Austin Dillon speaks out about Martinsville race manipulation incident

Fresh off of being penalized for race manipulation at Martinsville, and Austin Dillon is speaking out about his point of view. The Richard Childress Racing driver disagreed with NASCAR‘s ruling.

Austin Dillon has been involved in a lot of drama. From Richmond and having his playoff eligibility taken away to being the car Kyle Larson was passing when he spun at Homestead, to apparently blocking for William Byron at Martinsville.

This week, Dillon spoke out about the penalties his team was hit with. It included a $100,000 fine to himself as well sa a few suspensions.

“I mean, they gave me the points situation. I think I need to clear up one thing, the ‘deal’ is that Ross knows what the situation is, that what William’s racing for,” Dillon told Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “That needs to be cleared up. There was no other like ties to that. It was just the situation. I’m a country boy and that’s the fastest way for me to say situation is deal.”

Austin Dillon is adamant that he didn’t deliberately block to help Byron. He was worried about himself.

“No. I just knew that he was coming fast and I didn’t want to get in that because I was going to be an asshole if I passed him or didn’t.”

Austin Dillon didn’t want to ruin his top-10 finish

Pockrass continued to question Austin Dillon. The RCR driver stuck to his guns. It wasn’t so much helping Byron as it was securing his own finish.

“Well, another thing in the back of my mind,” Dillon said. “Passing someone, you’ve got to know what their risk level is, what is the gun held at their head at that point? William’s in a position where he’s got a shot, a one-point shot to go to Phoenix. I know what I did to win a race, right? So, if I pass him and he dumps me and I ruin my first top-10 in five, six weeks that I’m content with where I’m at right there. It was a great run for us in the position that we are. What is the gain in that for me in putting myself in a predicament to once again have another bad day? It’s just, there’s a lot that you have to be thinking on in that situation.”

While Austin Dillon has a point, racing is a risk. There is a risk in every lap. But when Dillon and Chastain, two of the most aggressive drivers in the Cup Series, lay over like they appeared to do, it’s noticeable.

So, do you believe Dillon? Or is he covering up his tracks? While RCR pulled their appeal at the last second, does he have a point? I’m not so sure. Regardless, NASCAR has sent a message.