What a chaotic evening. The last lap of the Richmond race offered goosebumps, don’t you agree? But even if you and I agree, Denny Hamlin would not. He fell at the receiving end of Austin Dillon’s surprising aggression, which seemed desperate to claim a much-awaited victory. Hamlin trumpeted his frustration aloud, although pushing Bubba Wallace to emulate Dillon a little.

Wallace just made it into the playoffs, as he continued his top-five streak from Indianapolis. Even his teammate Tyler Reddick snagged a podium finish. Yet their team owner continues to be furious – as Hamlin took out his Dillon anger on Wallace’s low position on the standings.

Denny Hamlin places a demand on his driver

If Austin Dillon can bump and push his way into the playoffs, why not Bubba Wallace? That is how the 23XI Racing team owner feels after falling prey to Dillon’s Dale Earnhardt-inspired moves. Dillon was leading with two laps to go when Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Ryan Preece spun together and brought out a caution. Joey Logano grabbed the lead and Denny Hamlin was hot on Dillon’s heels. But the RCR driver was desperate this time – he spun out both Logano and Hamlin to cruise to victory.

As Joey Logano bashed Dillon’s moves, Denny Hamlin looked positively shocked at the lawlessness of NASCAR. He poured forth his heightened emotions post-race as he sarcastically demanded Bubba Wallace to follow in Dillon’s footsteps. “You should just wipe people out to get in…and there are no rules that inhibit it. He fumed further: “We have gotten here because of the rules we set up – eliminations, playoffs, knock-outs, one-race crew chiefs. We’re trying to manufacture these types of moments. And when we do it, we run silly like tonight.” 

Bubba Wallace ran strong this time, contrary to his search for a top-ten prior to this race. In the spring race, he almost cracked the top-five until a late caution ended his chances. This time, the No. 23 Toyota driver fetched a top-ten qualifying spot (8th) for the third time. And Wallace ended the Cook Out 400 with a solid 4th-place finish after battling it out in the front row for 400 laps.

Yet his team owner, Denny Hamlin, is fixated on the controversial Dillon finish. He further continued his diatribe: “In my opinion, someone has mud in the space. But I think there are probably people in Daytona that love this s**t. They’re the ones that are sending the sport backward.” Indeed, Austin Dillon’s moves closely echoed Dale Earnhardt’s spin of Terry Labonte on the last lap of the 1999 Bristol race.

But along with his team owner, even Bubba Wallace was frustrated. He believed there was more in store for him at this novel Richmond race.

Wallace expected more out of his effort

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The 2024 Cook Out 400 was a unique phenomenon. For the first time in its history, NASCAR used option tires. Alongside the more durable yet lower-grip prime tires, drivers could use high-wear, high-grip option tires. This hugely benefitted drivers who find themselves at the rear of the field. Austin Dillon happened to be the quickest in practice, optimally using the tire strategy. Even Bubba Wallace drove the No. 23 Toyota the fastest in practice on the standard Goodyear tire. Yet the 23XI Racing driver’s heart yearned for more.

Despite a strong run, Denny Hamlin’s driver noted the lackluster points that staggered the No. 23 team’s progress. “We fought hard. We did not have the best day on pit road. Not from a lack of effort. I appreciate them getting better all night. They showed up when it mattered on the last stop – kept us in it. Just execution. Our Leidos Camry was way too loose. I tried to bite my tongue from the start of practice. It was a handful, and it definitely bit us in the race – but we kept making it better and better…I appreciate the effort from my team.”

Three Toyotas – Denny Hamlin’s, Wallace’s, and Tyler Reddick’s ended up in the top-five. Despite that, Hamlin may continue to lament the aggressive finish and put up a retributive stance towards Dillon.