“I like my chances for the rest of the weekend.” So, folks, Larson has decided to run all three races at the track. After a spin, putting him at the rear of the pack in the Truck Race. Larson ran literally inches from the wall to ease through the traffic and climb back to the top 5, eventually, taking the win. And it’s a known fact that Larson is a master of running the fence. However, one Xfinity driver has got a unique plan to counter him.

Here, we have a driver who likes to challenge the status quo and run the bottom lane instead. You probably guessed the driver we are talking about. Even Larson was quick to identify him. “Austin Hill was really good here last year, so he’ll be tough. He was standout good, being different around the bottom. I know my car will be good, just gotta keep it out of the wall, like I did tonight [at the Truck race].”

Austin Hill prefers the bottom lane more on most tracks. And that’s also kind of how he made his way into last season’s championship four, defeating Cole Custer at Homestead Miami. And the Richard Childress driver plans to do the same in the upcoming race!

It’s obvious that Larson is looking for a sweep. And not only is he coming into the race with winning momentum, but also with past confidence to run well on the track. He has run four times here in the Xfinity Series, winning once, and finishing thrice in the top 5. In fact, Larson’s got an average finish of 3.3 at Homestead. Which naturally makes him a front-runner and an obvious threat to the track’s defending winner Austin Hill.

But Austin Hill and Kyle Larson have very different approaches to Homestead Miami. Ahead of the race, Hill revealed his approach. He said, “I’ve always been that way in my career. I’ve always been one to run the bottom a lot. Even last week, obviously, the bottom was kind of where you needed to be in Vegas, but I feel like I made the bottom work really well in Vegas and have been able to make it work at a lot of various racetracks, not just Homestead.” 

And the #21 driver also revealed the reason why he prefers the bottom lane so much. “The reason I’m able to make it work and do the things that I do on the bottom is that I seem to like a very loose race car for the most part. For whatever reason, the way I like the car set up and the way I like to have it on the free side, it just works being down on the bottom. I think it makes it a lot easier…The first time here at Homestead, I was able to make the bottom work, and I’ve been able to do it ever since. I’m not saying that tomorrow I don’t have to go run the top to be able to run with Larson, but we’ll just have to wait and see,” he added.

Even Dale Jr. knows Hill’s talents when it comes to controlling the race. While talking about the RCR driver’s talents at superspeedway, Junior explained just what makes Hill so good. “I tell our guys every time that we go to those races that if you push that 21 [Hill] into the lead, you’re signing up to run second. I don’t tell them to take him out, but if they’re in a situation where they get to choose to push the 21 into the lead or a different car, my gut would tell me not to push the 21 into the lead because he’s hard to pass once he gets it. He’s very smart, controls the lanes, has a great racecar that not many people get runs on him. And you’re making it easier for him when you push him out there and give him the lead.” 

Well, time will tell which lane is the fastest in the upcoming race. Also, Kyle Larson might not be the only threat to Hill. His own teammate in the #2 car is pretty good at Homestead. If you recall, Jesse Love was P4 last season in the race. And he finished above Hill in the recent Las Vegas race in P3. So clearly he’s got the skill to run intermediates. And this season Love’s been in good form, remember how he won the season-opening race in Daytona? Also, Love might stand between Hill and Homestead Miami, but still, the #21 driver is all for helping his teammate out.

Austin Hill shares his race craft with competitors

Teammates helping each other in NASCAR is common. We see them pushing each other, we see crew chiefs exchanging notes on what lanes are the best. However, giving your secret sauce… that’s rare. And ahead of the race, Hill has shared tips for Homestead with his colleagues. “It’s been funny this week just talking to the guys at the shop and talking to some of the drivers at Kaulig and stuff. They haven’t flat out asked me, but I’ve kind of told them some areas to look at on the racetrack. Obviously, you don’t want to give all your secrets away to your competition, but at the same time, they’re Alliance partners, and obviously my teammate Jesse, I try to help him as much as I can.”

But still, Hill has been careful not to reveal too much. “But at the same token, I still want to be the one on top, so some information I kind of keep to myself.” And folks, Hill’s advice seems to work well. He also revealed giving Chandler Smith some tips ahead of his Truck Series race. And after starting the race in P15, the Front Row Motorsports driver managed to get 8th place in the race. So clearly something worked. Back in his Xfinity days, Smith had an 18.0 average finish at Homestead.

And Hill on this said, “I haven’t had anyone actually come up to me yet and flat out say, “How do you make the bottom work here?” I just saw Chandler Smith a second ago when I was walking up, and he asked, “Are you going to go run the bottom and wax everybody?” I just laughed, and he said, “I don’t know how you do it.” I gave him a little tidbit of something that I do here that I think works really well and told him to go try it in practice.” Let’s see if Hill can continue his Homestead dominance.

What do you think? Can Austin Hill win the race? Or will Larson get two for two? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.