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It took a controversial full-contact finish but Austin Dillon claimed his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in two seasons in Sunday night’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway — vaulting from a 3…
In Sunday night’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, Austin Dillon clinched his first NASCAR Cup Series victory in two seasons through a controversial full-contact finish, propelling him from 32nd place to secure an automatic playoff spot with the win. Dillon’s last-lap move included bumping Joey Logano’s car into the catchfence and then passing Denny Hamlin to claim the checkered flag by a slim margin of 0.116 seconds. Post-race, Dillon justified his aggressive move by citing the nature of short track racing, noting that similar tactics are commonly used by competitors to gain an edge. This win marks Dillon’s fifth career victory and first in 68 races, with his last triumph occurring in 2022 at Daytona International Speedway. Despite facing criticism, Dillon expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized the importance of seizing moments in competitive racing like NASCAR.
