By Logan Morris
The NASCAR world was set ablaze Sunday night by Austin Dillon and how he won the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Plenty of debate has ensued. Some have called it a moment where a line has been crossed and if NASCAR doesn’t deliver a swift penalty to Austin Dillon and the rest of the 3 team they’re setting a dangerous precedent that we can’t come back from. Others have said Dillon did what he had to do and people like Dale Earnhardt would have done the same thing if he had to. I’m in the camp that believes Austin Dillon did what he had to do.
I understand all the arguments for safety and how dangerous it was. I’m not opposed to some sort of penalty. But, the win must stand. Not only should the win stand, but he should also not lose his playoff spot. The reality is NASCAR set themselves up for moments like this by creating the “win and you’re in” playoff system. How can we fault a desperate driver for taking advantage of that? How can the “anything can happen” element be played up by NASCAR, media, and fans alike and then Austin Dillon be punished for living up to that billing? The safety concern is without question the biggest factor in all things and rightfully so. But there’s a difference between doing what you have to do and being intentionally dangerous.
Here in America, football is king. The players are punished when they are found to have done something egregious and unnecessary. Other than that, it’s a full-contact sport where no one is trying to harm each other. But the danger is always there. Maybe you define what Austin Dillon did as egregious and unnecessary. I would argue that a driver in his spot was just doing all he could to win. When I say “his spot” I’m referring to a very particular set of circumstances.
Dillon hadn’t won in 68 races. He’s driving for Richard Childress Racing, an organization that has undeniably struggled since the second half of last season, and you can make a great argument they’ve struggled for a lot longer than that. Dillon also has people breathing down on his neck with plenty of rumblings that he doesn’t deserve his ride. We know that RCR has Austin Hill waiting in the wings. When you add up all these circumstances, it’s clear we shouldn’t fault Austin Dillon. Who could fault him when he was sitting 32nd in the standings? Who in similar circumstances wouldn’t do the same? Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano may say they wouldn’t do the same, and they probably wouldn’t. But their down years are still years that half the field would call a great season. Even during years when they aren’t championship contenders, the team they drive for is always in contention. You can’t say the same about RCR. They likely will never be in that type of spot. It’s not just the playoffs, it’s where Dillon is at in his career.
Another factor that isn’t being discussed is that Dillon has his crew to think about. These drivers have a team of people doing all they can for them week-in and week-out for 38 weeks a year. The driver owes it to his team to do all he can to win at all costs. Why don’t we want drivers to do everything they can to win? Isn’t that why drivers show up? To try and win?
I know right-hooking Denny Hamlin is dangerous. But, let's not forget, this took place at Richmond Raceway. The danger level is a lot lower on short tracks. Had this happened at a high-speed track I’d probably feel differently. But it didn’t. It’s also worth noting that until the final two laps Austin Dillon drove arguably the best race of his career. To call him an undeserving winner is a stretch. He did deserve to win. I don’t want drivers to win this way regularly. I’d prefer not at all. But when a season-changing moment is on the verge of slipping away at the tail-end of the regular season, how do you let it slip away without doing all you can? You can’t.
At the end of the day, NASCAR created this system, and as long as this system is in place you will have moments similar to this. NASCAR can hand out a fine and perhaps dock some points in the hope of curbing something like this going forward. But anything beyond that is hypocritical on NASCAR’s part. NASCAR was built on moments like this. Drivers doing whatever it took to win. That’s what Austin Dillon did. Until the system changes, he did what he had to do. If you disagree with that, your issue shouldn’t be with him. It should be with NASCAR.
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