Richard Childress has shared his thoughts on Austin Dillon’s contentious victory at Richmond Raceway. When asked about the comments made by Dillon’s spotter, Brandon Benesch, who suggested “wreck him” during the final lap, Childress chose not to endorse such tactics but later acknowledged the spotter’s contributions positively.
During NASCAR’s 23rd Cup Series weekend, Dillon was in a strong position, leading the field at the first overtime restart on Lap 407. However, Joey Logano seized the lead before the final lap and held it until the last corner. In a dramatic turn, Dillon made a bold move for the win, resulting in a collision with Logano, who drives for Team Penske. Dillon also made contact with Denny Hamlin, but the Joe Gibbs Racing driver managed to avoid disaster and secured a second-place finish.
After Dillon celebrated his victory, a radio exchange surfaced where Benesch urged, “Wreck him (Logano).” In the post-race press conference, Childress was asked about this exchange. He responded, “I didn’t hear anything like that on our radio. If someone claims they did, they must be mistaken. I didn’t catch it on either of our channels. And if you believe everything you read online, then I’m not Santa Claus,” he stated, as reported by Noah Lewis on X.
After initially dismissing the idea three times, the team owner ultimately acknowledged that if Austin Dillon was instructed to “wreck” Logano, then the spotter executed their role effectively, leading to a race victory (as reported by Kelly Crandall on X).
As of now, no penalties have been issued, but Elton Sawyer has not completely ruled out the chance of repercussions, with Austin Dillon potentially facing a sanction on Tuesday.
Austin Dillon reflects on the integrity of his first Cup Series win, stating, “I hate to do that.” The RCR driver faced a challenging start to the season, grappling with the team’s ineffective strategies. His teammate, Kyle Busch, encountered similar difficulties, lacking consistent support for the first several race weekends. Dillon last celebrated a victory in 2022 at Daytona International Speedway and had been eager to break his winless streak. With three top-10 finishes this season but no top-5s, the #3 Chevy driver found himself outside the Playoff Picture, far from the cutline. However, a pivotal moment arrived during the first overtime when he was just a lap away from victory at the 0.750-mile oval. Unfortunately for him, Joey Logano was poised to claim his second win of the season. In a dramatic turn, Dillon collided with the #22 Ford and the #11 Toyota, ultimately clinching the win.
When questioned about the fairness of his maneuver during the race, the RCR driver, Austin Dillon, provided a candid response through NASCAR. He stated, “Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s been two years since I last won a race, and this is the first car that’s given me a real chance to compete at this level again. With just two laps remaining, we clearly had the speed on the straightaway, but in the heat of the moment, I ended up taking the other guy out. I really dislike doing that, but sometimes you have to do what it takes to secure a victory.”
Dillon’s comments reflect the intense pressure and high stakes that drivers face in the NASCAR circuit, especially as the playoffs approach. His recent performance has been a significant boost for him, as he has successfully secured his spot in the playoffs, a goal that many drivers strive for throughout the season. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given his two-year drought without a win, which can weigh heavily on a driver’s confidence and career trajectory.
On the other hand, his teammate, Kyle Busch, is experiencing a contrasting situation. Despite his talent and experience, Busch is finding it tough to advance in the playoffs. This disparity in their fortunes highlights the unpredictable nature of racing, where one driver can find themselves in the right place at the right time, while another struggles to gain the necessary momentum. As the season progresses, the dynamics between teammates and competitors will continue to evolve, making every race a critical opportunity for both Dillon and Busch to showcase their skills and strategies on the track.
