Austin Dillon comments on potential retaliation from Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin after Richmond controversy

Austin Dillon just might have a receipt coming his way after he wrecked both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap of Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway to take the checkered flag and clinch a spot in the Cup Series playoffs.

Logano didn’t hide his displeasure with Dillon after the race, calling it a “chickenshit” move. When asked if retaliation was in store, Logano simply gave a “wait and see.” Dillon, speaking Monday with FOX Sports analyst Kevin Harvick on his “Happy Hour” podcast, addressed the possibility of retaliation from Logano, and it doesn’t sound like he’s too concerned about it.

“The two guys I got into it with have done a lot that I’ve learned from on the last lap of the races themselves,” Dillon said. “I’ve heard Joey’s interviews, ‘How bad do you want it? You gotta do whatever it takes.’ Different things and seen him do it at Martinsville and different places on the last corner. So, this time he was a victim of it and sometimes it happens and you gotta handle things. How would I have handled my interview after the race in that situation? I don’t know.

“It’s frustrating for anybody that’s involved in that, but he’s got a lot more wins than I do and a championship. If he retaliates, he retaliates. I think my grandfather’s [Richard Childress] hilarious; you know he said something, ‘You might kick a dog, but he’ll bite back at some point.’ His quotes are always the greatest.”

Dillon entered Sunday’s race 32nd in the points standings, his worst season to date in the Cup Series. With Richmond being the first of four regular season races remaining, you knew Dillon was gonna do everything he could to take advantage of his strong run.

Austin Dillon speaks out about wild finish at Richmond

While it can be argued whether Dillon’s methods were just, what can’t be disputed is Dillon’s place in the playoffs. He will be a part of the 16-driver field, and that’s because of his move on the final corner at Richmond.

From his perspective, he was in a must-win situation and did whatever it took to make it happen.

“I saw the caution. I couldn’t believe it,” Dillon said. “Don’t know why that had to happen, but I told myself, ‘Hey look, you’re in a position to win, stay focused.’ Pit crew did a good job, put me where I needed to be. The restart, I thought the No. 22 fired pretty early. And he was able to be even with me, getting into Turn 1. His car was a little better on the reds. When we went into Turn 3, at the end, I just had to go for it.

“I went in, sent it in there, got him loose up the track. And then I was able to down-shift and get left, and I saw the No. 11 come across. At that time it was a reaction, but yeah, it’s part of this deal. You win and you’re in, and that was my opportunity.”