Second driver named Austin Hill announces limited NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule

There might be some confusion in the Xfinity Series at a couple dates this season, as there will be two drivers named Austin Hill competing at three race.

Of course, Austin Hill of Richard Childress Racing has been a mainstay in the Xfinity Series over the past couple of seasons, elevating to become one of the top wheelmen on the circuit. He won last weekend’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, bringing the 30-year old’s total to 11 career victories.

Now, 17-year old Austin Hill, who’s cut his teeth in places like the Trans-Am Series, will be joining the fray, as well. He’ll compete for Joey Gase Motorsports at three dates in the Xfinity Series — Watkins Glen, Portland and the Charlotte ROVAL.

It’s a tremendous opportunity for the young man, but it also created an ironic situation that has many wondering how NASCAR will approach it. Two drivers with the same name is far from a common occurrence, and it’ll be fascinating to see how the sport and broadcast team differentiates the two.

At least they’ll have plenty of time to figure it out. The 17-year old Austin Hill won’t be taking his talents to the Xfinity Series until August, so there’s a couple of months to avoid any potential mix up. Maybe he’ll add a middle name or middle initial, at the least.

More on the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series

While a second Austin Hill won’t be joining the Xfinity Series until this summer, some star power will be added to the circuit this weekend at COTA. Carson Hocevar will be suiting up for SS-Green Light Racing, marking a rare Xfinity start for Hocevar, who made headlines this past weekend for his aggressive racing in the Cup Series.

As a driver who went from the Truck Series to the Cup Series, the 22-year-old Hocevar doesn’t have many Xfinity starts to his name. This will be just his sixth start in the series, he has two top tens in his five previous races. 

SS-Green Light Racing made the decision to make a driver swap. Garrett Smithley is in the car full-time this year but will step back to let Hocevar handle the tricky road course in Texas. 

All told, Carson Hocevar will be on the track a lot this weekend. While he caused tensions this week, he has a real chance to upset folks at COTA. We’ve seen a lot of spins and a lot of beating and banging at the track in recent years.

— On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this article.