Trouble came early for Richard Childress Racing during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Kansas Lottery 300 at Kansas Speedway. Two of its drivers, Austin Hill and Jesse Love, made contact while racing for position late in Stage 1. What looked like a routine fight for points quickly turned into a crash that ended Hill’s race.
The moment shifted attention across the garage, as teammate incidents often do. Hill was taken to the infield care center for evaluation and later released. Love stayed on track and recovered, but the damage was already done. With both drivers fighting for strong positions in the standings, the incident drew attention to how teammates manage close racing.
Austin Hill Was Taken Out After Early Contact With Jesse Love in the NASCAR Race
The incident happened on lap 38 as Jesse Love in the No. 2 Chevrolet and Austin Hill in the No. 21 Chevrolet battled for sixth place. Both drivers pushed hard in the closing laps of Stage 1, trying to gain stage points.
As they exited Turn 4, Love drifted closer to Hill’s right-rear quarter panel. The move affected the airflow around Hill’s car and upset its balance. Hill lost control and spun across the track. William Sawalich in the No. 18 Toyota then made heavy contact with Hill.
The damage ended Hill’s race after just 37 laps. He went to the infield care center for checks and was released soon after. Speaking outside, Hill made his frustration clear.
“Jesse’s better than that, and we’re teammates. I would expect a little more room than what I was given.”
The early exit cost Hill valuable points and dropped him four spots in the standings to eighth.
Jesse Love responds after Kansas Speedway crash
Jesse Love addressed the incident after the race and accepted responsibility for the contact. He said both drivers were racing hard, but admitted the situation needed a different approach.
“We were both racing each other hard, whether or not we need to be doing that from how far back I came from, like maybe that’s a conversation that me and I can have.”
He also focused on the impact the crash had on his teammate’s crew.
“No matter what I feel about it, I just hate it for the 21 guys.”
Love said he planned to speak with Hill before leaving the track. He also intended to talk with team owner Richard Childress, crew chiefs Josh Wise and Scott Speed, and veteran driver Justin Allgaier.
Despite the early contact, Love recovered through the field and finished fourth. The result extended his streak without a DNF this season.
RCR looks ahead to Talladega after setback
The incident at Kansas Speedway echoed a similar moment for Richard Childress Racing at Martinsville last season. That earlier crash between teammates affected team chemistry and led to changes later on.
Now, the focus turns to the next race at Talladega Superspeedway. The track features a different style of racing, where teamwork often plays a larger role.
Hill downplayed any concern about carrying the issue forward.
“Talladega’s a total different breed than Kansas is, so, nah, we’ll be fine there,” he said.
RCR has a strong record at superspeedways, and both drivers are expected to compete for the win. Clearing the air before the next race will be important for the team.
In the Kansas race, Taylor Gray held off Sheldon Creed to take the win, continuing Creed’s strong run this season. Still, the early contact between Hill and Love remained the main focus after the race.
As the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series moves to Alabama, attention stays on how RCR handles the situation between its drivers. The outcome at Kansas showed how quickly a battle for points can change a race and impact a team.
NASCAR: Austin Hill, Jesse Love Incident at Kansas Speedway Leaves RCR With Damage