"It was ok for Dale Sr. to wreck everybody and get away" - Kenny Wallace compares RCR's past to present amid Richmond controversy

RCR's Austin Dillon claimed a controversial win in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway this weekend. Kenny Wallace on his show compared the actions of Richard Childers Racing (RCR) in the past to Dillion's methods in the race:

In the No. 3 RCR Chevrolet, Dillion bumped Logano out of the way on the last lap of the race. The move caused Logano to spin and Hamlin to crash into the wall. Dillon claimed victory in the race, his first win in nearly two years. However, this win caused quite a stir in NASCAR with many drivers, teams, and fans criticizing the action by Dillon.

Commenting on the win, in the latest episode of 'Coffee with Kenny,' Wallace drew parallels between RCR's past and present. He noted that the No. 3 car has a lot of history. The same car number that Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove is famous for its past wins at Richmond Raceway.

"It was okay for senior [Dale Earnhardt] to wreck everybody and get away with it, " Wallace said (2:44).

Wallace remembered a famous race where Dale Earnhardt Sr. used aggressive driving to win. Another driver bumped Earnhardt, so he deliberately crashed into him and won the race. Wallace pointed out that this kind of bold driving is part of the tradition of the No. 3 car.

"Austin Dillon was wrong I said it last night; yes I yelled that what Austin Dillon did was wrong but that's the way the number three team rolls anytime senior did that," he said(7:50).

Wallace also argued that calling Austin Dillon the bad guy is unfair.

"Austin Dillon is the bad guy now really so you’re telling me the good guy now is Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin?"...You can't have it both ways," he added (8:40).

Moreover, Wallace highlighted how the pressure from NASCAR's playoff system affects players and their racing strategies.

“Back then, you just, there was no playoffs everybody was in the race till the very end. And, you know, nowadays it's like you got three more races to get in the playoffs or you're nobody,” he said (10:06).

RCR's history at Richmond Raceway

Richard Childress Racing has an impressive track record at Richmond Raceway. The team has won nine NASCAR Cup Series races there in 191 starts.

Dale Earnhardt claimed five wins in 1985, 1987 (two wins), 1990, and 1991. Kevin Harvick won thrice, in 2006, 2011, and 2013. Meanwhile, Clint Bowyer got his first short-track win in 2008. RCR has also earned 39 top-five finishes and 76 top-10 finishes at Richmond.

Austin Dillion's first Xfinity start for RCR was also at Richmond in 2008.