NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace has weighed in on the controversial ending of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway this past Sunday, a race that has generated significant discussion among fans and analysts. Austin Dillon, driving for Richard Childress Racing, emerged victorious in the first points race after NASCAR’s two-week break, which was marked by intense competition and high stakes.
Dillon, driving the iconic #3 Chevrolet, made a daring strategic move in the race’s final moments that ultimately led to his win at Richmond. As the white flag signaled the final lap, Dillon found himself in a tight spot, running second and caught between two formidable rivals: Joey Logano of Team Penske and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing. The tension was high as all three drivers pushed toward the finish line, each aiming for the win.
In an aggressive move, Dillon decided to bump Logano’s #22 Ford, causing Logano to crash into the wall. This incident not only changed the course of the race but also sparked a wave of emotions among fans and drivers. The drama continued as Dillon, navigating the chaos, collided with Hamlin’s #11 car, which had just overtaken him during the tussle with Logano. This series of events created a dramatic conclusion to the race, highlighting Dillon’s willingness to take risks to secure the victory.
Dillon ultimately crossed the finish line first, securing a hard-fought and controversial win. The aftermath of the race has sparked debates about the ethics of aggressive driving and the fine line between competitive spirit and recklessness on the track. Wallace’s comments on the situation reflect the broader feelings within the NASCAR community, as fans and drivers debate the implications of such high-stakes maneuvers. As the dust settles from the Cook Out 400, it’s clear that Dillon’s victory will remain a topic of discussion in the weeks to come, as the sport continues to evolve and push the boundaries of racing strategy.
Former Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace discussed the dramatic final lap of the Cook Out 400. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, he said, “Austin Dillon’s actions were not right. To be honest, it was wrong, but we’ve seen Dale Sr. do similar things to Terry Labonte at Bristol, with the flying Aces backing them up… Austin had a lot on the line. He needed that win to secure his playoff spot.” [01:44]
Wallace added, “Austin Dillon did what he had to do to make the playoffs. Will he be fined? Honestly, I don’t know. They can’t penalize him without admitting NASCAR believes he did something wrong,” the 60-year-old said. [04:25]
In another development, Dillon’s RCR teammate Kyle Busch had a strong race interrupted by a pit road delay that required a re-jack to fix a wheel. Despite this setback, the former champion made headlines with a bold pit stop move. Battling through a painful wrist injury from Indy, Busch used scissors from his crew to remove his hand wraps while driving under caution.
Busch finished the Cook Out 400 in 23rd place, adding to his struggles in the 2024 season.
NASCAR’s Vice President of Competition, Elton Sawyer, recently commented on the last-lap incident involving Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, and Denny Hamlin.
In a post-race interview (via NASCAR on X), Sawyer said, “We will review all the footage and listen to the audio. Our goal is to make the right call… Our approach has always been aggressive, but we need to ensure we execute that properly.”
Dillon is under intense scrutiny from the NASCAR community due to his controversial double-contact move during the final lap of the Cook Out 400. This bold tactic not only secured his race win but also locked in a crucial playoff position.
