That Richmond finish may have had its unique fallout, courtesy of NASCAR’s delay in issuing penalties. But Austin Dillon sure did not make any friends last weekend after he pushed aside the cars of Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin, to claim his first win of the 2024 season. However, none of that manifested into a coveted playoff position for Dillon, and Logano wasn’t shy to voice/act out his frustrations against the #3 car’s intentional wrecking. On the flip side, Denny Hamlin wasn’t nearly as harsh on Dillon as his Team Penske counterpart. 

After all, those two drivers have taken time to build what some would deem an intricate relationship. Whether it’s racing on the tracks of NASCAR or competing for bragging rights on the ‘Hoop Group’ hardwood, these two drivers share a special bond woven into the fabric for friendly competition. But that aggressive conclusion on the last lap at Richmond might have soured plenty of feelings between the duo. Regardless, Hamlin stays focused on the bigger picture, even though Dillon’s most recent actions hint at some concealed feelings.

Austin Dillon’s Richmond win did not cost him Denny Hamlin’s friendship, at least!

The #3 driver has been upfront about his infractions from the get-go. He admitted that although that tap on Logano’s bumper was necessary, his right hook on Hamlin was purely reactionary. The readings from Bozi Tartarevic’s update of the SMT data suggest quite a different picture. But after receiving a penalty from forces unknown this week, Dillon’s controversy turned out pointless.

However, renowned journalist Matt Weaver informed the NASCAR nation on Twitter, “Austin Dillon was scheduled to play basketball with Denny Hamlin and their usual group on Thursday but he didn’t show up and they haven’t spoken yet.” Looks like Dillon’s holding more than just a few grudges. But Denny Hamlin also noted, via Weaver, that “Austin was put in a rough spot.” Hence, he had nothing bad to say about his longtime friend’s character.

During the pre-race presser at Michigan, Dustin Long of NBC Sports confirmed it when he asked Denny Hamlin: “I think you were going to play basketball with Austin this week. Did you guys play? Have you talked…?” The #11 driver coldly replied, “He didn’t come. No, he didn’t come.”When probed further on the matter, he explained the reasons for his demeanor, “I‌ don’t have anything negative to say really, even after this with Austin I really don’t have anything negative to say about his character.”

Hamlin talked about the times he supported Austin Dillon while the latter was struggling for better results with the #3 team, “I really stuck up for him quite a bit earlier in this year when he was going through some pretty tough finishes and things like that, talking about how I really respected his character.”

From a true veteran’s perspective, the sentiment was clear as he announced, “I still do. He just was put in a very tough spot where, you know, you have to make a split-second decision, and he made one that was, you know, not in the best interest, in my opinion, of the sport.” Regardless, Denny Hamlin concluded with a positive message for the man who spun him out of contention for his 55th Cup Series win last Sunday. “So people make mistakes and I think that everyone deserves second chances.”

But with his playoff berth now out of reach once again, one can’t help but wonder: why did Austin Dillon not join Denny Hamlin on the basketball court?

A painful path to victory

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The two will battle for ultimate glory once again at Michigan this Sunday. But there seemed to be a switch in Dillon’s demeanor after NASCAR issued the penalty after Richmond. Before the decisions fell, he told Dale Earnhardt Jr on DJD (Dale Jr Download): “I’m supposed to be playing him Thursday in basketball.” After the governing body docked Dillon 25 points and disqualified his Richmond win from playoff eligibility, he did not hold out on that promise.

Ironically, Dillon also hurt his rib/oblique earlier in the week playing basketball in that same league run by Denny Hamlin. Apparently, his tire carrier & best friend, Paul Swan, aggravated that injury during celebrations last Sunday. It was no doubt a moment to celebrate for Austin Dillon & RCR. In hindsight, the means were unfair, but NASCAR made those involved aware of their highly impactful lapses. His spotter, Brandon Benesch, the voice in Dillon’s ear asking him to “wreck” Logano in overtime, will be out for three races. It would appear that “second chances” are tough to find in a sport as demanding as NASCAR.