Austin Cindric vs Austin Dillon: Who’s At Fault?

What’s Happening?

Late in Sunday’s Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, Austin Dillon was turned by Austin Cindric into the wall. The crash looked somewhat similar to Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott at Charlotte the week before, where Elliott was suspended for intentionally wrecking Denny Hamlin. Dillon immediately pointed the finger to Austin Cindric after the race saying Cindric “Intentionally wrecked” Dillon, and calling for Cindric to be suspended.

Austin Dillon didn’t mince his words toward Austin Cindric.

“I was intentionally wrecked by him, hooked right, just like Chase and Denny and Bubba’s deal. He better be suspended next week.”

(from ⁦@stephen_stumpf⁩) pic.twitter.com/CpZEwjpzAr

— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) June 5, 2023

• Cindric and Dillon were racing for 12th spot with Ricky Stenhouse Jr when the two collided heading into turn one. Cindric hooked Dillon into Stenhouse Jr, causing a crash. Richard Childress also called the crash intentional.
• This comes amidst Chase Elliott being suspended for the weekend for right-rear hooking Denny Hamlin into the outside retaining wall at Charlotte. Immediately afterwards Hamlin said Elliott should be parked.
• Fans on social media were not as supportive of Austin Dillon. Many do not see the direct comparison to Hamlin and Elliott.

The Main Characters

This is the inciting incident between Dillon and Cindric.

Richard Childress also declared that this was payback.

The lack of SMT data at the race track means it may be more difficult for NASCAR to prove this like it could with Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott.

The technical issues have also impacted pit road as I just heard one driver told they don’t have any timing and scoring and no internet.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 4, 2023

Around the Garage

Kenny Wallace gave his take on the incident. He claims that he expects Cindric to be suspended for next weekends race.

In the Stands

Daddy Luttrell says no way did Cindric intentionally wreck Dillon.

How can anyone say Cindric is at fault? pic.twitter.com/UrCrrg6jWf

— Daddy Luttrell 🏁 (@josephcluttrell) June 5, 2023

Ginger is concerned that drivers will ask for suspensions weekly from now on.

batswag2002 with a subtle Fox jab.

Let’s have a social media competition for the best driver blank stare meme.

Sam Cole sides with Austin Dillon.

I mean…that stat is 100% true…

On Your Screen

Indeed Eric, Indeed.

Danny B is not buying it.

Aye Aye Aye

In the Pressbox

Pockrass does not expect further action to be taken.

NASCAR will review Cindric-Dillon contact to see if penalty warranted…. My view: NASCAR didn't black flag Cindric & rulebook allows "aggressive racing while contesting a position that could result in routine racing contact" so it would need to see convincing data/video evidence

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 5, 2023

This definitely does not seem as cut-and-dry as the Hamlin/Elliott incident. However, NASCAR will review it, and they will make their own determination. The ball is in their court.