In an exhilarating race at Richmond, Austin Dillon emerged victorious, expressing his deep gratitude and joy. “Man, that feels good. Got to thank the Good Lord above. I really wanted that one. Last year, hurt really bad,” Dillon said. He reflected on the challenges he faced, including racing with a broken rib for the past two weeks. “This one feels so sweet. Man, I love Richmond,” he added, noting the ups and downs of his racing career.
Dillon emphasized the support from his family, particularly his grandfather, who stood by him through thick and thin. “It could have been easy for him to change the drivers in this No. 3 car, but today it feels really darn good,” he stated. He acknowledged his gradual improvement on high-grip tracks, highlighting his ability to compete effectively by taking care of his vehicle.
Alex Bowman finished in second place and shared his thoughts on the race. “Had a really good car in the last run. Just broke the tires off too much in lap traffic,” he explained. Bowman felt he had the better car but faced challenges that prevented him from overtaking Dillon. He acknowledged the stress of the race and the need for a strong finish to remain competitive in the standings.
“Just need to go execute and try to win the race. That’s all we can really do,” Bowman noted. He also mentioned the possibility of gaining ground on Tyler Reddick, who had a tough day. “We’ve been doing a lot of good things. Unfortunately, just one spot short tonight,” he concluded, commending his team for their hard work and execution.
Ryan Blaney secured third place, reflecting on the changing dynamics of the track. “I felt really, really good 10 laps into the last stage. Went from seventh to second,” he recounted. However, he faced difficulties as the race progressed, ultimately losing tire grip. “I was out there cruising around. All of a sudden, I had no right rear tire left,” Blaney said, acknowledging the challenges of tire management.
Despite the struggles, he praised the performance of Team Penske, with all three cars finishing in the top five. “By far the most fun I’ve ever had at this place. We work really hard to try to figure out how we can improve,” he added, expressing gratitude for his team’s efforts.
Joey Logano finished fourth but faced several setbacks during the race. “We had a really fast Mustang. The car had a lot of speed in it, but we just had to overcome too much,” Logano explained. He dealt with a flat right rear tire that significantly impacted his performance. “It’s just running over crap on the racetrack. Not our weekend,” he lamented, reflecting on the challenges faced throughout the race.
Austin Cindric closed the night in fifth place, expressing satisfaction with his team's performance. “I’m happy with the effort. It’s a shame the restart in stage three went the way it did,” he said. Cindric believed they had a strong car capable of contending for a win. He commended his team for their hard work and strategic execution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive edge on the track.
Other notable performances included Kyle Larson, who finished sixth and praised his team for their strategic decisions throughout the race. “Without the great calls, we definitely wouldn’t have finished up here,” he remarked. Daniel Suarez and Josh Berry also had commendable runs, finishing seventh and eighth, respectively, with both drivers optimistic about their future races.
As the race concluded, Denny Hamlin and William Byron both expressed mixed feelings about their performances, with Byron reflecting on the challenges faced at Richmond. “It’s just really, really cool. We’re looking forward to the playoffs,” he stated, highlighting the team's hard work and preparation for upcoming challenges.
As drivers gear up for the next race at Daytona International Speedway, the excitement and anticipation build. With the playoffs just around the corner, teams and drivers are focused on refining their strategies and performances. Austin Dillon’s victory at Richmond serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and thrill of NASCAR racing, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season.
