Christopher Bell reacts to Austin Dillon penalty: 'I'm happy that he isn't in the playoffs'

Following last week’s race at Richmond, drivers have chimed in about Austin Dillon. Christopher Bell has his own opinions. Of course, Bell’s NASCAR teammate, Denny Hamlin was involved in the incident.

It should come as no surprise that Christopher Bell did not appreciate the move from Austin Dillon. Once Joey Logano was wrecked, Bell’s teammate Hamlin had the race won. Then he got right rear hooked.

While speaking with Frontstretch at Michigan, Bell was honest about how he felt. He thinks it is a good thing Dillon has had his playoff eligibility taken.

“I’m happy. I’m happy that he isn’t in the playoffs because I do think that that… If they wouldn’t have said anything then it would have opened the can of worms, saying hey, anything goes,” said Bell. “I’m happy that they did tell us that that isn’t going to be accepted.”

Christopher Bell is happy to see the penalty given out. Honestly, he should be. As the only driver to make the Championship 4 in both of the last two seasons, Bell doesn’t want the racing to get nasty. He wants to know what to expect going into the Round of 16, 12, 8, and Championship 4.

Christopher Bell on same page as Denny Hamlin

Denny Hamlin doesn’t believe he was a victim of circumstance when he was wrecked by Austin Dillon, and he doesn’t have any sympathy for the No. 3 wheelman.

NASCAR made the decision to take away Dillon’s playoff eligibility, which he gained after his win at Richmond last weekend, due to the nature of his victory. Speaking with the media on Saturday, Hamlin explained why he’s of the belief that it was the right move, and that Dillon had to pay for his actions.

“No, because Austin made a left-hand turn to avoid — after he made contact with the No. 22, made a left turn to correct his course, straightened his course, and turned left again,” Hamlin said, asked if he was more of a victim of the situation Dillon was in last weekend, pushing back against that notion, via Jerry Jordan of Kickin The Tires.

“So, there were two — you know, if you can read the graph, there was a big left, straight, big left again. Trust me, I do this for a living.”

Hamlin has a right to be mad. Those right rear hooks are no joke. He took on more force from that impact than the one that ended Kurt Busch’s career. That is why he doesn’t take it lightly.

Are Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin right in this case?