up with nobody’s sh*t anymore like, I’m going to stay on my ground and I’m going to, I don’t care how big you are like, I’m going to go toe-to-toe with you.” 

He then went on to detail how he dealt with such a fearsome competitor who had an intimidating aura. “I knew Johnny Sauter, I’ve seen him race and that day you know it happened before Iowa, I think it was the week before, I don’t remember Texas or Vegas maybe, I’m underneath him and I felt like he ran me really really tight into the corner like I get lose and I race up the racetrack and not malicious, I’m not trying to wreck him but I hit him and he ends up hitting the wall, pancaking the wall.”

WATCH THIS STORY | Blaney’s triumph amidst Hamlin’s tactics 

While Sauter came back right around to chase Hill a couple of more laps, things eventually got straight with him in the end. Recalling how the 45-year-old tried his best to scare him, Hill said, “But every caution from then on like, I dont think NASCAR saw it or anything but every caution from then on, he is like, even if he wasn’t behind me on the racetrack, he would come to find me every caution and like hit me in the back bumper and he would like swerve and like try to spin me out and I’m like on the radio like, is NASCAR not going to do anything about this? Like what are we doing here, like, he is trying to wreck me under every caution.”

Hill shares the important life lesson his father taught him that got him out of the Sauter situation

Trending

Rick Hendrick’s Company Drops a Surprise Christmas Gift for Chase Elliott & Co

Hailie Deegan’s Struggles Worsen as Accident From Race Against NASCAR Legends Emerges

NASCAR Found Guilty by Law After Offending Michael Jordan’s Team in Antitrust Lawsuit

Bubba Wallace Faces Brutal Warning on His 23XI Racing Future From NASCAR Veteran

NASCAR Lawsuit: Both Parties Reach an Agreement as One Loses the First Bout

Running, and escaping from one’s problems is not the ideal approach one should have in life. Rather than running from problems, facing them head-on will actually end the issue there and inculcate an important life lesson. And having a father who can actually relate to the problems and reach out with healthy suggestions is certainly a boon.

Hill had just that. His father during his middle school days taught him a lesson that the 29-year-old took to his heart – “Dont put up with nobody’s sh*t.” In fact, this was what earned him the respect he deserved when Sauter tried to throw his weight around the RCR driver. His father’s bold words did their magic as Hill confronted his middle school bully and his Truck Series “bully,” taking adversity head-on and proving his mettle. 

READ MORE: “There Was No Hustle” – Dale Earnhardt Jr Accuses Richard Childress’ Grandson of Mirroring His Tactics to Kickstart New Venture