Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano were the unfortunate casualties of the accident caused by Austin Dillon. Richmond has long been a source of entertainment in NASCAR. The recent Cook 400 race was a clear example of this, with a last lap collision resulting in Dillon securing his first win of the season. However, Hamlin and Logano were left feeling furious and aggrieved, as they were the ones who suffered the most from the crash. In the aftermath, the driver from Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) shared the details of his conversation with the Ford driver.
Dillon achieved his first victory in 2017 with an impressive performance. The 34-year-old driver fought his way through the field in the initial three stages and ultimately triumphed in the final stage when it mattered most. Similarly, at Richmond, he started outside the top five but had his sights set on victory. The driver from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) made his way through the pack and held the lead heading into the final stage, only to lose his advantage on the last lap.
However, as victory slipped away from him, the No.3 driver made an aggressive move on Hamlin, ultimately causing a collision that also involved Logano. This incident reminded former drivers of similar incidents in the past. Logano and Hamlin, on the other hand, found themselves in a worse-off position and later had a conversation to discuss the issue. Hamlin revealed that his fellow competitor reached out to him, which he considered to be a kind gesture. The two drivers discussed the incident and shared their perspectives on the clash.
Although Dillon is a relatively newer driver, having made his debut in 2011, his actions at Richmond were criticized as setting a negative example for the upcoming generation of drivers. Despite this, Dillon believed that he had to give his all to win the race, even if it meant crossing certain boundaries. Hamlin, however, made it clear that if NASCAR failed to penalize Dillon, the regulatory body would be neglecting its responsibilities. On the other hand, if such actions were left unpunished, Hamlin revealed that he could take out his competitors in the final four races without facing any consequences, thus guaranteeing himself the championship.
Despite the pleas from Hamlin and Logano for a change in the outcome, NASCAR does not appear to be interested in altering the result. As a result, Dillon is almost certain to secure a spot in the playoffs and will be a contender in the round of 16.
Photo from Denny Hamlin Instagram
