When Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski went at it under yellow at New Hampshire

As NASCAR prepares to host the 18th point-paying race of the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, NASCAR on NBC posted a throwback video of Brad Keselowski and Austin Dillon putting the fenders into each other at the 1.058-mile racetrack. Interestingly, the tussle happened under yellow-flag conditions.

The caution came out as the then-Joe Gibbs Racing driver, Kyle Busch spun out on lap 163. Dillon drove his number 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevy next to Keselowski's Mustang and shoved him into the infield grasswork. The RFK Racing driver bounced back from the impact and retaliated by pushing Dillon back.

NASCAR fans witnessed the two cars exchanging 'blows' several times in the race. Brad Keselowski managed to finish seventh while Austin Dillon wound up in P23 a lap down. Both drivers incurred significant damage to their cars.

Here is a video of the incident from the 301-lap event:

Dillon wasn't happy with the way Keselowski had raced him. Reflecting on another encounter with the Ford pilot back in Michigan in August 2021, Dillon said,

"We've gone at it a couple times the last two years. One time I hit really hard. I don't like the way certain people race me and probably not the right way to do it under a caution."

Nevertheless, Brad Keselowski said,

"Hot in the cars and we all let our tempers get the best of us."

As reported by motorsport.com, Brad Keselowski said that he would talk it out with Austin Dillon rather than share his views with the reporters. However, Austin Dillon might not have agreed to discuss the same.

“I don’t talk to him,” Dillon said.

Only time will tell if Sunday's USA 301 will see an update to the Keselowski-Dillon track history. The event will stream live on the USA Network and Peacock, with radio updates on PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR radio.

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Former HMS crew chief was clueless as to why Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski went at each other

No one seemed to know exactly what had catalyzed the incident. Shortly after Busch spun out for the second time, Dillon seemed to show up out of nowhere and nudge Keselowski, starting the chain of hits.

Reflecting on the same, veteran crew chief and sportscaster Steve Letarte broke down the incident in an episode of NASCAR's Backseat Drivers from 2022. But even according to Letarte, nobody had an explanation that could justify the skirmish.

"We have no idea what happened with Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski and then, Austin after the race references years' worth of incidents... Two things: why did Austin take a swipe at Brad, I don't know yet. But then, Brad, like the counter punch, came to the left (of Dillon) and destroyed his own race car," Letarte said laughing.

Nevertheless, Letarte viewed it as the result of the competitive atmosphere that prevails in the sport.

"I'll be honest. I don't think this is anything special between these two... it shows how fragile the whole field is halfway through the season," he added.

As of today, NASCAR is just nine races away from the 10-race postseason. Both drivers are yet to win one this season. Currently, Keselowski is sixth on the standings with 498 points while Dillon is 32nd with 229.