Hamlin finished fifth but was classified second due to the timing of the caution. Dillon had arrived at Richmond 32nd in the regular season, but Sunday’s win catapulted him into the playoffs and ensures he will finish the year no worse than 16th.
“We will never be taken seriously as a sport because we don’t have a proper refereeing function,” Hamlin complained in a media frenzy after the race.
“I knew the No. 3 (Dillon) was going to do something stupid in (Turn) 3. I saw him going in. He wasn’t going to stop until he hit the No. 22 (Logano).”
A product of the championship format
Hamlin continued to blame the current format, which puts winning above all else. “We try to create moments like that, and when we do that and look silly like we did tonight … then the sport is in the dirt. But I think there are probably people at Daytona (NASCAR headquarters) that love that shit, and they’re the ones that are sending this sport backwards.”
As for the move itself, Hamlin explained: “It’s clearly a foul. In NASCAR, it’s fair. We’re just a different league, right? There are no penalties for reckless driving or anything like that. This gives Austin the opportunity to just do what he wants.”
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro
Photo by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Images
While Logano’s spin was ugly, the right hook that sent Hamlin into the outside wall is even more problematic. NASCAR has set a precedent that such maneuvers can and will be penalized. Chase Elliott was suspended for one race after sending Hamlin into the outside wall at the 2023 Coke 600, and Bubba Wallace was parked for a similar maneuver against Kyle Larson the year before.
“My problem was I got hooked again on the right rear. I’m just minding my business. He turned left and hooked me on the right rear. I dislocated my damn shoulder,” Hamlin said.
Although NASCAR does not penalize reckless driving unless it becomes an obvious safety issue, Hamlin still believes a line was crossed, but added, “It’s an invisible line. It’s not defined. I mean, they have rules and regulations for things like this, but they never take action against it.”
“You see young guys stepping up in short track and seeing that, and they think that’s OK. That’s why we see some of the lower series in these green-white-checkered situations turn out like that, because some of the best they see on Sunday are doing that.
“I mean, who am I to throw stones into a glass house? But I’ve certainly never won one that way.”
Logano’s response to the incident was far less civilized. You can read it below.
