Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway left fans in awe as drivers battled for their chance to secure a spot in the post-season during the final leg of the Cup Series. With just five races remaining in the regular season, tension was high, and everyone was willing to go the extra mile for victory.
However, what should have been an exhilarating showcase of skill turned into a chaotic on-track debacle, leaving many drivers entangled in incidents and caution flags flying high. Among the affected was Richard Childress‘ grandson, who showcased his driving prowess but faced unfortunate events. But his showoff on the track has made him the center of some controversy.
Tyler Reddick’s Mockery and Tony Stewart Flashback: Helmet Throwing Déjà Vu
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The 2.5-mile triangle track of Pocono Raceway played host to the momentous Lap 106 incident that spelled the end of Austin Dillon’s race. Running 11th on the track, Dillon found himself sandwiched between Tyler Reddick and Brad Keselowski. However, as they entered Turn 1, the tight quarters left Dillon with no space to maneuver, and disaster struck. #3 was shoved into the outside wall after Reddick’s car made contact with the RCR’s Chevrolet, rendering it beyond repair. The crash was harrowing and forced Dillon to be taken to the infield care center for a thorough examination.
Austin Dillon could be heard on the radio threatening, “Waiting for Tyler Reddick after the race.” While Richard Childress added, “That little sh*t just wrecked him.”
Tyler Reddick, on the other, was cool as a cucumber stating, “I hope he knows that that was not even close to intentional.” Dillon was livid with the actions of Reddick and expressed his fury by throwing his gloves and steering after climbing out of his wrecked car.
But that wasn’t enough to appease his anger as he threw his helmet at the #45 Toyota Camry. “Good throw, though. Almost got there.” Reddick mocked on his radio. To which his spotter added, “Eh… it was uphill’.
This incident brought back memories of Tony Stewart’s infamous outburst at Bristol Motor Speedway, where contact with Matt Kenseth resulted in both drivers being wrecked. Stewart had famously thrown his helmet at Kenseth’s car in frustration. Now, history seemed to repeat itself, with Dillon similarly venting his anger.
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The incident’s aftermath saw Austin Dillon emerge from the infield care center, eager to share his side of the story.
Austin Dillon speaks out on the incident and his frustration
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In an interview with NBC Sports, Austin Dillon acknowledged hearing claims that he may have moved down the track slightly but firmly believed he was running his own line. He expressed frustration with Reddick’s aggressive driving and suggested he might need to start wrecking other drivers to make his point.
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“I was mad; I heard … that I came down a little bit. Felt like I was on my own, and he was at my left rear, going two or three wide; I think I have at least held my lane. I have got to turn at some point to get down. Brad’s on the outside, maybe a half lane up, but Tyler drove it in there. I feel like he drove in deep enough where he had to drive up into me,” Dillion stated, shaking his head.
"No, I just need to start wrecking some people."
Guess we know where @austindillon3 stands moving forward. Thankfully, he is okay after that heavy impact.#NASCAR #Pocono400 pic.twitter.com/eqO6oGorLE
— NASCAR on TSN (@NASCARonTSN) July 23, 2023
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The race became the canvas for an intense clash that has sparked heated discussions about respect. As fans eagerly wait for the next race, the question remains: will vengeance be served, or will there be a surprise twist in this high-stakes, high-speed drama?