Cole Custer Faces Frustrating Loss to Austin Hill at Homestead-Miami but Eyes Redemption at Martinsville
At Sunday’s Homestead-Miami Speedway race, Cole Custer and Austin Hill set the stage for a high-stakes battle, showcasing their skill and tenacity as they vied for the top spot. Custer took an early lead on Lap 98, jumping from third to first and holding the position for a brief five seconds before the green flag dropped. However, Hill quickly picked up the pace, ultimately clinching victory with a 3.045-second lead over Custer. The pair swapped positions at least six times, dominating Stage 2 and leaving the rest of the field far behind, giving fans an unforgettable duel.
Although Homestead’s track favors a wall-hugging line to the checkered flag, Hill broke convention. Leading for a race-high 82 laps, he found a sweet spot on the bottom line, which allowed him to edge out Custer repeatedly. Custer, who had fought tirelessly to challenge Hill, found himself at a disadvantage in the final 12 laps, where Hill made his decisive move to secure the win. Reflecting on the turn of events, Custer said, “The second-to-last run was really good, and the last run didn’t feel that bad, but the 21 got a lot better. That was a bit surprising…they were just lights out today.”
The near-miss at Homestead leaves Custer 28 points above the Championship 4 cutline heading into Martinsville Speedway. With Hill and Allgaier having secured their spots, Custer’s runner-up finish was impressive, marking his fourth top-two at Homestead, but he’ll need to stay sharp. Martinsville’s half-mile track presents unique challenges, especially with two open spots and intense competition among drivers looking to secure a place in the Championship 4.
Despite the setback, Custer remains optimistic. “During the second-to-last run, they fell off quite a bit…but then they picked up a lot of speed the next time. We got a bit free on the long run, which was frustrating, but we’re in a solid points position. We just need a solid day at Martinsville,” he commented, emphasizing the importance of a consistent performance.
With high stakes on the line, Custer knows Martinsville will be anything but routine. “No matter what, it’s always going to be crazy…we just have to go out there, and I think being the team that we are, we will be in the fight.” Fans are eager to see if he can secure his spot in the Championship 4 and keep the title dreams alive.
