Mother Nature Leads Austin Hill to NASCAR K&N Pro Series Victory Lane In Richmond

William Byron set the pace early by leading practice before being cancelled for rain, but was awarded the pole position because NASCAR officials set the field based on point standings

Everyone’s attention was spread between the track and the weather radar for the UNOH 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway. With Mother Nature leering over the track, drivers prepared themselves for the second to last race for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship.

William Byron led the field to green but Austin Hill had a different plan in mind after he took over the lead mid-way through the race in the No. 22 A&D Welding / Don Rich Ford

Current championship points leader William Byron set the pace early in the day by leading practice in his Liberty University Chevrolet. The HScott Motorsports driver had the opportunity to clinch the championship over team mate Scott Heckert if he could finish so many positions ahead of him.

Mid-way through the qualifying session, with Scott Heckert sitting atop the board and William Byron 11th, rain found its way to the track. Officials cancelled the rest of qualifying and set the field based on point standings leading into the UNOH 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway.

The UNOH 100 NASCAR race came to an early finish due to weather conditions, which allowed Austin Hill and his team into Victory Lane for their second win of the 2015 K&N East season

William Byron led the field to green but Austin Hill had a different plan after he took over the lead mid-way through the race in the No. 22 A&D Welding/Don Rich Ford. The race came to an early finish on lap 70 due to weather conditions, which allowed Austin Hill and his team into Victory Lane for their second win of the 2015 season. Despite his win, Austin Hill, a member of the NASCAR Next program, remains third in the points chase going into the final race.

Notable Mentions in the UNOH 100 includes NASCAR K&N Pro Series West points leader Noah Gragson who started 33rd because of rain and drove the No. 55 Alert ID Toyota to 10th

Dillion Bassett was the runner up in the UNOH 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway behind the wheel of the No. 44 Bassett Gutters Ford. Another NASCAR Next member, Dalton Sargeant, drove the No. 51 Galt Chevrolet to a third place finish, while Scott Heckert and Spencer Davis round out the top five.

After starting on the pole, and leading 22 laps, William Byron finished sixth. Byron remains in the championship points lead heading into the final race at Dover International Raceway on October 2. Byron his holding onto first place with just 13-points over Scott Heckert and 14 over Austin Hill.

Notable Mentions in the UNOH 100 includes NASCAR K&N Pro Series West points leader Noah Gragson who started 33rd after qualifying was rained out. Gragson drove the No. 55 Alert ID Toyota to a 10th place finish. NASCAR Whelen Modifed Tour Championship Points Leader Ryan Preece made his debut in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East starting 35th and went on to finish 14th.

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Championship will be decided at the final race at Dover International Raceway October 2, 2015 in the Drive Sober 125.

Story Author Hannah Newhouse

Hannah is an 18-year old sophomore at Boise State University in search of her marketing degree. Along with a full-time college schedule, she competes in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and traveling super late model series. If not behind the wheel of a car, Hannah plans to make her career in the field of marketing and public relations for the world of motorsports.