"You can't do it 2-3 days later" - Kenny Wallace blasts NASCAR for delayed verdict on Austin Dillon controversy

NASCAR's return from a two-week break was marred by controversy as Austin Dillon's aggressive moves led to a chaotic finish at the Cook Out 400 in Richmond. Dillon's win sparked criticism, with Kenny Wallace among those questioning NASCAR's delay in addressing the incident.

Dillon sent Logano spinning into the wall on the final lap, then collected Hamlin in the ensuing chaos. Despite the incident, Dillon was allowed to celebrate in Victory Lane while NASCAR officials continue to review the controversial finish.

Wallace, 60, believes that NASCAR missed the chance to address the issue immediately and should not make decisions days after the incident. In a recent video, he criticized the association for delaying their response.

"Missed opportunity by NASCAR. If they wanted to put an end to this, they’d have done it Monday night. Okay, you can’t do it two or three days later. This is wrong the way they go about this," Wallace said. (1:13)

"You can’t do that. You can’t come out two or three days later and say, ‘Here, let me get done smoking my cigar. Here’s what we’re going to do now that we’ve thought about it.’ He’s already been in Victory Lane," he added. (1:25)

Wallace stated that NASCAR should have established clear guidelines immediately if they intended to address the issue. He contends NASCAR erred in allowing Dillon to retain the victory.

"Y'all have taken it too far...The reason they missed this opportunity is that if they really wanted to do something, they'd have done it right then. You can't let him go to Victory Lane and then take the win away. So the win's going to stand," he said. (00:06)

Wallace also criticized NASCAR’s response to Dillon’s spotter, who was heard telling the Richard Childress Racing driver to wreck other drivers.

"NASCAR comes out and suspends the spotter because he verbally said, 'Wreck them, wreck them.' Okay, right there, what you did is incriminate yourself. You incriminated yourself verbally all over the radio," he stated. (00:54)

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NASCAR to review Richmond finish

Speaking to reporters after the race, NASCAR's Senior Vice President of Competition, Elton Sawyer, said Dillon's actions were "awfully close to the line." He explained that they would examine all available footage (audio and video) to determine if a penalty was needed.

"It happened fast, but I would say if you look at that, in my view, that’s getting right up really close to the line," Sawyer said.

"Historically, that hasn’t been our DNA to take race (wins) away, but that’s not to say that going forward this wouldn’t start to set a precedent, or do we have to look at it," he added.

NASCAR usually penalizes intentional wrecks but doesn't strip drivers of wins.