A Year After Controversial Richmond Victory, Austin Dillon Wins With No Drama

RICHMOND, Va. — Austin Dillon didn’t face any questions about whether he crossed any line other than the finish line Saturday night.

Just one year ago, Dillon's Richmond Raceway victory stirred a huge controversy and resulted in NASCAR ruling that his contact with Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin was too egregious to award a playoff berth for the win. But this year, Dillon won with absolutely no controversy, as he beat Alex Bowman by 2.47 seconds at the finish.

Austin Dillon celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond

"I'm too tired to be angry," Dillon said. "I got a little cold, a broken rib, a lot of adversity. Some things you don't understand at the time come back around.

"God has a way of putting that timing together. I feel like I was probably the calmest I've ever been tonight in the car winning the race. I didn't act a certain way. I was just thankful for the opportunity."

Dillon entered the race 28th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings but now will be one of the 16 drivers in the playoffs when they start in two weeks at Darlington Raceway. 

Two spots remain in the playoff field.

Tyler Reddick and Bowman would gain those spots if the regular-season finale doesn’t have a new winner. If there is a new winner, one of those two drivers would get the final spot, with Reddick entering the race 29 points ahead of Bowman.

Tyler Reddick greets fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond.

Dillon doesn’t have those worries, as he no doubt has a playoff spot. Last year, the team lost its appeal to the NASCAR decision to withdraw the playoff berth in the wake of the last-lap fracas.

"I'll never forget last year," said Dillon’s