Hamlin crossed the road fifth, however was scored second as a result of timing of the warning. Dillon entered Richmond thirty second within the common season factors, however Sunday’s victory has vaulted him into the playoffs and ensures that he is not going to finish the yr any decrease than sixteenth.
“We’re by no means ever gonna get taken severely as a sport as a result of we now have no actual officiating,” lamented Hamlin in a post-race media scrum.
“I knew the No. 3 [Dillon] was going to do one thing foolish in [Turn] 3. I noticed him driving in. He wasn’t going to cease till he hit the No. 22 [Logano].
A product of the championship format
Hamlin went on accountable the present format, which incentivizes successful over every little thing else. “We’re attempting to fabricate these kinds of moments and after we do it and we glance foolish like tonight … your sport has mud on its face. However I believe there’s most likely individuals in Daytona [NASCAR headquarters] who love this shit and so they’re those who’re sending this sport backwards.”
As for the transfer itself, Hamlin declared that “it is clearly foul. It is honest in NASCAR. We’re only a completely different league, proper? There are not any penalties for tough driving or something like that. It opens up the chance for Austin to have the ability to simply do no matter he desires.”
Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: Danny Hansen / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Whereas spinning Logano was ugly, the right-hook that despatched Hamlin careening into the surface wall is much more problematic. NASCAR has set a precedent that strikes like that may and will probably be penalized. Chase Elliott was suspended for one race after hooking Hamlin into the surface wall throughout the 2023 Coke 600, and Bubba Wallace was parked for the same transfer on Kyle Larson the yr earlier than.
“The issue I had, I received hooked in the appropriate rear once more. I am simply minding my enterprise. He turned left and hooked me in the appropriate rear. Blew my rattling shoulder out,” stated Hamlin.
Though NASCAR would not penalize soiled driving until it turns into an apparent security problem, Hamlin nonetheless believes {that a} line was crossed, however added: “It is an invisible line. It is not outlined. I imply, they’ve guidelines and provisions for stuff like this, however they by no means take motion for it.
“What occurs is you see younger guys developing within the quick observe ranks seeing that, and so they suppose it is positive. That is why we see a number of the decrease collection prove the best way they do in these green-white-checkered conditions as a result of a number of the finest that they are seeing on Sunday do stuff like that.
“I imply, who am I to throw stones in a glass home? However I actually by no means received one which manner.”
Logano was far much less civil in his tackle the incident, which will be learn beneath.
