With tempers often running high during a NASCAR race, finger-pointing and the blame games are something that often happens. However, after an incident involving Trackhouse's Connor Zilisch and Richard Childress Racing's Austin Hill, the latter took full responsibility.

The Trackhouse Racing Chevrolets of SVG and Zilisch were super quick on race day. However, their day ended prematurely after a crash induced by Hill on a lap 32 restart. The RCR driver missed Turn 1 and ended up sending Zilisch into the barriers. SVG, who was closely trailing them, got caught in the wreck.

While talking to the media post-race, Connor Zilish deemed the incident unfortunate. A reporter told him that Hill mentioned in another interview about his tires locking up, which led to the incident.

Though Zilisch previously mentioned that the incident was "egregious," he wasn't angry with Hill.

"I believe him," the 19-year-old Trackhouse driver gracefully replied.

After being checked and released from the medical center, Austin Hill apologized to Connor Zilisch and his No. 88 squad.

"I guess I just carried a little too much pace (into Turn 1) than I've been doing all day," explained Hill. "And just right when I touched him, he got in the wall and kind of sucked me into him, just couldn’t stay off. Hate it for the 88 team, hate it for Connor. Apologize to those guys on the 88 team."

Before the crash, Zilisch led eight laps of the race for the first time this season. Unfortunately, he left San Diego with his sixth DNF of 2026.

Shane van Gibsbergen felt "filthy" after getting caught up in NASCAR wreck

The No. 97 Trackhouse Racing driver was the other car involved in the crash. Gisbergen, unlike his teammate, refused to comment on the incident and kept his responses very brief when questioned by the media.

When asked about the incident, he said, "Ask some next guys."

When further asked about how disappointed he felt with the result, SVG replied:

"I'm filthy." 

However, luckily for Gisbergen, the upcoming race at Sonoma is a road course where he could potentially get his redemption. 

"Luckily, we got a good one next week," he said looking forward. "But unfortunately, we'll be in Group 1 (qualifying) again, which makes it tougher. Just gotta go and execute." 

With Austin Hill’s apology closing the chapter on a disappointing outing at San Diego for Trackhouse Racing, the team will now look forward to regrouping for the upcoming NASCAR Cup race at Sonoma. 

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak