Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports sparked lively discussion by selecting Austin Hill as his pick to win Saturday’s Focused Health 302, the opening event of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs Round of 8 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The prediction has sparked passionate reactions among NASCAR fans, as the Austin Hill NASCAR Xfinity storyline continues to be a point of intrigue ahead of a crucial playoff race.
Pockrass’ Las Vegas Prediction Stirs Reaction
The Focused Health 302 at Las Vegas will determine the first finalist for the Championship race in Phoenix, with a 201-lap battle setting the stage. Connor Zilisch currently leads the playoff field by 57 points, having collected an impressive 10 wins in 2025 and heading into this weekend as the top favorite. Justin Allgaier, the reigning champion from JR Motorsports and Zilisch’s teammate, sits second in the points, 24 behind Zilisch, positioning the team as heavy contenders at Las Vegas.
Pockrass shared his thoughts on social media platform X:
“My pick for Vegas today: Austin Hill … top-5: Hill, Almirola, Allgaier, Zilisch, Jones.”
— Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports Reporter
Fans were quick to challenge the choice, pointing to Austin Hill’s inconsistent results lately, despite a proven track record at Las Vegas. While Hill, representing Richard Childress Racing, owns a win at this 1.5-mile track and boasts six consecutive top-10 finishes, many in the fanbase expect JR Motorsports to maintain their dominance this weekend.

Aiming for Redemption After Roval Disappointment
Austin Hill’s playoff campaign came to a disappointing close at the Charlotte Roval, where mechanical issues cut his run short. He remained a contender until Lap 50, but a significant engine failure relegated him to a 28th-place finish, just 21 points out from advancing.
The deficit mirrored a 21-point penalty handed to Hill’s No. 21 team earlier by NASCAR.
“Felt really good about our chances and then uh yeah, it was just kind of a light switch,” Hill said after the race, via Frontstretch. “It let go on me and we couldn’t get it fixed in time under the caution. I’m not pointing the finger at anyone. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me for losing the 21 bonus points in the regular season. So, we’re just going to go on to Las Vegas, Talladega, Martinsville, try to win some of those, steal the show a little bit, then go to Phoenix and do the same thing.”
— Austin Hill, NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver
Earlier in the season, his playoff hopes took another blow when he was suspended by NASCAR after on-track contact with Aric Almirola during the Indianapolis event, which stripped him of those same 21 valuable playoffs points. Nevertheless, Hill remains upbeat heading to Las Vegas, a track where he has consistently performed well. He owns an average finish of ninth in the Next Gen car and has demonstrated top-10 speed at the venue.
Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier comes into Las Vegas with strong momentum, carrying a 4.3 average finish in the Next Gen era and recently capturing the win during the spring race. His combination of experience and current form makes him a formidable favorite as the playoffs unfold.
Looking Ahead at Las Vegas and Beyond
The Las Vegas round not only offers Austin Hill a chance at redemption but represents a pivotal moment for several playoff contenders. A victory would cement a driver’s place in the Phoenix championship race, raising the stakes for everyone involved. The race is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, with fans and analysts watching closely to see if Hill can deliver on Pockrass’ bold prediction or if JR Motorsports will continue their run of success. With drivers like Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, and Aric Almirola all featuring prominently, the intensity and unpredictability of the playoffs remain firmly on display.
As the excitement builds at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, all eyes will be on Austin Hill, as well as contenders from teams like Richard Childress Racing and JR Motorsports. The outcome will shape the narrative for the season’s closing chapters and set the stage for the showdown in Phoenix.