​NASCAR has closed the book on one of the most talked-about moments from last weekend’s Cup Series race at Chicagoland Speedway. Despite the on-track altercation between Austin Hill and Shane van Gisbergen that sparked widespread debate in the garage and among fans, no penalties will be imposed on either driver. The sanctioning body determined there wasn’t enough evidence to prove the contact was intentional or deserving of discipline.
With the ruling, both drivers will head into Sunday’s Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway without any points deductions, suspensions, or fines. Yet even as the penalty decision is final, the rivalry remains deeply unresolved.
The controversy began on Lap 48 at Chicagoland when van Gisbergen’s No. 97 Chevrolet made contact with Hill’s No. 33 Chevrolet while entering Turns 3 and 4. Hill spun into the outside wall, ending his afternoon. Under the ensuing caution, Hill pulled up alongside van Gisbergen and made contact with the Trackhouse Racing driver’s car, a move that immediately spurred speculation that NASCAR could levy penalties against 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 that officials conducted an extensive review before reaching that conclusion. Forde said NASCAR evaluated camera angles, in-car footage, radio communications, timing data, and earlier laps involving both drivers. Ultimately, officials determined they could not prove the Chicagoland contact met the threshold for an intentional act.
Forde noted that the evidence did not indicate the incident was “100% intentional and penalty-worthy,” adding that the available data left sufficient uncertainty for NASCAR to refrain from issuing points penalties or other sanctions. This stands in contrast to other retaliation cases this season, such as Ryan Preece’s Texas penalty, where NASCAR cited clearer evidence supporting its decision.
Even without penalties, NASCAR recognizes that the tension between Hill and van Gisbergen has been simmering for months. The rivalry dates back to the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series road course events and carried into the Cup Series this season. Their recent run-ins have included contact at Pocono Raceway, a multi-car crash at the Naval Base Coronado street race that collected both Trackhouse entries, and now last weekend’s Chicagoland incident.
Following the latest clash, Richard Childress fired a team-radio remark suggesting the contact resembled “payback for California,” a reference to the San Diego incident that eliminated both Trackhouse cars. Van Gisbergen contended that the Chicagoland contact was not intentional, while Hill refrained from accusing the New Zealander of deliberate wrecking in the pursuit of better SEO.