Dale Earnhardt Jr. fires back at narrative that Austin Hill is better than him, Dale Sr. on superspeedways

When it comes to the Xfinity Series in 2025, Austin Hill is the undisputed drafting king. But does Hill match-up to greats such as Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

The numbers would suggest he’s surpassed them. Hill’s victory in this past Saturday’s Bennett Transportation & Logistics 250 at Atlanta was his eighth on a superspeedway, tying him for the most in Xfinity history with Earnhardt Sr. and Tony Stewart. Hill has now led 734 laps at drafting tracks, passing Earnhardt Jr. (691) for the most all-time.

Earnhardt has seen the numbers. He’s heard the chatter on social media. But does he actually believe Hill is a better superspeedway racer than he was? Context is required in answering that question, he said on this week’s “Dale Jr. Download.”

“There’s a lot of chatter on social media about Austin Hill leading more laps than me and dad and all that stuff at the drafting tracks. Somebody makes a great point — yes, me and dad didn’t run at Atlanta and dad didn’t have Talladega either. But this kid Austin Hill’s done it in a shorter amount of races. So, I ran 30 something races, and he’s done in 20 something. So, I ain’t taking nothing away from him,” Earnhardt said. “He has the right mentality that makes a great racer in that style of racing, he just does. He doesn’t think about it, he just keeps his foot on the damn gas, and he just does.

“With that said, he has the fastest car and he’s great at taking advantage of that and winning races with it. Richard Childress Racing should be commended for how good their cars are in the Xfinity Series at Daytona and Talladega.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Austin Hill: ‘He’s hard to pass’

Hill and RCR have been the perfect marriage at superspeedways. Only 30, Hill has plenty of opportunities to add to his tally should a full-time Cup Series ride never materialize.

As long as Hill is around in Xfinity, Earnhardt knows he’s going to be the driver to beat at Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta.

“I tell our guys every time that we go to those races that if you push that 21 [Hill] into the lead, you’re signing up to run second,” Earnhardt said. “I don’t tell them to take him out, but if they’re in a situation where they get to choose to push the 21 into the lead or a different car, my gut would tell me not to push the 21 into the lead because he’s hard to pass once he gets it.

“He’s very smart, controls the lanes, has a great racecar that not many people get runs on him. And you’re making it easier for him when you push him out there and give him the lead.”