“Redemption” is the word that’s been thrown around to describe Austin Dillon‘s win in Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. It’s hard not to see it that way, seeing the way last year’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond ended.
Dillon won, but only after wrecking both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap of overtime. NASCAR allowed him to keep the win but stripped him of his playoff eligibility. There was no controversy this time around. Dillon was dominant at the end and is officially back in the postseason. Redemption might have been the word for many but not for Richard Childress, Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports said on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast.
“Even Richard Childress was trying not to think about last year. They don’t view it as redemption and partly because they had a two or three-second lead when that caution came out last year,” Pockrass said. “… I don’t know if you could do anything that would provide them the feeling of redemption of what happened last year. Think Austin’s been able to move on a little easier than Richard.
“I would say no matter what you think about Austin Dillon, to see someone who’s had a rough year — they were 28th in points going into that race — but he finished top 15 in the last couple coming in, so they were showing a little more speed. But to go out and do that and win a race, I think it’s hard to say he didn’t deserve to win. You can argue playoffs or whatever.”
Austin Dillon repeats at Richmond
Dillon controlled the race throughout Stage 3 after passing Ryan Blaney and then getting the jump on him on tire strategy. He led 107 laps total, the first time the No. 3 car has led 100 plus laps in a Cup race since the 1998 Daytona 500 (Dale Earnhardt). Dillon, who entered Richmond 28th in the points standings, can finally celebrate the fact that he’s playoff bound.
“Man, that feels good,” Dillon said after the race. “Got to thank the Good Lord above. I really wanted that one. Last year, hurt really bad. Just going through the whole process of it. But this one feels so sweet. Man, I love Richmond. I was thrown down a lot this week. Didn’t feel great. I’m actually racing with a broken rib right now for the last two weeks, and man, that was awesome.
“God has timing, and his timing is the best timing. I’m so excited to get my wife and kids here to celebrate with us. Man, it’s so sweet.”
