Austin Dillon won in controversial fashion Sunday night at Richmond Raceway.
The Richard Childress Racing driver knew a win was the only way for the No. 3 to make the playoffs, so he took advantage of the situation by spinning Joey Logano and pinning Denny Hamlin as he approached the start-finish line . This does not mean that everyone is happy. Along with many other drivers and fans, Logano and Hamlin argued that Dillon faces consequences for his victory and there was even talk of stripping him of the victory at Richmond.
Dillon shared his thoughts on the subject with the media after the race. Dillon called out what seemed like a double standard, saying, “I’ve seen Denny and Joey make moves that, you know, move people around the track to win,” according to Sportsnaut’s Matt Weaver. “I drove there and I kept all four tires spinning at the start and finish line; it was my first chance to win in the last two years.
“It’s just part of our sport, you know? I’ve seen a lot of things in NASCAR over the years where people move people. Remember that time, Joey said, when I knew what short track racing was. In your country, how do you react? Even though Dillon drives the No. 3, it’s ironic that NASCAR has celebrated events like Dillon’s victory before. Dale Earnhardt Sr. it is perhaps best known for wrecking riders as they approach the finish line.
Elton Sawyer, a NASCAR executive, is now in a difficult situation. For a long time, our sport has been a contact sport. “Where’s the line?” Did someone cross the line? is a common question we hear. According to Sawyer, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, “I’d say the last time was awful near the line. We’ll look at all available sources, from audio to video, we’ll listen to the spotters, we’ll listen to the crew chiefs and the drivers, and if something rises to a level that we think should be penalized, we will do it on Tuesday.
“As we usually do in a situation like this, we will review all available resources, review the audio, video and SMT data and make a decision on Tuesday.” Although Sawyer noted that “historically it has not been our DNA to remove the races, this does not mean that in the future it will not begin to set a precedent, we have to think about it”, Dillon’s fans can still be unhappy Unfortunately, Austin Dillon was the first to win, although he didn’t take Richmond lightly. Although he may be a little difficult to defend, it may be too much to ask to take the win from him, and it would be surprising if NASCAR did it.
