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Austin Hill Wins Chaotic Xfinity Series Race at Watkins Glen, Amidst Late-Race Wrecks
Watkins Glen, NY – Austin Hill secured a dramatic victory in the NASCAR Xfinity Series shriners Children’s 200 at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, benefiting from late-race incidents that reshaped the running order. The race, plagued by multiple cautions and a significant multi-car pileup, concluded under a yellow flag after a final wreck involving championship contender Shane van Gisbergen.
The race’s final lap saw a massive wreck erupt, triggered by contact between Connor Zilisch and his Kaulig Racing teammate, Shane van Gisbergen, while battling for the lead. The incident involved multiple cars and completely blocked the track, necessitating a race-ending caution. Prior to the final-lap chaos, Austin Hill had been steadily closing the gap to the leaders, capitalizing on the attrition ahead.
Van gisbergen, who started from the pole position after qualifying at 114.888 mph, had led a significant portion of the 82-lap race. The new Zealand native,making onyl his second start on a road course in the Xfinity Series,demonstrated impressive speed and control throughout the event. Zilisch,in his seventh Xfinity Series start,was attempting to score his first career win.
The race featured a total of eight cautions for 33 laps, considerably extending the race duration. Notable drivers involved in incidents included Jeb Burton and Bayley Currey, who were collected in the final-lap wreck. The Watkins Glen International road course, a 2.45-mile layout with seven turns, historically produces unpredictable races, and Saturday’s event proved no exception.
The Shriners Children’s 200 was the 11th race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. the series is scheduled to continue next weekend at Kentucky Motor Speedway.
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