Austin Dillon’s connection to Richmond Raceway runs deep, having grown up frequenting the track alongside renowned venues such as Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bowman Gray Stadium, all significant in his family’s racing legacy. Dillon’s victory in the 2018 Daytona 500 remains his most cherished achievement, yet he ranks his disputed triumph at last summer’s Richmond race as a close second, spotlighting the enduring significance of the Austin Dillon Richmond Raceway win in his career journey.
Memorable Victory Marked by Penalties and Disappointment
Despite claiming his fifth Cup Series win at Richmond, Dillon became embroiled in controversy when Joey Logano publicly criticized him, calling him a “chicken s**t” driver following the final-lap incident. Both Dillon, his crew chief, and Logano faced financial or points-related penalties, and NASCAR ruled that although Dillon could keep the trophy, the victory would not secure him a spot in the playoffs. As Dillon recalled the moment,
“It was still a big day and I’ll always remember it as one of my favorite wins,”
—Austin Dillon, Driver, he remained proud of the achievement. However, he added,
“We got the trophy, just not the NASCAR Playoffs spot. That part was a struggle, and I hate it for RCR.”
—Austin Dillon, Driver, referencing his team Richard Childress Racing, founded by his grandfather Richard Childress.
Dillon’s 2024 season ended with a personal low, finishing 32nd in points, and the current season hasn’t offered much improvement. Heading into this weekend’s Richmond race, Dillon sits 28th in the standings with no wins, no top-fives, and only four top-10 finishes in 24 starts, making direct playoff qualification unlikely unless he can repeat last season’s success at Richmond or in the finale at Daytona.
Dillon Eyes a Richmond Redemption
Despite recent challenges, Dillon is determined to reclaim victory at Richmond and secure his place in the playoffs.
“This year going back I definitely want to go out there and try to win again, but this time lock ourselves into the Playoffs,”
—Austin Dillon, Driver, he remarked ahead of the upcoming event. Looking back on his prior performance, Dillon emphasized the strength of his car:
“We had a dominant car last year and really came on strong at the end. We had a multiple-second lead and passed two of the best (runner-up Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano) to do it, so that’s pretty cool.”
—Austin Dillon, Driver.
The controversy centered on the dramatic final lap, when Logano—believing himself to be in position for victory—was sent into the wall by Dillon as they entered Turn 3. Although Dillon maintained the contact was accidental, Logano’s anger was evident. On pit road following the race, Logano confronted both Dillon and his team, resulting in NASCAR issuing Logano a $50,000 penalty.
Ongoing Impact of the Richmond Incident
The fallout from the disputed Richmond victory continues to influence Dillon’s standing and aspirations within NASCAR. The denied playoff eligibility weighed heavily on Richard Childress Racing and Dillon alike, even as the win itself remains a point of pride. Joey Logano’s response, along with the penalties faced by both drivers and their teams, underscored the emotional and competitive intensity of Cup Series racing.
As the next Richmond event approaches, all eyes will be on Dillon to see whether he can replicate last year’s controversial but memorable win, potentially turning around a difficult season and finally converting a Richmond triumph into a playoff berth. The lingering feud with Logano, the pursuit of redemption, and the playoff implications promise further drama at a track that already holds a prominent place in Dillon’s racing story.
