NASCAR must enforce new standards after Austin Dillon’s actions at Richmond

NASCAR must enforce new standards after Austin Dillon’s actions at Richmond. What should NASCAR change moving forward?

[autotag]Austin Dillon[/autotag] needed a win to make the 2024 NASCAR playoffs, and after a caution with two laps to go at Richmond Raceway, he was in a position to do whatever it took. Dillon had a bad restart, promptly dumped Joey Logano in Turn 3, and made contact with Denny Hamlin exiting Turn 4. All of this led to Dillon winning and securing a spot in the playoffs.

However, NASCAR must enforce new standards moving forward. What Dillon did on Sunday night is legal under NASCAR’s rulebook. The driver of the No. 3 car dumped Logano and took out Hamlin in the process of avoiding him. The sport will review Dillon’s contact with Hamlin, but it’s hard to determine if it was intentional as he avoided a spinning Logano.

NASCAR missed the opportunity to give Dillon a “rough driving” penalty like it has done with others in the past, and it’s something that should be implemented moving forward. There is a difference between a bump-n-run, making contact with the leader, and straight-up dumping another competitor. Dillon knew he wasn’t going to make Turn 3 with Logano.

If Layne Riggs, Justin Haley, and Carson Hocevar can all be held two laps for reckless driving, why should the land be lawless on the final lap? Dillon clearly had zero intentions of racing Logano for the win, but it was his only opportunity. Dillon simply took advantage of the situation. This incident can easily be linked to the playoffs, as it’s a “Win and you’re in” mentality.

Did Dillon cross the line on Sunday night? It sure looks like it, based on the eye test. Should NASCAR do anything midweek if it doesn’t find that Dillon intentionally right-rear-hooked Hamlin? Nope. NASCAR must draw a line in the sand and set a new policy. Making contact with intentions of racing is one thing, but simply dumping the leader while driving recklessly should be a no-no moving forward.

Also, Dillon wasn’t giving Logano any payback because the No. 22 car passed cleanly. If Dillon’s actions were an act of retaliation, that’s a different story. NASCAR can’t move forward without changing something. This is NASCAR’s opportunity to make a statement, and it cannot let it pass by with silence before the race weekend at Michigan International Speedway

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