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Joey Logano didn’t hold back his thoughts on Austin Dillon after a final-lap collision at Richmond on Sunday.
“Obviously he didn’t make the turn because he hit me and (Denny Hamlin) was going to win the race,” Logano said. “… I beat him fair and square on the restart and he’s just pulling a coward’s trick. He’s a piece of shit. He sucks. He’s been shit his whole career. And now he’s going to be in the playoffs. Good for him, I guess.”
Logano came around the final corner with a car length lead over Dillon, but Dillon crashed into his car and sent it spinning. Dillon then beat Denny Hamlin to win the race.
It’s safe to say that Logano wasn’t a fan of Dillon’s actions.
Jordan Bianchi @Jordan_Bianchi
Joey Logano’s reaction as he watches a replay of Austin Dillon’s final lap collision. pic.twitter.com/EQgwF1msff
After the race, Dillon admitted he acted out of desperation to keep his playoff hopes alive on Sunday.
“I don’t know, man, it’s been two years and this is the first car I’ve had a chance to win in,” Dillon said on NBC (h/t Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg). “With two laps to go, I felt like we were the fastest car… I hate to do this stuff, but sometimes you just need it. I have to thank the good Lord. The last two years have been tough, man. I care a lot about (Richard Childress Racing), my wife, and this is my first… it means a lot to me. I hate it, but I had to do it.”
Dillon’s team even encouraged him to make drastic efforts to get the win, according to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic. The 34-year-old driver is the grandson of Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing.
Dillon will now enter the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs despite entering Sunday’s race 32nd in the points standings. He is one of 13 drivers to have a win this season and no longer has to worry about finishing in the top 30 in the standings, as NASCAR eliminated that rule ahead of the 2024 season.
Although Dillon has a coveted playoff spot after Sunday’s win, the manner in which he earned it will continue to be a matter of debate, especially for Logano and Hamlin.
