HighPoint.com 400
With the move to a single Pocono race per season, it seems the intensity picked up at The Tricky Triangle. Fans watching Sunday’s race were treated to door-banging action, three- and four-wide racing, and enough drama to keep the popcorn popping till Richmond.
Denny Hamlin snuck away with the win in the closing laps, but it was Austin Dillon who claimed the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race.
Rich MARvelous Move of the Race
A. Dillon got into the Turn 1 wall on Lap 106 after inadvertently making contact with the No. 45 of Tyler Reddick. Ultimately, this incident ended the race for the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing driver.
However, in the heat of the moment, after walking from his car to the safety crew, A. Dillon chucked his helmet at Reddick’s car, à la Tony Stewart, 2012 Bristol.
AUSTIN DILLON THROWS HIS HELMET AT TYLER REDDICK! 😳 #NASCAR | @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/0nYgcCtzlZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
Possibly, it needed a bit more arc and maybe a bit quicker release. But, without a doubt, it made for a very memorable moment in the HighPoint.com 400.
Consistently Inconsistent
Additionally, the PPN staff agreed one other item should have been thrown. The caution with two to go when the No. 41 of Ryan Preece spun out – not a lap later when he stalled.
NASCAR officials told media post-race they were “hoping not to insert itself into the finish.” Officials felt it was possible for Preece to get going again before the field got back to him. However, the leaders took the white flag and Preece did not ‘get going again.’
Would we have seen a different finish? The same winner? We’ll never know. What’s done is done.
However, fans can’t help but wonder ‘what if.’ What if NASCAR had maintained its consistency by throwing the caution immediately after Preece wrecked as had been done for the previous 159 laps?
Honorable Mention
Finally, while the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race focuses on the NASCAR Cup Series, we’d be remiss if we left out this phenomenal paint scheme featuring Rich Mar Florist.
Spencer Boyd’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series scheme was done in honor of the 12th Armored Division, “The Hellcats,” and all WWII veterans. This included PFC Artillio Martin.
Martin was the grandfather of Rich Mar Florist’s co-owner, Jonathan Morrissey. Martin recently passed away, leaving quite the legacy of family and patriotism.
Well done, Spencer, Young’s Motorsports, and graphic designer, Shawn Magee.
Chime in and let us know what you feel was the Rich MARvelous Move of the Race!
