Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
NASCAR must send a message: Strip Dillon of dirty Richmond win
NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) celebrates winning the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR must send a message: Strip Austin Dillon of blatantly dirty Richmond win

There's a reason why NASCAR has a reputation in the auto racing world for being "WWE on wheels."

The above video should tell it all. Austin Dillon intentionally drove into the back of Joey Logano to spin him for the lead in Turn 3, then right-reared Denny Hamlin coming to the line to win the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Sunday night.

With the win, Dillon — who was 32nd in Cup Series points entering the night — is now locked into the playoffs ... that is, unless NASCAR does the right thing and penalizes him for reckless driving. It's highly unlikely and would be nearly unprecedented, but it's necessary.

For years now, NASCAR has been playing a dangerous game with ball-and-strike calls when it comes to penalizing drivers for intentional wrecks. Sometimes you're parked, sometimes you're not. Sometimes you're suspended, sometimes you're not. Sometimes an admission of guilt is required, sometimes it's not. 

The only thing the sanctioning body has been consistent with is inconsistency, and it has all led to this moment.

Some will say "Don't blame the player, blame the game" and that NASCAR's playoff system encourages this type of driving. That's a good argument for the fact that Dillon shouldn't be eligible for the playoffs to begin with — and up until 2022, he may not have been, as only drivers inside the top-30 in points at the conclusion of the regular season could qualify.

But it's not a justification for Dillon's actions. Every sport has an unwritten code of etiquette that you can't just do blatantly dirty stuff to win. Dillon laid complete waste to that and put multiple drivers' safety at risk, all just to qualify himself for a postseason format in which he will in all likelihood be eliminated in the first round of anyway.

It's also worth noting that it's not the first time Dillon has done something like this. He drove straight through Austin Cindric to win at Daytona in 2022, in the regular season finale. 

Most famously, he wrecked Aric Almirola to win the 2018 Daytona 500, although that one can at least be debated as a bad block on Almirola's part or at least hard racing for the win gone wrong.

This, though, cannot. It's as bush league as bush league gets, and NASCAR must set the precedent that there is no place for it in the sport. Dillon should be stripped of his win, and disqualified from the playoffs.

Ryan McCafferty

Ryan McCafferty is a passionate sports fan from Herndon, Va, where he follows the Washington Commanders, Wizards.  Ryan particularly enjoys covering the statistical aspect of sports, and in his spare time, he manages RJMAnalytics, a blog in which he formulates and analyzes his own advanced metrics for NASCAR and basketball. He is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington, where he majored in communications and minored in sports management, and reports on local high school sports in Northern Virginia for the Falls Church News-Press

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Rory McIlroy Reveals Why He Didn’t Go To St Jude Championship
Golf

Rory McIlroy Reveals Why He Didn’t Go To St Jude Championship

Last week, the playoffs for the FedEx Cup officially began. The top seventy players of the season have been selected, and they are now off to the races. The first of four events was the St Jude Championship in Memphis, Tennessee. Although it was supposed to have seventy players, there was a notable absence. Rory McIlroy, despite occupying the no. 2 spot in the FedEx rankings, was nowhere to be seen. The decision has led to confusion and criticism. The main question was why he had done it, and now McIlroy has answered that question. Recap On McIlroy And St Jude Fallout Rory McIlroy’s decision has brought him some criticism. Some were calling it disrespectful to the sport and players. People like Johnson Wagner were calling for rule changes to keep such an absence from happening again. He proposed mandatory attendance with wiggle room for emergencies, given that the FedEx Cup has an elimination aspect to it. McIlroy was able to skip the event without any kind of repercussion. Going into the playoffs, he was second in the FedEx Cup rankings, just behind Scottie Scheffler. He was so far ahead of most other players that some people did the math and concluded that he could skip St Jude and the BMW Championship and still be in the race. After the St Jude Championship, McIlroy’s FedEx Cup standing did not change. He remained in second but he will be attending the BMW Championship. McIlroy’s Explanation Ahead of the BMW Championship, Rory McIlroy attended a press conference to answer some questions before the tournament. One of the questions was on his absence from the St Jude Championship, and McIlroy answered that he just needed an extra week off ahead of a very busy schedule. “I just think that extra week off will do me good with the events coming up. Some big events that are important to me—the Irish Open, Wentworth (BMW PGA Championship), obviously the Ryder Cup. I want to try to win my seventh Race to Dubai over in Europe as well. There’s some things that are still important to me that I want to go play in. That was a big part of the reason why I wanted to take that extra week off last week.” During this same conference, McIlroy addressed the need for a rule change after his absence. Mostly questioning if it was even necessary, but ultimately saying that he would support it if need be. McIlroy also pointed out that any rules change would need to keep a lot of people happy, including the media rights partner and the sponsors. Those two like to see big names on the field. Up Next: The BMW Championship Rory McIlroy may have skipped the St Jude Championship, but he’s not skipping the BMW Championship. Nor is he skipping the Ryder Cup, Irish Open, Wentworth, or the Race to Dubai. It was a calculated move, as suspected, but it is for much-needed rest right before McIlroy goes into several big tournaments. McIlroy has nine very busy weeks ahead of him, and he needs to save his strength before each one. For now, though, he is focusing on retaining his position during the BMW Championship this week.

Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)
Soccer

Maria Guardiola’s Summer Bikini Photos Have Fans Losing Their Minds (And We Get It)

Well, well, well. It seems like being Pep Guardiola’s daughter comes with its own set of perks – including the ability to break the internet with a simple Instagram post. Maria Guardiola, the 24-year-old content creator and daughter of Manchester City’s tactical mastermind, recently blessed her 907,000 followers with a summer recap that had fans practically worshipping at their phone screens. Guardiola’s Daughter Serves Summer Looks That Put Influencers to Shame Let’s be honest here – while Pep Guardiola is busy orchestrating beautiful football on the pitch, his daughter Maria is orchestrating something entirely different on social media. Her recent Instagram post, captioned with the surprisingly modest “Summer wrapping up,” was anything but modest in terms of impact. The photo dump (because that’s what we’re calling these strategic social media moves now) featured Maria living her best life in ways that would make any 24-year-old jealous. Bikini shots by the pool? Check. Dreamy restaurant visits that probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary? Double check. The kind of effortless glamour that makes you question your own life choices? Triple check. What’s particularly amusing is how Maria has managed to carve out her own empire while her father is out there making grown men cry over football tactics. She’s not just riding on daddy’s coattails – she’s built a legitimate following that hangs onto her every post like it’s the latest transfer news from the Etihad. The Internet Goes Full Meltdown Mode Over Bikini Shots The comment section on Maria’s post read like a love letter convention gone wild. Fans were throwing around words like “angel,” “gorgeous,” and “stunning” with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for last-minute Champions League goals. One particularly creative fan simply commented “Angel,” which, let’s face it, probably took them a solid five minutes to come up with. But here’s what’s genuinely fascinating – Maria has somehow managed to accumulate nearly a million followers without relying on the typical influencer playbook of manufactured drama and controversial takes. Instead, she’s built her brand on lifestyle content, fashion moments, and the occasional glimpse into the Guardiola family dynamics that most football fans would kill to witness. Guardiola’s Family Life Gets the Social Media Treatment What makes Maria’s content particularly interesting is how she occasionally offers glimpses into life with one of football’s most intense managers. Earlier this summer, she and Pep were caught on camera absolutely belting out Oasis classics at a concert in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Watching Guardiola, the man who probably analyzes his breakfast cereal arrangement, letting loose to “Wonderwall” was the kind of humanizing moment that reminds us these football icons are actual people. The fact that Maria conveniently left out any reference to the Oasis concert in her summer recap is almost too perfect. Because nothing says “curated content” like strategically omitting the moment your tactical genius father transforms into a middle-aged man singing along to Britpop anthems. The Content Creator Empire Built on Authentic Glamour Born on December 28, 2000, in Spain, Maria now calls London home – which explains the effortlessly chic European aesthetic that permeates her content. She’s the eldest of Guardiola’s three children with businesswoman Cristina Serra, and watching her navigate the intersection of football royalty and social media stardom has been genuinely entertaining. Unlike many celebrity offspring who seem to stumble through their public personas, Maria appears to have found her groove in the content creation world. Her posts strike that perfect balance between aspirational lifestyle content and relatable moments that keep her audience engaged without feeling completely disconnected from reality. Why Maria’s Success Makes Perfect Sense Here’s the thing about Maria Guardiola’s social media success – it’s not accidental. While her father revolutionized football tactics, she’s quietly revolutionizing how celebrity children can build their own brands without constantly referencing their famous parents. Sure, being Pep’s daughter opened doors, but keeping 907,000 people interested enough to call you an “angel” over bikini photos requires its own set of skills. The irony isn’t lost on anyone that while Pep Guardiola spends his days obsessing over every tactical detail, his daughter has mastered the art of making everything look effortlessly perfect. Those summer photos didn’t just happen – they were curated with the same attention to detail that Guardiola brings to his team formations. In a world where social media success often feels manufactured and desperate, Maria’s approach feels refreshingly authentic. She’s not trying to be controversial or edgy; she’s simply sharing moments from a life that happens to be significantly more glamorous than most people’s reality. So while football fans continue to debate Guardiola’s latest tactical innovations, his daughter continues building her own empire, one perfectly curated Instagram post at a time. And honestly? Good for her.

