Denny Hamlin reminds NASCAR about their “responsibility” amidst Austin Dillon controversy

Denny Hamlin made some strong arguments demanding NASCAR to penalize Austin Dillon for wrecking race leaders to win at Richmond.

Denny Hamlin reminds NASCAR about their “responsibility” amidst Austin Dillon controversy

Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon (Via IMAGO)

NASCAR’s return after the season breaks was more controversial than anyone expected it to be because of Austin Dillon’s antics. The No:3 Chevy driver wrecked race leaders Joey Logano of Team Penske Racing and Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing on the final corner of the race to secure his spot in the playoffs.

JGR veteran Denny Hamlin talked about the incident in his podcast, Action Detrimental. He pointed out that he is shocked how much NASCAR has allowed to get the officiating system this bad as they are now hesitant to punish drivers to pull of such blatant move. Hamlin asserted that if NASCAR has to remain a major league, then officiating has to be strong.

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In a major sport because we like to put ourselves in an upper echelon of sports in the world, you have officiating for a reason. I just don’t know why we’ve allowed it to get this bad over time.
Denny Hamlin said via Action Detrimental.

He then went onto remind NASCAR the responsibility they have about keeping things professional in the sport. Hamlin pointed out that the sanctioning body has to prove this to the whole garage and the upcoming drivers that there are some lines that shouldn’t be crossed by making an example out of Austin Dillon.

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And I believe you have a responsibility as a sanctioning body to set an example not only for your competitors but the people coming through the ranks to say, ‘This is how we professionally race. This is how racing goes.’
Denny Hamlin added.
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Joey Logano and Austin Dillon

Denny Hamlin asserts NASCAR won’t be taken seriously if they let this slide

While further talking about the same, he pointed out that if NASCAR refused take action in the coming days they should explain where is line in the sport. He wants the sport to explain if the drivers are allowed to whatever they won’t without any penalty. Unless they make the right call, the sport won’t be taken seriously.

Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon
Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon (Via IMAGO)
And if this is OK, if NASCAR… didn’t rule on it yesterday, if they don’t rule on it today, they don’t rule on it tomorrow, tell me then what is unacceptable. Just crashing someone under caution? Are you saying you can do whatever you want on the racetrack, and it will be no penalty whatsoever? Like, how can you ever take us seriously?
Denny Hamlin said.

The 23XI Racing co-owner has made a strong point with his claims here. NASCAR has to step up and do the right thing. They have to come up with a significant penalty in order to make a point to the rest of the grid.

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