Austin Hill Sets Record with Thrilling Talladega Photo Finish

In a thrilling showdown at the Ag-Pro 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill emerged victorious in a dramatic three-wide photo finish. Hill’s triumph marked his ninth superspeedway victory and solidified his place in NASCAR history as the all-time winningest driver on drafting-style tracks, surpassing Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt.

This race featured intense competition, unexpected twists, and historical milestones.

The Thrilling Finish

The Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway delivered an electrifying finish that left fans on the edge of their seats. As the race approached its conclusion, Austin Hill found himself in a fierce battle with Jeb Burton and his RCR teammate Jesse Love.

The race took a dramatic turn when Love’s No. 2 Chevrolet made contact with JR Motorsports rookie Connor Zilisch’s No. 88 Chevy, causing Zilisch to spin out and hit the wall. This incident led to the simultaneous waving of the caution and checkered flags, freezing the field with Hill narrowly ahead of Burton and Love.

Austin Hill’s Historic Victory

Austin Hill’s victory at Talladega was a historic milestone. With this triumph, Hill became the NASCAR Xfinity Series all-time winningest driver on drafting-style tracks, breaking a tie with Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt.

Hill’s win at Talladega was his third of the season and the 13th of his career. He expressed his elation, stating, *Man, we really had to work for that one. Our car was really good, and everyone at RCR and RCR engines are bad to the bone, like always.*

He acknowledged the challenges he faced during the race, particularly when he thought he had made a mistake by not covering Love’s move. However, Hill’s determination and skill ultimately led him to victory.

Jeb Burton’s Heartbreak

For Jeb Burton, the race ended in frustration and disappointment. Burton, who has two previous wins at Talladega, believed he was leading the field at the time of the caution.

Video evidence confirmed Hill’s victory. An emotional Burton remarked, *I felt like we did everything we could today, so just frustrated. Every angle I see, we won the race.*

Despite the setback, Burton expressed his appreciation for his team and their efforts.

Jesse Love’s Redemption

Jesse Love, the defending race winner, led a race-best 50 of the 113 laps but finished third after the chaotic final lap. Love admitted to making contact with his best friend, Connor Zilisch, during the race and expressed his regret.

*I’m pretty sure I wrecked my best friend. I’m going to owe him an apology,* Love said. Despite the incident, Love managed to push Hill to victory and secure a third-place finish.

Notable Performances and Milestones

The Ag-Pro 300 also featured several noteworthy performances and milestones. Reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier finished fourth, maintaining his 79-point advantage over Hill atop the standings.

Viking Motorsports’ Matt DiBenedetto rounded out the top five. His performance showcased his skill and determination.

Katherine Legge’s Historic Lead

One of the most significant moments of the race was Katherine Legge becoming the fourth woman in history to lead a NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Legge, a sports car and IndyCar veteran, led lap 75 in the No. 32 Jordan Anderson Motorsport Chevrolet, equaling Danica Patrick’s one-lap lead at Talladega in 2012.

Although Legge’s race ended prematurely due to an accident triggered by Aric Almirola, her performance was a testament to her talent and determination.

Looking Ahead

The NASCAR Xfinity Series now moves to the 1.5-mile Texas Motor Speedway for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300.

Defending race winner Sam Mayer will look to replicate his success. Austin Hill aims to continue his winning streak and extend his lead in the standings.

Fans can catch all the action on The CW Network. Coverage is also available on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

For more details on the Ag-Pro 300 and Austin Hill’s victory, visit the official race report.