Austin Hill secured his second consecutive NASCAR Xfinity race victory of the season at Atlanta Motor Speedway in a thrilling finish on Saturday. The race took a dramatic turn when Hill's teammate, Jesse Love, ran out of gas on an overtime restart, allowing Hill to surge into the lead and claim the win.
Love, who led an impressive 157 laps, ultimately finished in 12th place. Hill praised Love's performance, acknowledging his teammate's strong race and leadership on the track.
The race saw several Ford drivers, including Riley Herbst, Cole Custer, Hailie Deegan, and Ryan Sieg, running out of gas in the closing laps, leading to a caution. Love opted to stay on the track during the caution, hoping to conserve enough fuel for the overtime finish. However, his Chevrolet faltered during the restart, opening the door for Hill to take the lead and secure the victory.
Hill, a Georgia native, capitalized on the opportunity and crossed the finish line first, celebrating with a spin in the grass under the fireworks. This win marked Hill's third victory in the last four Xfinity races at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Chandler Smith finished second in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, with Shane Van Gisbergen claiming the third spot. Hill's back-to-back wins at the start of the season have put him in elite company, as the last driver to achieve this feat was Tony Stewart in 2008.
Love, who had won poles in his first two Xfinity starts, showcased his potential by dominating the early stages of the race. Despite facing challenges in the final stage, Love's performance highlighted his talent and promise in the series.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will now head to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the next race on March 2, promising more exciting action and competition for fans and drivers alike.
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