Leeds United Move On From Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, Set to Sign Former Sunderland Target
Soccer

Leeds United Move On From Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, Set to Sign Former Sunderland Target

So far, it has been a rather busy summer for several Premier League clubs, including newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds United. The Black Cats have completed an extraordinary total of 11 signings, and recent reports point more towards a 12th signing rather than finished business from the club's board. However, there is also talk of potential departures, and in recent hours, it has been mentioned that defender Jenson Seelt (22) could be heading to the Netherlands. Meanwhile, recent reports suggest Leeds are about to sign a striker who featured on Sunderland's target list this same summer. Leeds United move on from Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz, set to sign former Sunderland target According to Sky Sports, Leeds United are about to sign Dominic Calvert-Lewin, after the 28-year-old striker became available following the end of his contract with Everton. Given his contractual situation, it was logical that Calvert-Lewin would be linked with several clubs this summer, and that's exactly what happened. Some reports placed him on Sunderland's radar, but the Lads ultimately opted for Chelsea's Marc Guiu (19), who arrived at the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan. It was Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie who confirmed that the Lads were indeed interested in the 28-year-old Englishman, although his arrival ultimately didn't materialise. Yes Sunderland were interested in signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin earlier in the window, but I’m told no contract offer was made to the player. SAFC instead pushed ahead for Chelsea’s Marc Guiu and concluded that deal. Calvert-Lewin now signing for Leeds.Keith Downie The press also reported that Leeds could sign Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, but it appears they will ultimately go for Calvert-Lewin instead, with the Cottagers set to sell their Brazilian forward to Serie A side Atalanta. Read More:

Phillies superstar may be building Hall of Fame case
MLB

Phillies superstar may be building Hall of Fame case

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is in the midst of another impressive season. Schwarber entered Wednesday having posted a .249/.373/.578 batting line in his 528 plate appearances this season, hitting 42 homers while driving in a National League-leading 97 runs. The Phillies slugger was named to his third All-Star Game this season and, according to NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, he should be the NL MVP. Schwarber has been one of baseball's premier power hitters since establishing himself in the majors in 2017. He's in his eighth season of hitting 30 or more homers and has reached the 40-homer plateau three times in his four seasons in Philadelphia. The 32-year-old Schwarber may find himself in elite company when his career comes to an end. He has already hit 326 homers in his career, potentially giving him a chance to reach the 500-home run plateau. If Schwarber does hit 500-plus homers, the narrative around his career may change. There have only been 28 players in MLB history to reach that plateau, 19 of whom are in the Hall of Fame. Two players — Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera — are not yet eligible and are expected to be enshrined on the first ballot. The seven players who have not been inducted into the Hall of Fame have been linked to PED use, torpedoing their candidacy. At the same time, his entire candidacy may be based on his home run total. Schwarber has a lifetime .232/.346/.499 batting line over 5,188 plate appearances; although batting average no longer carries much weight for the voters, he would have the lowest batting average of any non-pitcher in the Hall. His 20.7 fWAR has been dragged down by his defense and is unlikely to make him a favorite among the younger voters who put more emphasis on such metrics. Schwarber is marching toward the 500-home run plateau. If he does reach that mark, he could be a polarizing Hall of Fame candidate.