Following Austin Dillon’s controversial victory in the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, where he made aggressive maneuvers on the final lap, Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Vice President of Competition, addressed the media regarding the overtime finish.
Sawyer indicated that while Dillon’s actions were on the brink of being unacceptable, they reflected the competitive spirit and history of NASCAR as a contact sport. “The last lap was very close to the line. Our sport has been a contact sport for a long time, and we often hear questions about where the line is and if someone has crossed it,” he said.
Dillon’s victory came after he collided with both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin during the final lap, leading him to his first win since the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. This win propelled Dillon from 32nd to a secure position in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, further intensifying scrutiny of his last-lap actions.
Sawyer confirmed that although the moves currently seem legal, NASCAR will review all relevant footage and communications to assess whether any rules were violated. Any potential penalties arising from this incident are expected to be announced early in the week. “We will evaluate all available resources, including audio and video. We’ll be in touch with spotters, crew chiefs, and drivers. If we determine any actions warrant penalties, we’ll do that on Tuesday,” Sawyer added.