Martinsville, VA – Chaos reigned supreme at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday night, but when the smoke cleared, it was Austin Hill celebrating in Victory Lane. In a jaw-dropping final lap filled with carnage and controversy, Hill emerged from the madness to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250, securing his second victory of the season and his first-ever Martinsville Grandfather Clock.
A Final Lap for the Ages
With just one lap to go in overtime, Hill found himself sitting sixth, seemingly out of contention. Up front, Sammy Smith and Taylor Gray were locked in a heated battle for the win, trading paint as they barreled into Turn 4. But in classic Martinsville fashion, tempers flared, fenders crunched, and suddenly—both cars wrecked!
That’s when Hill saw his opportunity. With a lightning-fast reaction, he darted low, dodging spinning cars and flying debris, and shot past the chaos to take the checkered flag.
“I still can’t believe it,” Hill said post-race, shaking his head with a grin. “We weren’t even in the picture until the last few seconds. I saw an opening and just sent it. Unreal.”
Cautions, Carnage, and Controversy
Martinsville is known for its beating and banging, and this race didn’t disappoint. The event saw multiple cautions, a dramatic overtime restart, and plenty of heated tempers.
Connor Zilisch, who led a race-high 100 laps after starting from the pole, looked like the man to beat for most of the night. But as the laps wound down, aggression levels spiked, and he found himself shuffled back in the chaos, ultimately finishing a disappointing 28th.
After the race, tensions boiled over as Taylor Gray stormed toward Sammy Smith near the infield care center, clearly furious over their late-race incident. Crew members had to intervene before things escalated further.
A Historic Win for Richard Childress Racing
Beyond Hill’s personal triumph, the win also marked a major milestone for Richard Childress Racing—their 100th career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory.
“Man, what a way to get No. 100,” said team owner Richard Childress. “Austin drove the wheels off that thing. That’s the kind of racing that makes Martinsville special.”
What’s Next?
With this victory, Hill solidifies himself as a championship contender heading into the heart of the season. But with rivalries now burning hotter than ever, one thing’s for sure—Martinsville left some unfinished business.
As the Xfinity Series rolls into its next stop, one question lingers: Who will be the next driver to seize their moment in the madness?
