Austin Dillon Captures Sweet Redemption at Richmond

Credit: RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 16: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro/Winchester Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 16, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

(Richmond, VA) Austin Dillon captured his sixth NASCAR Cup Series victory on Saturday and his first win of the season in the Cook Out 400. Dillon delivered a clutch performance, leading 107 laps, including the final 49, to secure the checkered flag. With the win, he clinched a berth in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. The victory was especially meaningful, as Dillon also won last year’s Cook Out 400 but was penalized afterward, which cost him a Playoff spot despite the triumph.

The Rise and Fall of 23XI Racing

Tyler Reddick set the tone early by winning Stage 1 after leading the first 70 laps. His 23XI Racing teammate, Bubba Wallace, dominated much of the race, leading a race-high 123 laps and winning Stage 2. However, Wallace’s momentum was derailed by a costly pit road mistake that dropped him to a 28th-place finish. Reddick’s night unraveled as well, as he fell back to 34th after contact, marking a tough setback for the Toyota duo.

Team Penske Finishes Strong

Team Penske showcased its strength with three of its drivers finishing inside the top five. Ryan Blaney earned his first-ever top-five finish at Richmond Raceway with a third-place run, while Joey Logano charged from the back of the field to finish fourth. Austin Cindric rounded out the group with a solid fifth-place performance, highlighting a strong collective effort from the organization.

William Byron Clinches Regular-Season Title

Despite being caught in a 10-car crash, William Byron fought back to finish 12th and clinched the NASCAR Cup Series Regular-Season Championship. The milestone caps off a consistent campaign in which Byron has led the standings for much of the year, giving him valuable Playoff bonus points heading into the postseason.

What’s Next: Regular-Season Finale at Daytona

The Cup Series now shifts to Daytona International Speedway for a high-stakes regular-season finale, with 14 of the 16 Playoff spots already secured. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman, who finished as the runner-up at Richmond, currently hold the final two spots, while Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece remain on the outside looking in. With Daytona’s reputation for unpredictability, the battle for the last Playoff berths is expected to be dramatic under the lights.