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Austin Hill Wins At Talladega; Zilisch And Allgaier Clinch Spot In Championship Four

by racerx55 October 19, 2025 1 comment

Story & Photo By Christian Koelle/TheFourthTurn.com

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Saturday’s United Rentals 250 came down to NASCAR Overtime, and despite the remaining drivers’ attempt to stop Austin Hill, they were unsuccessful as he won and went back-to-back at Talladega Superspeedway.

Hill ran away from the field on the final lap. Nick Sanchez and Christian Eckes mounted a charge, but Sanchez got turned into the wall on the backstretch, ending his attempt at his second-career victory.  Eckes continued his charge with no caution, looking for his first-career victory with Carson Kvapil in tow. Kvapil moved on Eckes with help from his teammate, Allgaier, but the disorganization sealed the victory for Hill. 

“Being able to race for Richard Childress is always special and to be able to deliver wins like this,’’ Hill said. “As the Playoff started and us getting knocked out the way we did, stung a lot, but once we knew we were still in it for the owner’s championship, I decided I’d do it just like I would going for a driver’s championship.

“To be able to lock ourselves in and go to Phoenix knowing we’re going for an owner’s championship and be able to try and deliver one to Richard Childress Racing means the world to me.”

Kvapil earned a second-place finish, followed by Allgaier, who will defend his 2024 championship at Phoenix Raceway later this month. Eckes finished fourth and Caesar Bacarella rounded out the top-five. Completing the top-10 was Blaine Perkins, Parker Retzlaff, Leland Honeyman, Sammy Smith and Jesse Love.

A common name missing from the top-10 was Connor Zilisch. He was involved in an accident on Lap 46 but rebounded with a heavily damaged race car to finish 23rd. He also punched his ticket to Phoenix.

The race started wild with an accident on Lap 16 involving a good chunk of the field. Haas Factory Team Playoff contenders, Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer were taken out in the accident that started on the frontstretch, when Jeb Burton and Brandon Jones made contact. Both Creed and Mayer are now in must-win situations if they want to make the Championship Four. 

With six laps to go, Connor Mosack and Honeyman made contact in Turn One, sending Mosack into the outside wall. Dean Thompson and William Sawalich were just innocent bystanders as Thompson got hit and spun, and Sawalich was sandwiched into the wall. Sawalich was transported to a local area hospital for further evaluation after the accident, but was released per Joe Gibbs Racing at 2:11 a.m. Sunday. 

The final NASCAR Xfinity Series race before the Championship 4 will take place at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, Oct. 25. Live coverage of the IAA & Ritchie Bros. 250 will broadcast live on the CW at 7:30 p.m. ET.