Proving all your doubters wrong can be fascinating. But you may gain some haters in the process. Holding only two top-ten finishes in the 2024 season, Austin Dillon did not seem slated for great heights. Even Racing Insights predicted a measly 21st-place finish for the No. 3 driver as he started at the back. Yet in a shocking turn of events on the last lap, the No. 3 Chevy made everyone gulp in surprise, and Joey Logano clenched his teeth in anger.

Both the No. 22 Ford and Dale Sr. driver No. 3 Chevy were lingering around the front row for most of the race. But things came to a head at the end, as the two Cup Series rivals faced off in a wild fashion. Yet Dillon proved to be a tad superior in handling things and invited Logano’s ire.

Joey Logano offers a threat to the winner

Austin Dillon’s legendary No. 3 car has some precious memories with its previous driver, Dale Earnhardt, and his fans. The Intimidator was known for his aggressive tactics, especially from the 1999 Bristol race. Although Terry Labonte was the fastest car that night, the last few laps spelled mayhem for him. In Turn 2 on the final circuit, a bump from Earnhardt sent Labonte spinning across oncoming traffic. Earnhardt relished the victory later, just like Austin Dillon.

Dillon’s recent actions at Richmond Raceway seemed blessed by Earnhardt, although an angry Joey Logano fell at the receiving end of it.

With two laps to go at the Cook Out 400 race, Austin Dillon saw his chances thin out with a caution. Joey Logano grabbed the lead on the overtime restart, but little did he suspect that the No. 3 would channel his inner Earnhardt energy. The latter charged into the final corner, spun out the No. 22, and also pushed the No. 11 Toyota out of the way to snag the win. The Team Penske driver was furious at Richard Childress and his grandson, as he fell back to an 18th-place finish.

Joey Logano fumed in his post-race pitlane interview, saying, “That’s chickens**t, there’s no doubt about it. He was four car-length back, not even close. Then he wrecks the 11 to go along with it. Then he’s going to go up there and praise God and everything with his baby. But it’s a bunch of bulls**t and not even freaking close.” 

Further venting his frustration, and piling the blame on Dillon for his loss, the Team Penske driver said, “I didn’t back up in the corner at all. He came in there and drove through me, it’s ridiculous! That’s the way we race…unbelievable. I get bump and runs, I do that…I would expect him. But with four car-lengths away he was never going to make the corner. Then he wrecks the other car, he wrecks the 11 to go win this. So what a piece of crap.” Then Logano added a three-word warning for the No. 8 RCR crew: “Wait and see. “

With Austin Dillon stamping his way into the playoffs, he might have to prepare for a showdown. But despite Logano’s claims, both Richard Childress and he stood firmly by the win. Currently, Logano sits higher up than Austin Dillon in the driver’s standings at 15th, while the latter is 11 ranks behind at 26th.

RCR defends the victory

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Dillon ended his 68-race winless streak at Richmond today and became the 13th driver to carve his way into the playoffs. His determination to win was visible, as the last lap dramatically displayed. However, he had some strong points going into Richmond as well – he was the fastest in qualifying and optimized the option tire strategy.

The No. 3 car also owns six top-10 finishes in the last 11 Richmond events. So after Dillon grabbed the trophy, Richard Childress beamed with pride, defending his moves. “He knew what he had to do and they (Logano and Hamlin) would have done it to him.”

The winner himself defended his aggressive actions on Victory Lane. “I don’t know man, it’s been two years and this is the first car I’ve had a shot to win with. I felt like with two to go, we were the fastest car. Obviously, we had to have a straightaway. Wrecked the guy. I hate to do that, but sometimes you just got to do it…I care about RCR, these fans, my wife.” Dillon further thanked the RCR fold: “We just never give up. I can’t thank all the people enough that helped this team. Yeah, just got to get it done sometimes.”

Despite the controversial finish, Austin Dillon and his team know how sweet the win tastes. However, as NASCAR takes a look at the footage and aligns it with the rule books, the decision could still be changed, and the RCR driver could be up for a hefty penalty. Let us wait and see what Elton Sawyer has to update next.