"Fine him $1,000,000 and it won't matter" - Denny Hamlin dismisses impact of potential NASCAR action against Austin Dillon post Richmond

Denny Hamlin suggested that the potential monetary or points penalties for Austin Dillon after the Richmond victory would be relatively inconsequential. He believes that only a penalty impacting Dillon's playoff eligibility would have a significant effect.

In the final lap of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, Dillon made contact with Joey Logano and Hamlin to take the checkered flag first. NASCAR SVP Elton Sawyer stated that the incident would be reviewed and any penalties would be announced in the days following.

Hamlin speculated on the potential penalties for Dillon, suggesting that any monetary or points penalty would be insignificant. Hamlin reasoned that the #3 Richard Childress Racing driver, who was 32nd in the Cup Series standings before Richmond, had secured his playoff berth after wrecking two drivers for the win.

Speaking on his Actions Detrimental podcast, the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver said:

"I don't fault Austin that much because if he believes he gets no penalty for this, you just live with the result. He could have a DNF every race from here to the end of the season and he just increased his position by 15 spots in the points. There is no monetary or point penalty that affects this whatsoever."

Hamlin reckoned that even a million-dollar fine would be worth it for a playoff ticket. He insisted that the penalty issued by NASCAR should affect the playoff eligibility of the driver.

"It has to be positioning, you did not make the playoffs by doing that, that's wrong. You can fine him a million dollars and it doesn't matter, it's still worth it. You could fine him 200 playoff points, it doesn't matter. He was never going to be 16th in points anyway."

As of Tuesday, August 13, NASCAR has not announced any penalties for the incidents at Richmond Raceway.

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Denny Hamlin criticized NASCAR over officiating in the Richmond Race

The #11 Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin criticized NASCAR officials for how the finish to the Richmond race was handled. Hamlin said that the CARS Tour Series does a better job at officiating races than the premier stock car racing series.

Commenting on the final lap incident, Hamlin suggested that one doesn't need any technology to conclude that Austin Dillon intentionally wrecked two cars to secure the victory.

"If they can officiate in the CARS Tour, where they don't have the technology we have, you don't even need technology to use your brain. That's my problem with it, is that tell me a person with legitimate sense that says 'Yeah that was just a racing incident that the #3 accidentally spun the #22 there.' No, he didn't. He (Dillon) drove in until he spun him (Logano) out as instructed by his team," he said [at 24:35].

After sustaining the right rear hook from Dillon’s #3 Chevy, Denny Hamlin lost the lead and hit the outside barriers but still finished second in the race.