It's certainly getting down to crunch time in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, and Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway saw plenty of drivers who were not happy with each other, including Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick.
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The two drivers found themselves in a rough spot, as the No. 45 of Reddick gave Dillon's No. 3 a nudge that sent Dillon hard into the outside wall in Turn 1 during the Pocono 400 on Sunday, July 23.
After climbing from his car, Dillon showed his displeasure with his former Richard Childress Racing teammate by tossing his helmet at Reddick's car as he drove past. You can watch a video of the incident courtesy of the NASCAR on NBC Twitter account.
AUSTIN DILLON THROWS HIS HELMET AT TYLER REDDICK! 😳 #NASCAR | @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/0nYgcCtzlZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 23, 2023
Austin Dillon Sounds off On Pocono 400 Incident
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
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Dillon was frustrated when he caught up with reporters after being released from the infield care center. He told Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass why he was angry and that he wished he would have timed his helmet toss better.
Austin Dillon describes why he was mad with Tyler Reddick and how he wished he would have timed his helmet throw a little different: pic.twitter.com/sMVYcWd4pC
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 23, 2023
"At this point, I really don't know, I thought I was doing the right thing just going into the middle lane of the track, I wasn't on the bottom lane. I was going to hold the middle. He drove up into me from the bottom lane," Dillon said. "I'm pissed about it because, from my perspective, I couldn't see him. I know I was three-wide, but my left front's in front of him. ... He drove in the corner deep enough to try and get me back, like to get his right front in front of my left front. That was not possible with how I drove in the corner, and he wiped me out."
As for Dillon's helmet toss, it wasn't quite at the level of Tony Stewart's throw in 2012 at the Bristol Night Race, but it was still a moment the sellout Pocono crowd will remember.
Following the race, Reddick ended the day with a third-place finish and took the time to explain his side of what happened with Dillon. Reddick told Pockrass that he never meant any harm and hopes the two can have an actual conversation about it.
Tyler Reddick describes what happened on the incident with Austin Dillon, whether he was surprised Dillon was angry with him and what he saw on the helmet throw. pic.twitter.com/b439vtNOfw
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 23, 2023
"I knew we didn't have a lot of room. But I definitely wasn't trying to squeeze him or run him up the racetrack or anything like that," Reddick said. "But yeah, by the time I realized he was going to be coming down across the racetrack the way that he was, I tried to go right to the brake pedal, but it was too late. And, you know, the contact was made."
As for any more problems between Reddick and Dillon, time will tell. But one thing is for sure: Dillon implied in his interview with NBC Sports' Kim Coon that the time for conversation isn't on his mind.
"No, I just need to start wrecking some people," Dillon said.
With five races left in the regular season, there will be plenty to keep an eye on throughout the field. Dillon and Reddick's incident was just another one of many issues between drivers that have happened in this historic 75th Anniversary season.
