Austin Dillon crashed two cars into the wall in quick succession because he was desperate to win for the first time in almost two years and felt that the race was quickly going away.
The end result was a triumph that changed the course of the season, a mountain of controversy, and at least two very angry experienced drivers. Dillon remarked, “I hate to do that, but sometimes you just got to have it.”
Sunday night at Richmond, Dillon raced and banged his way to victory, sending Joey Logano spinning on the last lap to win in overtime. It was his first victory at Daytona since August 28, 2022. His only top ten results this year came from starting 32nd in the standings going into the race. He didn’t get to the playoffs gently, but he’s on track now.
#NASCAR Video: WHAT IN THE WORLD?!?! Austin Dillon turned Joey Logano from the lead on the final lap, and then swiped hard left into Denny Hamlin to send Hamlin into the outside wall. After the 2 incidents, Dillon scored his first win since 2022:https://t.co/yavCKMhwvG
— TobyChristie.com (@TobyChristieCom) August 12, 2024
Aside from the scheduled cautions following the conclusion of the first two stages, this was the first caution of the 400-lap, 300-mile race, and Dillon looked to be coasting to victory until he crashed with Ryan Preece and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The drivers headed into overtime, and it was evident that Logano outperformed Dillon on the restart.
“It’s ridiculous that that’s the way we race. Unbelievable,” said Logano. “But from four car lengths back, he was never going to make the corner. And then he wrecks the other car. He wrecks the 11 to go with it. What a piece of crap.”
The 11 was Denny Hamlin, who looked to be moving past Dillon on the inside after Dillon bumped Logano’s No. 22 car. Then Dillon hit the back right part of Hamlin’s car and put him into the wall as well.
“Obviously, he’s not going to go far, but he’s going to be credited with a win,” Hamlin stated. You have to make amends for things like that. However, it’s worthwhile because they gain 20 points by jumping 20 spots. I therefore get all of it. Nothing bad is intended there. I understand.
I really detest being a part of it. If I hadn’t been one of the two guys eliminated on the final turn, it would have been enjoyable.
Dillon triumphed in his No. 3 Chevrolet after all the commotion. Dale Earnhardt was known for driving that number, frequently in an aggressive manner.
However, since Earnhardt’s peak, things have changed, and senior vice president of competition for NASCAR Elton Sawyer stated that the conclusion of this race would be examined.
That’s getting dangerously close to crossing the line, in Sawyer’s opinion. But to actually give up the win would be a remarkable move.
“It hasn’t been in our DNA historically to take away people of color, but that doesn’t mean that going forward, this wouldn’t start to set a precedent,” Sawyer stated. “We would need to examine it.”
With 29 laps remaining, Dillon overtook Hamlin for the lead and looked to be heading for a far less contentious victory.
However, Dillon was then in risk of suffering a heartbreaking loss following the Stenhouse-Preece collision and restart.
Although Dillon claimed he was attempting to move Logano’s vehicle, striking Hamlin was more of a spontaneous outburst. Dillon stated, “I’ve seen moves from Denny and Joey that have been running people up the track to win.”
“This was my first chance to win in two years,” the speaker said. It’s simply a part of our sport, but throughout the years, I’ve witnessed a lot of things in NASCAR where people move people.
Dillon’s grandpa, owner Richard Childress, voiced a similar opinion. Concerning potential audio of Dillon being instructed to destroy another driver during the hectic finish, Childress was also questioned.
“I was on the radio with him, and I didn’t hear him. We’ll see,” said Childress. If he succeeded, he did so admirably. The race was won by him.
Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Hamlin came in order of finish. Dillon’s triumph proved unfavorable to Wallace and the other drivers who are in contention for the postseason.
Wallace commented, “Nice to walk out of here with a top-five finish.”
“We still have a ways to go. All we can do is keep fighting. You could probably just rear someone and dump them and be fine. Funny how that operates.
The first stage was won by Christopher Bell, who finished sixth after being fined for speeding on pit road. The second stage was won by Daniel Suárez.
Early in the last stage, engine problems eliminated Martin Truex Jr. from the race. In the standings, he is still the leading driver without a win.
