The aftermath of last weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway is still making waves. Austin Dillon faced significant backlash for colliding with both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in rapid succession, and it was certainly warranted. Although he was allowed to claim the victory, it didn’t count towards the Playoffs, meaning he would need to secure another win the right way. In this context, Michael McDowell recently shared his perspective on the late-race chaos. He actually came to Dillon’s defense, describing his actions as unintentional. McDowell argued that the incident stemmed from the high stakes of racing, fueled by adrenaline and a sense of urgency. Unfortunately for Dillon, NASCAR was unforgiving in their punishment. McDowell expressed empathy for the Richard Childress Racing driver, recalling his own experiences. After all, it was the final lap and the last corner, prompting Dillon to take a bold risk in pursuit of victory. Given Richard Childress Racing’s recent struggles, this was a prime opportunity for Dillon. Who knows when he might find himself in a similar position again? Especially if it meant a shot at the Playoffs, it’s hard to fault him for taking such a daring move. Dillon had everything on the line, and he went all in with that audacious dive on the inside of race leader Joey Logano.
Michael McDowell expressed his understanding of Austin Dillon’s situation.
McDowell, like Dillon, is a driver who doesn’t typically find himself in a position to contend for victories. However, if the opportunity arose, he would fiercely pursue it, no matter the challenges. Dillon shared this mindset, especially on that particular day when he was racing at an impressive speed, believing he had a legitimate shot at victory, with only Logano and Hamlin standing in his way.
Before the Michigan race, McDowell commented, “These situations can unfold quickly and often without much forethought. It’s all about that instinctive drive to cross the finish line ahead of your competitor. Sometimes, it’s beneficial to have a bit of distance to assess the situation—analyzing data, reviewing footage, and making informed decisions. This sport is about making significant choices, and while I wouldn’t say there’s a definitive line drawn, these moments will be discussed and remembered down the line. They could establish new standards for what’s permissible. It’s crucial not to rush into conclusions. Overall, I think the outcome was appropriate; I didn’t expect them to strip the win away since that’s not their usual practice. Evaluating the situation and saying, ‘That crossed the line,’ and then making adjustments seemed reasonable to me.”
McDowell acknowledged that stripping the victory would have been excessive. Even if you disregard the incidents in the final corner, it remains clear that the #3 driver put in significant effort to secure the win. Now that the race is behind them, Dillon will need to regroup and aim for a clean shot at a Cup victory and a spot in the Playoffs.
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Michael McDowell faced his own challenges. While attempting to dive inside, he lost control and collided with an unsuspecting Ryan Blaney, sending both cars spinning. To McDowell’s credit, all drivers were on wet-weather tires in tricky conditions, which contributed to his Mustang losing grip, while Blaney’s #12 Team Penske car ended up acting as an unintended brake.
Compounding the situation, both drivers were vying for second place behind Christopher Bell. While they managed to stay on the lead lap, neither finished in the top 10. Blaney later expressed that he appreciated McDowell’s apology, but it did little to alleviate the impact of the incident. The reigning Cup Series champion even labeled McDowell’s overtaking attempt as ‘a low-percentage move.’
Michael McDowell, on his part, admitted that his focus was on qualifying for the Playoffs, which drove him to make that last-ditch effort. During their private conversation about the incident, McDowell emphasized that he felt he was in a critical situation. Noticing that the bottom lane was slower, he opted for the middle lane, leaving him disappointed for not only jeopardizing his own chances but also Blaney’s.
