When NASCAR drivers land in hot water, the consequences are typically serious. Recently in Martinsville, Austin Dillon was one of three drivers penalized for slowing down to give their OEM playoff teammates a better shot at the Championship 4. This highlights NASCAR’s decreasing tolerance for overly aggressive driving.
Consider Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s famous “bump-and-run” against Terry Labonte on the last lap in a 1999 Bristol race. Back then, NASCAR didn’t react, and Earnhardt’s move became legendary. Likewise, Denny Hamlin’s nudge of Kyle Larson for the win at Pocono in 2023 went unpunished. However, NASCAR’s increasing scrutiny has stirred controversy among insiders.
Dillon’s bold moves in Richmond during the Cook Out 400 thrilled fans, with one exclaiming, “He’s back!” when Dillon, driving Earnhardt’s iconic No. 3 car, spun out Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in the final lap to claim victory. But NASCAR wasn’t as excited. While he kept the win, Dillon lost playoff eligibility and was docked 25 driver and owner points.
In a similar case at the Xfinity Series championship finale in Phoenix, Stefan Parsons made contact with Anthony Alfredo, who retaliated by hitting Parsons’ car into the wall. NASCAR gave Alfredo a two-lap penalty, but spotter Brett Griffin, on the podcast ‘Door, Bumper, Clear,’ criticized the penalty, feeling NASCAR has taken away the “boys have at it” spirit that used to define the sport. Griffin, in support of Dillon, added, “‘Win at all costs’ is dead. Dillon did just that and paid for it, keeping his win but losing a playoff spot. NASCAR insists they’re enforcing more rules, suspending nine people last week alone.”
As a Fox Sports broadcaster, Clint Bowyer—once a Cup Series driver for Stewart-Haas Racing—had a memorable year in 2018. At Martinsville Speedway, he ended a 190-race winless streak, leading 215 laps and holding off Kyle Busch to win. Bowyer celebrated in style, beginning his burnout at Turn 3. His spotter, Brett Griffin, credited teamwork for their success, saying, “Winning is everything. These wins matter to the crew and families who support us.”
Griffin’s passion for the sport and desire for fair racing make NASCAR’s growing list of penalties frustrating. While he doesn’t endorse dangerous aggression, he believes drivers should be allowed some freedom to race hard.
