NASCAR

NASCAR Cup Series Fans React To Austin Dillon Taking Out Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin With ‘Chicken-S#!%’ Move To Claim Cook Out 400 At Richmond Raceway

By
Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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Sports Editor

Published12 Aug 2024

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austin dillon wrecks to win (1)

After losing the overtime restart to Joey Logano, NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon made sure nothing stood in his way en route to claiming Sunday night’s Cook Out 400. 

Not Logano and not Denny Hamlin. Dillon took out both machines along the final turn at Richmond Raceway. The No. 3 Chevrolet pilot crossed the start/finish line just before an official waived a yellow flag, prompting relief to team owner Richard Childress and anger from Logano and Hamlin.  

“Whatever it takes,” Dillon told NBC Sports. “I hate to do that, but sometimes you just gotta have it.” 

Chris Gabehart, Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, described Dillon’s final-lap actions: “He destroyed us.”

X (Twitter) users replied to NASCAR returning from a two-week Olympic Games break and the dramatic crash-filled last turn of the final short-track regular-season race …

Here’s an on-board look at the ending. Was it worth a two-week wait? …

Logano, the two-time Cup Series champion, spoke his mind regarding his feelings toward Dillon. He called the move “chicken-s#!% …

Logano continued to vent with additional choice phrases …

If Logano seeks precedent, he just needs to look to “The Intimidator” in 1986 …

Not everyone was mad at Dillon after the race …

After the race, Hamlin remained concerned Dillon would not get flagged by NASCAR officials. Will a final ruling come Tuesday? …

After his employee entered Sunday 32nd in points, owner Richard Childress had his driver’s back …

Childress also denied hearing “wreck him” on the team radio right before Dillon’s double-play Sunday …

While the controversial finish surely will be talked about for years, the start, with Hamlin in the lead, seemed innocent enough …

Christopher Bell captured Stage 1, but a third-stage speeding penalty cost him a chance at contending  …

Daniel Suarez, who got married and received a new contract during the industry break, captured the second stage with slick tire strategy …

Martin Truex Jr., who lost the engine early in the final stage, seems to be limping into retirement …

Kyle Larson earned a P7 Sunday, a night after claiming another title …

Sawyer called the option tires “a huge success” Sunday. Here’s a primer on the tire regulations that were used at Richmond …

The playoff chase just got more interesting …

NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer said Sunday night that Dillon “was awful close to the line” of being reckless in his attempt to capture the checkered flag. Sawyer ruled Dillon did not cross the line. A ruling could come Tuesday …

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

Get to know Jeff Hawkins better
Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than three decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  

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