Denny Hamlin recalls controversial Austin Dillon Richmond win, emotions following

Last year at Richmond, Denny Hamlin was put into the wall on the last lap by Austin Dillon in the season’s most controversial finish. Dillon was punished for wrecking Joey Logano and Hamlin in the last turn to win, but NASCAR had a problem on its hands.

A year later, Denny Hamlin returns to Richmond Raceway and is hoping to avoid controversy. He wasn’t going to win the race, not until Dillon wrecked Logano. Then, after one second of leading, Dillon found Hamlin’s car and put the 11 into the wall.

Speaking to the media this weekend at Richmond, Hamlin talked about the 2024 race. It was a whirlwind moment.

“I mean, yes. It’s just, it’s disappointing from my standpoint, but I wasn’t going to win the race anyway, had it not… You know, it was like, I had about a one-second period where I was supposed to win, and the other time I was not. So, it wasn’t like the race I had here in 08 where we led the entire race and then you don’t end up winning. Those are a little bit harder than the ones where it’s like, ‘I’m going to win! Oh, no, I’m not.’ So, yeah, you know, it’s just wild. It’s wild how it turned out when you hear all the radio back. Now, looking back on it, it was just a wild moment.”

That race at Richmond drew the line. NASCAR had to make a statement with their penalty against Austin Dillon, and in many ways, they did. However, it took three days for a decision to be reached when it would have been easiest to DQ Dillon on the spot that night and get on with it.

Denny Hamlin looking for fifth win of 2025

If Denny Hamlin were to win at Richmond, he would have five wins on the season. That would be the most wins for Hamlin since the 2020 season. At age 44, Hamlin is still at the top of his gam,e and Richmond gives him another opportunity to prove that.

Hamlin has been the best short track racer in the Next Gen era. Each week he is in the mix on the short tracks. He has won at Richmond, Bristol, Dover, and Martinsville in the Next Gen. That doesn’t include all of his top-five finishes on the short tracks the last few seasons.

Starting in the top-five today, Hamlin has a chance to win. He has to take care of his tires. Everyone is concerned after practice on Friday. However, if it becomes a tire management race, Hamlin is likely the favorite. He is able to manage his tires unlike most in the Cup Series.

Today at Richmond, Denny Hamlin is looking to repeat his performance from last year. Hopefully, when his chance to win appears, he isn’t met with a face full of wall immediately.