After Austin Dillon’s contentious victory, marked by aggressive maneuvers on the final lap of the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, NASCAR’s Vice President of Competition, Elton Sawyer, addressed the media regarding the overtime finish.
Sawyer remarked that Dillon’s actions were nearly on the edge of what is deemed acceptable during races, but he appreciates that such moves align with NASCAR’s tradition of being a contact sport. “The last lap showed the spirit of our sport, which has embraced contact for many years. We often discuss ‘where’s the line?’ and ‘did someone cross it?’ I would say that last lap was very close to that line,” Sawyer noted.
Dillon’s aggressive moves resulted in crashes involving Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, leading him to victory lane to claim his first trophy since the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season. This win catapults Dillon from 32nd to a secure position in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, ensuring that his tactics will be scrutinized.
Sawyer indicated that while he currently views Dillon’s actions as permissible, NASCAR will thoroughly investigate using all available resources, including video and audio footage, to assess whether Dillon crossed any boundaries.
Any potential penalties arising from this dramatic final lap will be confirmed early in the week. “We’ll review all resources, from audio to video, including communication with spotters, crew chiefs, and drivers. If we find anything that warrants a penalty, we will announce it on Tuesday,” Sawyer stated.