NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon found himself at the center of controversy after the ending of the Cook Out 400 race at Richmond. This Sunday night event witnessed a contentious collision between Dillon and veteran racers Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano. But a comment from his spotter has stirred reactions from viewers. Dillon has now responded to the resulting backlash.
Following his victory in the race, which secured his spot in the playoffs, Dillon took to the Dale Jr. Download podcast to discuss the incident at length while also defending his spotter’s comments telling the driver to “wreck him” as he pushed his way into first place.
This apparent outburst was a result of emotions getting the better of him, according to the North Carolina driver. Despite the controversial message urging him to take out his rival, Dillon stressed that his focus remained on controlling the car.
“On exit of Turn 4 at Richmond the track naturally drives you to the wall when you’re running the yellow line. Denny’s on that lower line, and I have a really good kinda diamond angle at the track at this point. So, my vision is clear still, and my straightest point to the finish is about mid-track.”
The collision, as Dillon explained, was less a result of purposeful driving and more about unfortunate positioning and timing. “When he came into my view, he was carrying more speed than I am. If he clears me a little bit further, none of this happens.”
He continued:
“But what he was saying didn’t change what happened in Turns 3 and 4. I’m driving at that point for all it’s worth and he’s just keying the mic, talking. I know he’s bummed about that, but he’s had my back through a lot of the rough patches that we’ve had. I can’t fault him from being a fan at that moment.”
As the racing community awaits NASCAR’s penalty report, expected late Tuesday, Dillon anticipates repercussions but seems prepared to face them.
“I’m expecting something, obviously.”
Dillon also touched on his personal rapport with Hamlin, highlighting their off-track relationship.
“The Denny part, I hate it. Denny protected me earlier this year on his podcast when times were really tough,” he shared. “Shoot, I’m in his basketball league and I’m supposed to play him on Thursday.”
This episode at Richmond has stirred more than just playoff rankings; it has sparked a discussion on sportsmanship, competition pressure, emotional responses, and professional camaraderie in the face of fierce rivalries. We expect repercussions, but I’m glad I’m not the one making the decisions here.
The post Nascar: Austin Dillon Defends Spotter After ‘Wreck Him’ Comments appeared first on Newsweek.
