In his first two full seasons in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Austin Hill has come agonizingly close to qualifying for the Championship 4 finale at Phoenix Raceway.
In 2022, he was frozen out of the final four despite scoring top-10 finishes in all three of the Round of 8 races.
Last season, Hill got roughed up by then-Richard Childress Racing teammate Sheldon Creed on the final two overtime laps of the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville and lost the final Championship 4 spot on points to Cole Custer, who went on to win the title.
The difference this year might be Hill’s pit crew, which has performed superbly throughout the season.
“One area where we shine really bright is in the pit crew department,” Hill said. “Our pit crew is extremely good. They’re ranked number one right now throughout the season. They get me positions on the track each and every week.
“Even if we don’t have a car that can run in the top five, they put me there. Then I’ve got to get up on the wheel and keep it there. I think for us to go deep in these Playoffs, we’ve got to have our pit crew on point like they have been all year long.”