What the Michigan debacle means for Austin Dillon’s playoff hopes
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Jack NicollAugust 23, 2021
Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images
Austin Dillon just finished in the top 10 in Stage 2 of Michigan when his crash with Brad Keselowski ended his race. But what does Dillon’s debacle at Michigan mean for his playoff hopes ahead of Daytona?
Keselowski debacle leaves Dillon’s playoff hopes slim
Richard Childress Racing’s Dillon battled Brad Keselowski for sixth on the final lap of Stage 2 in Michigan.
The third-placed RCR managed to pull the second-placed Team Penske driver into this spot, collecting valuable points in his search for a playoff spot.
Dillon rushed to the apron to cross the line, but his Camaro right back marked Keselowski’s left front.
As a result, Dillon was spit on the exterior wall, destroying the car and nearly overturning.
Keselowski was relatively intact and finished ninth when teammate Ryan Blaney took the win.
RCR has struggled to make headlines this season, with Dillon and teammate Tyler Redick vying for a playoff spot.
With Kevin Harvick now locked in points, 15 of the 16 vacancies have been filled, leaving only one available.
Redick led Dillon by 28 points before the game.
Thanks to Dillon’s third and sixth place before the sinking, he has narrowed the gap slightly to 25 points.
Dillon must win to book his spot in the regular-season finale at Daytona on Saturday.
What to say about Dillon’s crash and playoff hopes?
“It’s the best car we’ve brought to the track this year as an RCR,” he told NBC Radio after his release from the infield care center.
“I just want to get as many stage points as possible.
“The side drafting did a good job, coming to the tarmac, I just watched a quick replay.
βThat was after the start/finish line. I thought he [Keselowski] will give me a little space.
“I thought I had a little room to come up, I guess he just held me too long.”
Despite Richard Childress’s own proclamation “I could kick his ass” about Keselowski, #2 apologizes for his role.
“I hate that I’ve had contact with these three guys,” he said.
“It was really bad for everyone. It really hurt our day and obviously ruined his day.”
How is Dillon doing in Daytona?
Since his full-time Cup debut in 2014, Dillon has excelled on the 2.5-mile supertrack.
Twenty years after Dale Earnhardt Sr drove the iconic #3 machine into the victory lane, he won the 2018 Daytona 500.
Dillon also finished third in the 500 this season and is in the running for the win.
However, on the final lap after a fiery multi-crash, a warning was issued near Turn 3.
He had mixed results in his second race at Daytona — his best finish in 2014 was a fifth, though that included three top-10s.
He was ranked seventh in the 2015 race, but survived early in overtime.
Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images
Is there anything to tell us about this article?
Jack usually writes or reads anything related to motorsport – from Formula 1 to NASCAR to British truck racing. His work as a motorsport reporter has been published in prestigious media such as Autosport, Motorsport.com and Motorsport News. In addition to racing, he is an avid amateur astronomer, podcast listener, and enjoys walks in the park with his three dogs.
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