“That's not racing”: NASCAR legend not happy about Austin Dillon’s Richmond win

Mark Martin has expressed his disappointment with Austin Dillon's controversial Richmond win. The retired NASCAR legend condemned the "real rough" final lap racing by the Richard Childress Racing driver, which ended his 68-race winless streak.

After losing the overtime battle to Joey Logano, Dillon closely followed the former's #22 Ford Mustang before wrecking it out at the final corner. Furthermore, the #3 Chevy driver lunged towards the inside line and took out Denny Hamlin to clear the path to his victory. While Hamlin posted the runner-up finish, Logano succumbed to 19th.

Dillon's move received widespread criticism, with Martin, too, expressing his displeasure. The 65-year-old has dominated all three NASCAR series and has collectively amassed 96 wins, including 40 from the Cup Series.

"I don't think it's good for our sport long term to be having real rough finishes. Racing side by side, grinding, a little bumper tag, that's today's racing. But we don't want to see these guys wreck [or] get wrecked by racing for the lead. That's not racing," Martin said via Dirty Mo Media on X (0:52).

Austin Dillon is the official Richmond winner. However, his playoff eligibility has been deemed invalid for violating Section 12.3.2.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, According to the rule (via NASCAR),

"Race finishes must be unencumbered by violation(s) of the NASCAR Rules or other action(s) detrimental to stock car auto racing or NASCAR as determined in the sole discretion of NASCAR."

The 34-year-old and his team have been each docked 25 points as well. Nonetheless, RCR isn't satisfied with the officials' decision and will appeal against the verdict.

---

Austin Dillon opens up on his spotter's "wreck him" call at the final corner of the Cook Out 400 race- "He was a fanboy"

Before clinching Sunday's win, Austin Dillon was winless for the past two years. His last triumph was at the Daytona International Speedway, where, the RCR driver climbed from his 21st-place start to registering the victory. Thus, with the checkered flag in sight at Richmond, he was desperate to punch his playoff ticket.

Right after Dillon sent Joey Logano careening into the outside wall, his spotter, Brandon Benesch, asked his driver to wreck the new race leader, Denny Hamlin. As a result, the spotter has been suspended for the next three Cup races.

Dillon addressed Benesch's call and explained that the latter didn't really mean to wreck the Joe Gibbs Racing driver and was expressing the emotions of an ardent race fan. While discussing the final lap chaos with Kevin Harvick, the RCR driver said.

"The spotter going on you know, I think he was a fanboy last night in that race. It would be like having a #3 fan commentating, trying to drive the car up there," the RCR driver said via Harvick Happy Hour on X (0:45).

Austin Dillon has slipped from 26th to 31st place in the regular season rankings, and without a win, the road to the 2024 playoffs won't open for the Welcome native.