Sunday night’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway concluded in dramatic fashion with Dillon clinching a playoff berth amid a chaotic final lap that left several drivers fuming.
Austin Dillon’s dramatic victory at Richmond Raceway on August 11 2024 not only marked a major personal achievement for the driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet but also stirred intense debate within the NASCAR community.
The win, which came after a chaotic final lap, secured Dillon a coveted spot in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, ending a nearly two-year winless streak. The race was a rollercoaster of emotions, strategy, and controversy, showcasing the unpredictable nature of NASCAR racing.
The Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway began with high expectations, as drivers prepared for a battle on the short track known for its tight turns and strategic overtaking opportunities. The race featured a mix of veteran drivers and rising stars, each contending for a playoff berth.
Dillon entered the race 32nd in the standings, desperate for a win to salvage a disappointing season as the stage was set for a thrilling showdown.
Local favorite Denny Hamlin quickly established himself as a force in the early laps, leading for the first 45 laps of the race. However, the first stage saw Christopher Bell capitalize on lapped traffic to take the lead from Hamlin, ultimately winning the stage.
Teams proceeded to execute a mix of tyre strategies for stage 2. Notably, Daniel Suarez and Michael McDowell were among the first to switch to the softer option tires, which proved advantageous. Suarez’s bold move allowed him to surge into the lead by lap 93 after effective tyre management and strategy in the race.
However, the middle stages of the race were marked by a series of green flag pit stops, where drivers jostled for position both on and off the track. Dillon, who had been lurking in the top five, struggled with a loose chassis that initially thwarted his chances to pass Logano.
He eventually managed to overtake Logano and catch up to Hamlin, setting the stage for a competitive final run. As the laps dwindled, the tension escalated. The race’s final cycle of pit stops saw Dillon, Logano, Hamlin, and others fighting for track position.
Dillon’s strategy to pit later allowed him to rejoin the race in a strong position, trailing Hamlin as the race approached its conclusion.
With just two laps remaining, a caution was triggered, leading to an overtime restart. Joey Logano, who had taken the lead on the restart, appeared poised to secure the victory. However, the final lap would prove to be anything but straightforward.
Entering turn three on the last lap, Dillon made a bold move by bumping Logano and sent him spinning. The incident opened a lane for Denny Hamlin, who was also in contention for the win. However, as Dillon darted down the track, he inadvertently clipped Hamlin’s car, sending him into the wall.
Dillon proceeded to cross the finish line first, securing his fifth career victory as Hamlin finished second ahead of 23XI Racing teammates Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace.
Wallace’s top-five run was enough to move him from a seven-point deficit outside the playoffs 16 to just inside the top 16. He has a three-point advantage in that final playoff position now over both Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing’s Chris Buescher, who finished 18th Sunday night, and Chastain.
Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain was fifth as Joe Gibbs Racing’s Bell, who led 122 laps and won Stage 1 — a series best 10th stage win – finished sixth, followed by Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, Spire Motorsports’ Carson Hocevar, Hendrick’s Chase Elliott and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suárez rounding out the Richmond top 10.
Larson continues to lead the standings — now with a five-point advantage over Reddick and a six-point lead on his teammate Elliott. Hamlin is fourth, only 21 points back.
