Austin Dillon earns NASCAR playoff spot with Richmond win

NASCAR Cup Series driver Austin Dillon (3) gestures to fans during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Austin Dillon earns NASCAR playoff spot with clutch Richmond win

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 11:14 PM ET

For the second year in a row, Austin Dillon won the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

This year, however, the win came without controversy.

After short-pitting during the final cycle of green flag pit stops to gain an advantage over Ryan Blaney, Dillon was able to hold a steady advantage over the final run of the race to secure the victory.

The win also locks up Dillon's first playoff berth since 2022. The victory is Dillon's second at Richmond, his first of 2025 and the sixth of his Cup Series career.

Dillon led 107 of 400 laps, the second-most of any driver on the night.

"That feels good," Dillon told USA Network. "Gotta thank the Good Lord above. I really wanted that one; this one feels so sweet. I love Richmond."

Make room for the No. 3!@austindillon3 wins his way into the NASCAR Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/Lykktv1u3L
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 17, 2025

Dillon surprisingly noted that, over the last two weeks, he's been racing with a broken rib.

Alex Bowman took away the runner-up spot from Blaney in the closing laps, with Blaney, Joey Logano and Austin Cindric rounding out the top five. Kyle Larson, Daniel Suarez, Josh Berry, Brad Keselowski and Denny Hamlin completed the top-10.

Other notable finishers include William Byron in 12th, Shane van Gisbergen in 14th, Stage 2 winner Bubba Wallace in 28th, Stage 1 winner Tyler Reddick in 34th and polesitter Ryan Preece in 35th.

Byron locked up the Regular Season Championship after Chase Elliott was involved in a crash and finished 38th.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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