NASCAR Won’t Punish Austin Hill or Shane van Gisbergen After Heated Clash

NASCAR has officially closed the book on one of the most talked-about incidents from last weekend’s Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway.

Despite the on-track clash between Austin Hill and Shane van Gisbergen that ignited debate across the garage and among fans, neither driver will face penalties from NASCAR. The sanctioning body determined there was not enough evidence to conclude the contact was intentional or deserving of disciplinary action.

The ruling means both drivers head into Sunday’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway without any points deductions, suspensions, or fines. But while the penalty report is complete, the rivalry is anything but.

NASCAR explains why no penalties were issued

The controversy began on Lap 48 at Chicagoland when van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Chevrolet made contact with Hill’s No. 33 Chevrolet entering Turns 3 and 4.

Hill spun into the outside wall, ending his afternoon. Under the ensuing caution, Hill drove alongside van Gisbergen and made contact with the Trackhouse Racing driver’s car, a move that immediately fueled speculation that NASCAR could hand down penalties to one or both competitors.

Instead, Tuesday’s penalty report listed no disciplinary action.

During NASCAR’s “Hauler Talk” podcast, Vice President of Racing Communications Mike Forde explained officials conducted an extensive review before reaching that conclusion.

According to Forde, NASCAR examined camera angles, in-car footage, radio communications, timing data and previous laps involving both drivers. Officials ultimately determined they could not prove the Chicagoland contact met the threshold for an intentional act.

Forde said officials found nothing that indicated the incident was “100% intentional and penalty-worthy,” noting the available evidence left enough uncertainty that NASCAR chose not to issue points penalties or other sanctions.

That differs from previous retaliation cases this season, including Ryan Preece’s penalty at Texas, where NASCAR cited clearer evidence supporting its decision.

The rivalry isn’t going away

Even without penalties, NASCAR recognizes the tension between Hill and van Gisbergen has been building for months.

The rivalry stretches back to the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series road course events before carrying into the Cup Series this season. Their recent run-ins have included contact at Pocono Raceway, the multi-car crash at the Naval Base Coronado street race that collected both Trackhouse entries, and now last weekend’s incident at Chicagoland.

Following the latest clash, Richard Childress said over team radio that the contact looked like “payback for California,” referencing the San Diego incident that eliminated both Trackhouse cars.

Van Gisbergen, meanwhile, maintained the Chicagoland contact was not intentional, while Hill stopped short of accusing the New Zealander of deliberately wrecking him.

Although NASCAR determined the evidence did not justify penalties, officials are not simply moving on.

Forde confirmed the sanctioning body plans to meet with Hill, van Gisbergen and two other drivers this weekend at EchoPark Speedway. He emphasized the meetings are intended to prevent tensions from escalating rather than serve as disciplinary hearings.

That makes Sunday’s race especially intriguing.

On a drafting-style intermediate track where aggressive racing often produces close finishes, two of NASCAR’s hottest competitors will return to the same racetrack without any official punishment, but with plenty of unfinished business.