NASCAR News: ‘Dirty’ Dillon shocks Cup field with win in OT

Austin Dillon took the checkered flag Sunday evening at Richmond Raceway after a cheap shot contact in the final corner with both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin in NASCAR Overtime to become the 13th different winner of 2024 and clinch a spot in the Cup Series Playoffs.

AUSTIN DILLON TURNS JOEY LOGANO TO WIN AT RICHMOND! 👀 pic.twitter.com/R8FXVNrzAK

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) August 12, 2024

Leading in the final 30 laps after passing Denny Hamlin, Dillon looked like he would cruise to victory, but the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing driver watched a caution come out with two laps to go directly in front of him as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spun Ryan Preece.

Logano took the lead on the overtime restart, and Dillon charged into the final corner, spinning the No. 22 Team Penske Ford. Dillon then made contact with Hamlin off Turn 4, and the No. 3 Chevrolet was the first to the finish line to take the victory.

Despite the violent reactions, NASCAR allowed the result to stand, although vice president of competition Elton Sawyer said the association will review the race for potential penalties on Tuesday. He promised that they will look at all audio and video evidence as well as listen to the drivers, crew chiefs, and spotters to determine any need for penalties. He also agreed that “the last lap was awfully close to the line.”

It’s the fifth career win for Dillon, whose resume includes victories in the Coca-Cola 600 and Daytona 500, and his first since 2022.

Tyler Reddick, Hamlin, Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain rounded out the top five.

Martin Truex Jr., who entered Sunday’s race 13th in the playoff standings and 108 points to the elimination line, suffered an engine failure early in the Final Stage to tally a last-place result in his final full-time Cup race at Richmond.

The Cup Series will next race at Michigan International Speedway next Sunday.

Hear from @joeylogano after a wild finish at @RichmondRaceway. pic.twitter.com/icSfwhzSnu

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 12, 2024

Post-Race Quotes

Logano

“It’s a bunch of BS. Not even freaking close,” he said. “Bump-and-run, I get it, but he got in there and just drove through me. It’s ridiculous. I was three to four car-lengths ahead into (Turn 3). I even backed up the entry. I was like, ‘I’ll just wrap the bottom here, I’m good.’ And he just drives in so hard.

“Obviously, he didn’t make the turn. He hit me, and then the 11 (of Hamlin) was going to win the race, so he had no intentions to race. I beat him fair and square on the restart, and he just pulls a chickens**t move.”

Hamlin

“The problem I had is I get hooked in the right rear again,” he said. “Obviously, he’s not going to go far (in the postseason). You have to pay your dues back on stuff like that. Who am I to throw stones in a glass house, but I’ve never won one that way.”

More from a flabbergasted Denny Hamlin after Richmond: pic.twitter.com/7Iq1GPC0ry

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 12, 2024

‘Dirty’ Dillon

Q. Austin, with your season on the line, was that a fair move?

AUSTIN DILLON: I don’t know, man. It’s been two years. This is the first car I’ve had with a shot to win. I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car. Obviously had to have a straightaway. Wrecked the guy. I hate to do that, but sometimes you just got to have it.

I got to thank the good Lord above. It’s been tough for the last two years, man. I care about RCR, these fans, my wife. This is my first for my baby girl. It means a lot. I hate it, but I had to do it.

Q. You can see the emotion from you, what this means to you. What did you say to yourself going down the backstretch? What were you willing to do?

AUSTIN DILLON: Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes.

Q. What is it with you and walk-off wins? You did it at Daytona a few years ago.

AUSTIN DILLON: We just never give up. Man, we have great partners in Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops, POET, Jeff Broin. I can’t thank all the people enough that helped this team. 16 Senix Tools. Yeah, just got to get it done sometimes.

“Whatever it takes.”@austindillon3 on the closing moments at @RichmondRaceway. pic.twitter.com/LskwT8qhZD

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 12, 2024

Race Results