via Getty
FORT WORTH, TX – APRIL 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet, sits in his car during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 Testing at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by John Harrelson/NASCAR via Getty Images)
via Getty
FORT WORTH, TX – APRIL 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #51 Phoenix Construction Chevrolet, sits in his car during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gen-6 Testing at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by John Harrelson/NASCAR via Getty Images)
During the practice session for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, there was a bizarre incident. As it turned out, Austin Dillon ran wide and tried to rejoin in a different section of the track. Unfortunately, he failed to consider that there was oncoming traffic. According to race control, it was the ‘dumbest thing they had ever seen’.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. explained what happened in a hilarious way. The area where Dillon went off the track spilled out near the entrance of the first corner. Obviously, he got the shock of his life when he suddenly found himself in oncoming traffic. Dale Jr hilariously said that probably Dillon almost ‘pooped his pants’ when he appeared on the wrong side of the track.
"He about pooped his pants when he saw those cars coming at him."@AustinDillon3 went the wrong way during practice for the #Rolex24 at Daytona. Thankfully, no collision occurred with on-coming traffic. @DaleJr breaks down what happened. pic.twitter.com/ObkjqoZ2av
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) January 31, 2021
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In the end, Dillon and his team ended the race in third in the LMP2 class and 10th overall. One would suggest that the little off-track excursion proved costly for the NASCAR driver. However, the good news was that the incident took place in a practice session.
Austin Dillon pretty much did a Kimi Raikkonen in the Rolex 24 at Daytona
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At the 2012 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix, there was a famous incident with 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen. After he ran wide in the slippery conditions, he tried to go down an escape route that would have led back to the track. Little did he realize until the very last moment, that the way was blocked.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) races with Jimmie Johnson (48) and Aric Almirola (10) during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
As a result, the Finnish driver was forced to turn around and rally his way back to the track. In the end, the former Lotus F1 driver ended his race in 10th place, though it was enough to secure third in the championship.
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Coming back to Austin Dillon, the driver will be slightly disappointed to finish third in his class. The third-place finish also dented his chances of getting a Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Winner tattoo. Apparently, he had got one after he won the NASCAR Daytona 500.
READ MORE: Austin Dillon Reveals Plans to Repeat NASCAR Daytona 500 Tattoo Celebration if he Wins the Rolex 24
